Development of a Textile Integrated Sensor System

Feedback-Assisted Rehabilitation after Surgery of the Anterior Cruiate Ligament

Project Justification

Patients who undergo surgical treatment for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture frequently experience a phenomenon known as “giving way” – a subjective sensation of instability in the knee joint that can persist long after the operation.

This ongoing instability is often associated with inadequate or incomplete rehabilitation and may lead to significant long-term consequences, including chronic secondary injuries and re-ruptures of the reconstructed ligament. These outcomes underscore the critical importance of sustained, individualized rehabilitation strategies to restore functional stability and prevent further damage.

Impressions from the development and production process

EFRE.Stars NRW 2022 Award

Our Approach

The EU-funded research project KneTex aims to reduce recurrence rates and complications following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery by supporting patients in regaining functional stability. To achieve this, textile-integrated sensors are embedded into a smart knee bandage that continuously monitors movement patterns and identifies potentially harmful postures and motions.

In a second phase, a real-time feedback mechanism will be integrated into the system. When a maladaptive or risky movement is detected, the bandage delivers immediate feedback to alert the wearer. This empowers patients to consciously recognize and correct unfavorable movement patterns during both daily activities and therapeutic exercises.

The development combines advanced technologies from textile engineering, sensor systems, embedded software, and biomechanical analytics. In parallel, the project evaluates the acceptance, usability, and effectiveness of various feedback actuator concepts and the overall system to ensure patient adherence and clinical relevance in real-world rehabilitation scenarios.

Impressions of the smart knee bandage

Work Packages, Insights and Outcomes

The EU-funded KneTex project aims to reduce recurrence rates and complications after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery by helping patients regain functional stability. To achieve this, smart knee bandages with textile-integrated sensors are developed to monitor movement patterns in real time and detect potentially harmful postures and motions.

In a second development phase, these bandages will be equipped with real-time feedback mechanisms. When the system identifies a maladaptive or risky movement, it provides immediate feedback, enabling patients to recognize and correct movement errors during everyday activities and therapeutic exercises.

The solution integrates advanced technologies from textile engineering, sensor technology, embedded systems, and biomechanical data analysis. To ensure practical applicability, the project also investigates the usability, acceptability, and effectiveness of different actuator feedback approaches and the system as a whole.

Within this framework, IXP contributes its expertise in health-related and ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications) requirement analyses, the conceptual design of graphical user interfaces for intuitive motion data visualization, and the planning and execution of user studies and functional evaluations in accordance with medical product standards.