| Proj No. | A1039-251 |
| Title | Robotic-assisted cooling therapy: algorithm development for personalized therapy |
| Summary | Cooling therapy is a widely used non-pharmaceutical approach to managing pain and inflammation, particularly in postoperative recovery and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Despite its clinical benefits, there is currently no gold standard for determining the optimal temperature, duration, and frequency of cooling therapy, leading to inconsistent patient outcomes. Existing solutions, such as ice packs and conventional cooling devices, suffer from limitations including poor adherence, rapid loss of cooling efficiency, and lack of real-time temperature monitoring. To address these challenges, this project focuses on developing an intelligent, personalized cooling therapy system that dynamically adjusts cooling parameters based on individual patient responses. By integrating thermoelectric cooling technology, real-time physiological monitoring, and adaptive control algorithms, this system aims to enhance the effectiveness of cooling therapy while reducing painkiller dependency in post-surgical care. Key innovations include a wearable and portable design, ensuring ease of use for both inpatients and outpatients. Unlike traditional cooling devices, which rely on static temperature settings, this intelligent system continuously monitors skin temperature and adjusts cooling intensity for personalized therapy. Clinical trials at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine will validate the system’s efficacy in reducing postoperative pain, minimizing swelling, and improving patient adherence. Furthermore, this project aims to establish an evidence-based clinical guideline for personalized cooling therapy, optimizing cooling parameters to maximize therapeutic benefits. Strategic collaboration with Swiss FPGA design company Enclustra will enhance system efficiency and commercialization potential. By pioneering a data-driven, patient-centric approach, this project seeks to revolutionize cooling therapy, providing a scalable, clinically validated alternative to pharmaceutical pain management and significantly improving recovery outcomes in post-surgical rehabilitation. |
| Supervisor | Ast/P Huang Hen-Wei (Loc:S2 > S2 B2A > S2 B2A 08, Ext: ?) |
| Co-Supervisor | - |
| RI Co-Supervisor | - |
| Lab | Schaeffler Hub for Advanced Research (SHARE) at NTU (Loc: S2.1-B4-01a) |
| Single/Group: | Single |
| Area: | Intelligent Systems and Control Engineering |
| ISP/RI/SMP/SCP?: |