Why Spinaflex?
Scoliosis treatment can be a long and expensive process, especially for children undergoing growth spurts where frequent brace replacements are necessary. By introducing an adjustable scoliosis brace, we aim to significantly reduce the financial burden on families. Our design will not only be more affordable due to its customizable, expandable structure but also enhance patient comfort, a crucial factor for compliance with long-term wear. Additionally, by using recycled and sustainable materials in the brace's construction, we are creating an environmentally friendly solution that aligns with modern sustainability goals. Furthermore, integrating sensor technology into the brace will empower patients and doctors alike. Patients will receive real-time insights into their treatment progress, while healthcare professionals can analyze data from these sensors to provide more precise, personalized treatment recommendations. This data-driven approach improves medical outcomes and fosters a more connected, informed patient experience. Our mobile application will complement the brace by offering scoliosis-specific exercise routines and reminders, encouraging patients to remain active and adhere to their treatment plans. Recognizing that many children with scoliosis experience lower self-esteem due to brace usage, our app and social media platforms will share motivational content and psychological support resources to promote a positive mindset throughout the treatment journey. Together, these innovations promise to revolutionize scoliosis care, delivering a more effective, sustainable, and supportive solution for patients and their families.
Patient Feedback
Lidya, a past scoliosis patient that had to receive surgery due to the high degree of her scoliosis, used brace briefly for the after-surgery recovery period. She states that especially the comfortable and user-friendly design of Spinaflex is amazing and really promising considering all the pain and irritation normal braces cause. She also shared her ideas on our app and stated that the exercise notification feature of our app is an essential part since most of the patients cannot keep the track of their exercies, thus slowing the treatment process.
Expert Feedback
Mr. Yusuf, a medical technican from AsyaMed, our partner medical company, states that Spinflex is really promising, especially considering its sensor and AI powered technology. He also implied that our design might allow serial production in the future, increasing accessibility and availability for many patients and in the market.
Our Impact Until Now
For SpinaFlex, we received feedback from two experts in the orthopaedic and medical field. They provided suggestions on design, process and sensors. One of the experts organised a workshop that allowed us to learn more about the scoliosis brace manufacturing process. We also interviewed a patient who has undergone surgery and another patient who uses a brace, listened to their experiences and developed our design in line with their suggestions. In order to raise awareness of scoliosis, we contribute to society by sharing current posts about our project on our website and social media accounts.