A team of UGM students has successfully innovated in the health sector by creating sandals equipped with Loadcell-Accelerometer technology to assist patients with lower extremity bone fractures.
These sandals are designed to help patients perform weight-bearing exercises and range of motion activities more accurately during their recovery process.
This innovative product was developed by a team of UGM students, including Maya Aida (Health Information Management, Vocational College (SV UGM), class of 2022); Aditya Kyran Santoso (Electronics and Instrumentation, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM), class of 2022); and Nathasya Angelliya (Nursing Science, UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), class of 2022).
The other team members were Ignatius Gerald Handono (Electronics and Instrumentation, FMIPA UGM, class of 2022) and Bitta Nathaniela Purwoko (Health Information Management, SV UGM, class of 2023).
Throughout the development process, the team received guidance from their supervising lecturer, Dina Fitriana Rosyada.
Maya Aida, the team leader, explained that their health innovation addresses the challenges in monitoring weight-bearing exercise achievements often faced by orthopedic doctors and bone fracture patients.
The idea for the Loadcell-Accelerometer Sandal originated from concerns about a lower extremity fracture patient at RSUP Dr. Sardjito Yogyakarta. The patient is also an HRD practitioner in MSMEs and has previously shared entrepreneurial knowledge at UGM.
“We then raised this issue in our research as part of our creativity program,” Aida stated at UGM on Thursday (Sep. 26).
Aida further explained that the therapy sandals are equipped with loadcell and accelerometer sensors that can measure and provide real-time feedback to users regarding weight distribution and correct steps for the fractured leg.
The sandals are also integrated with a smartphone application for communication, allowing orthopedic doctors to set load percentage recommendations and monitor the patient’s weight-bearing exercises.
“These therapy sandals can facilitate orthopedic doctors and patients in monitoring the achievement of weight-bearing exercises, generally starting from the fourth week after lower extremity fracture surgery, gradually enabling patients to walk without assistive devices,” she explained.
Angelliya added that the prototype is currently applying for a patent to protect its work and encourage broader usage in the medical/health field.
“The creativity behind these sandals for foot fracture patients supports enhancing community health and well-being. The use of load cell and accelerometer sensor technology in this innovation opens opportunities for further application in developing science and technology in health,” she added.
According to Ignatius Gerald Handono, the success of this innovation is attributed to the team’s collaboration and dedication to developing innovative solutions that integrate technology and health. They hope these therapy sandals will be a reliable aid for patients undergoing post-fracture therapy for the lower extremities.
During the development process, the UGM team expressed gratitude for the assistance of orthopedic doctor Dananjaya Putramega, MD, who played a vital role in ensuring that the sandals’ design and function met patient needs.
“With this innovation, we hope to assist lower extremity fracture patients in monitoring the achievement of weight-bearing exercises and steps during their recovery process, allowing for a smoother recovery so patients can return to normal activities more quickly and safely,” Handono concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afif