Developed by PolyU, the “AI-Assisted Design of Functional Clothing for Scoliosis Treatment” has won a “Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury” at the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (Geneva Inventions Expo).
This new approach significantly improves scoliosis treatment and the quality of life for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients by adopting AI to create tailor-made functional clothing for treating AIS. Patient data is used to train a decision tree and three neural networks to prescribe and configure the brace, which is then customised by professionals. Optimised designs, such as padding placement, tightness of elastic straps and configurable 3D structures, are suggested to enhance functionality, increase wearing comfort, and reduce the wearer’s spinal curvature. This makes an excellent alternative to the heavy and uncomfortable traditional braces prescribed by orthotists.
The technology was developed by a PolyU research team led by Dr Joanne Yip, who has founded the startup Active Biotechnology (Hong Kong) Company Limited to commercialise the research outcome. Their products address the needs of adolescents with mild scoliosis and provide patients undergoing bracing treatment with alternatives that do not compromise their quality of life, benefitting mankind with innovative technology and bringing positive impact to society.
Over a thousand invention projects participated in the Geneva Inventions Expo. PolyU achieved breakthrough results, with 28 invention projects winning a total of 31 awards, including 3 Special Prizes, 5 Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury, 12 Gold Medals, 5 Silver Medals, and 6 Bronze Medals. The exceptional performance of PolyU teams at the exhibition underscores the University’s aspiration to harness its excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer to drive PolyImpact – inventions and innovations by the PolyU community that create long-lasting, real-world impact.
Research team:
Dr Joanne Yip Yiu-wan, Associate Dean and Associate Professor, School of Fashion and Textiles, PolyU; Founder, Active Biotechnology (Hong Kong) Company Limited (PolyU academic-led startup)
Mr T. H. Alex MAK, Computer Scientist, School of Fashion and Textiles, PolyU
Dr LO Wai-sum, Chief Technology Officer, Active Biotechnology (Hong Kong) Company Limited
Ms CHEUNG Hoi-yan, PhD student, School of Fashion and Textiles, PolyU
Ms LIU Pak-yiu, Instructor, School of Fashion and Textiles, PolyU
Dr LIANG Ruixin, Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design, PolyU
Dr ZHANG Jun, Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design, PolyU
Ms MA Jingyi, Research Assistant, Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design, PolyU
Dr Y. Brian CHEN, Associate Professor, Lehigh University, US
Dr YICK Kit-lun, Associate Professor, School of Fashion and Textiles, PolyU
