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The project : Develop “the” solution for optimal management of ankle sprains.
Our mission : Support the physiotherapist-inventor in developing his idea and launching it in the market.
Jean-Marie Houmard is a physiotherapist practicing in both a clinic setting and a sports club. He has decided to “tackle the issue of lateral ankle sprains,” which currently account for over 6,500 emergency room consultations per day and have one of the highest recurrence rates (over 50% recurrence!). To stop this degenerative cascade, he engaged The Use Factory to help develop his innovative idea.
In the course of this project, research into foot biomechanics and the design of implementing mechanics to specifically target this joint were major focal points. This was followed by creating systems to secure the foot within the device and designing the most appropriate exercises.
This design led to the filing of a patent.
To provide an appropriate response to the challenges, The Use Factory team immersed themselves in the subject of the ankle by exploring its anatomy, biomechanics, traumatology, typical rehabilitation pathways, scientific literature, and by conducting interviews with experts in the field. This extensive data collection gave the team the foundational knowledge needed to create and find solutions in line with the subject’s complexity.
The creativity sessions conducted by The Use Factory, always in collaboration with Jean-Marie Houmard, the driving force behind the Ankle Box project, facilitated the emergence of numerous concepts. Multiple prototypes were developed to gain an initial impression of the potential solution. During this phase, the project team focused on designing a complete solution that could support many exercises.
Through an initial level of electronic prototyping, we were able to test and evaluate the kinematics, forces, and posture of various test subjects, marking a preliminary step in validating the therapeutic potential of the concept.
Once the product’s functions and performance were refined through this initial prototype, it became possible to initiate the development of a complete integrated demonstration prototype. This version was intended to include different options for variations and adaptations, especially in the foot attachment systems.
The rehab device features connected sensors. A tablet guides exercises in real-time and gathers data to create a report usable by the physiotherapist. Considerable effort has been directed towards the usage scenarios and the ergonomics of the HMI interface to ensure that both the patient and the healthcare provider can benefit from a seamless and intuitive navigation experience.
The demonstrator facilitated numerous tests with a diverse audience, particularly athletes, as shown in the adjacent photo, where the initial prototype tests were conducted at the Cesson Handball Club. These tests enabled the verification and refinement of the product’s characteristics and performance, contributing to the specifications for the industrial version of Ankle Box.
“When you come up with an innovative idea, you’re often alone in dealing with many aspects to coordinate. With The Use Factory, I’ve got a real experienced partner to help with the design and all aspects of the project!”
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