An intelligent knee pad design for use in the treatment of knee ostheoartritis

Nowadays, in the treatment of various diseases and pain, electrical stimulation is given to the diseased region. With transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy, large nerves which cause pain is stimulated and pain signal flow to the small nerves that transmit pain to brain is decreased. Many studies have shown that electrical nerve stimulation therapy is effective in reducing the pain of patients when properly and consistently performed. TENS therapy is typically applied with conductive hydrogel electrodes to the treatment zone where body nerves are stimulated by electrical current. TENS electrodes made of conductive silica gel hydro-materials reduce skin resistance. However, their viscous structure causes feeling of discomfort. Unable to be washed and being not hygienic because of repeated use are other disadvantages of these products. In this study, an intelligent knee pad has been designed. Designed knee pad has integrated textile electrodes and is washable. It is aimed to remove the hygiene problem encountered during conventional electrode use and the comfort problem caused by viscous structure with the developed knee pad. The study was started with the design and production of textile electrodes, which can be used as TENS electrodes. TENS electrodes have been developed with different patterns and stitch densities using different conductive yarns and production techniques and electrical resistance values of these electrodes have been evaluated. In order to remove the hygiene problem, the electrodes were considered to be washable and repeated washing tests were performed on the electrodes. The developed electrodes were connected to a commercially available TENS device and electrical current transmission on subjects were tested. After the electrode tests were completed and the most suitable electrode to be used as a TENS electrode has been identified, the electrodes were integrated into a knee pad. In contradistinction to electrode design, new transmission paths formed by conductive yarns were used instead of transmission cables for the connection between the electrodes on the knee pad and TENS device. Developed knee pad was planned to use on patients with knee osteoarthritis for therapeutic purpose.