Wearable Wrap Detects Blood Clots and Swelling in Joints

This patent describes a smart wrap for joints like knees or elbows that uses temperature sensors to spot early signs of dangerous blood clots and stretch sensors to detect swelling during recovery.

What it covers

The device includes a wrap designed for a patient's joint, such as a knee, elbow, wrist, hip, ankle, or shoulder (Claim 1). It has at least two temperature sensors: a first sensor on the back of the joint and a second sensor on the front (Claim 1). A built-in processor analyzes the temperature difference between these two points. If the processor detects an 'elevation' (a significant difference) between the front and back temperatures, it determines this is indicative of an embolism, or blood clot, and provides a diagnostic output (Claim 1). For example, if a patient recovering from knee surgery wears the wrap, and the front of their knee becomes much warmer than the back, the device could alert them or their doctor to a potential embolism (Claim 3). The device can also include stretch sensors to detect changes indicative of swelling at the joint (Claim 7, 8), combining this data with temperature readings for a more comprehensive assessment (Claim 9).

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover general body temperature monitoring without specific front-to-back joint temperature comparison.
• —Does not cover embolism detection methods that do not rely on a temperature elevation between a front and back joint position.
• —Does not cover wearable devices that monitor physiological conditions without a wrap specifically for a joint.
• —Does not cover detection of conditions other than embolism or swelling, unless explicitly derived from the claimed temperature and stretch sensor data.
• —Does not cover devices that use only a single temperature sensor to detect medical abnormalities.

The clever bit

The novelty lies in the specific combination of a wearable joint wrap with two strategically placed temperature sensors (front and back of a joint) to detect a temperature difference that specifically indicates an embolism, alongside optional stretch sensors for swelling.

Why it matters

This technology aims to improve patient safety during rehabilitation from injuries or surgeries by providing early detection of serious complications. Conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening, and this device offers a non-invasive way to monitor for their early signs. By providing timely alerts, it could help medical support personnel intervene sooner, potentially preventing severe health outcomes and optimizing a patient's recovery program.

Real-world examples

• 1.Smart rehabilitation braces
• 2.Post-surgical monitoring wearables
• 3.Remote patient monitoring systems for orthopedic recovery