Ensuring innovation freedom: AI-based digital biomarkers for back health
Written by: Mathieu Stremsdoerfer, Co-Founder and CEO, Healactively
At Healactively, our mission is to provide AI-driven, science-backed solutions for back health. We believe innovation should be accessible and benefit as many people as possible. With that in mind, we are publicly disclosing our AI-based musculoskeletal health monitoring system, ensuring that these concepts remain available for further research and development—preventing restrictive patent claims from limiting progress.
This article serves as a formal defensive disclosure. The system described here was originally part of a US Provisional Patent filed on 27/02/2024. By publishing this information, we establish it as prior art, which means it cannot be patented by another entity in a way that would block others from innovating in this space.
Our AI-driven digital biomarkers system - key innovations and features
Our AI-based musculoskeletal assessment system analyzes movement, posture, and user feedback to provide real-time insights into back health. The system uses:
1. Digital biomarkers for back health
Our system leverages various types of digital biomarkers to assess musculoskeletal conditions:
- Visual Biomarkers: AI-powered posture tracking, spinal alignment, and gait symmetry analysis.
- Movement Biomarkers: AI-driven detection of compensatory movements, stability, and balance shifts.
- Interaction Biomarkers: Analysis of touchscreen and keyboard use as indicators of discomfort.
- Facial Expression Biomarkers: AI-based tracking of facial tension, fatigue, and pain during movement.
- Multi-Sensor Integration: Optional use of smartphone accelerometers and EMG data to enhance assessment accuracy.
2. Machine learning for biomarker selection & refinement
The system continuously updates and refines biomarker datasets by:
- Using statistical models and AI clustering techniques to determine which biomarkers are most predictive for a given user.
- Dynamically adjusting exercise recommendations based on biomarker trends.
- Refining recommendations by comparing user data to a global database of musculoskeletal patterns.
3. Adaptive AI for personalized therapy
- The system provides real-time exercise recommendations based on biomarker trends and historical data.
- Users are grouped into cohorts based on movement patterns, allowing personalized therapy progression.
- Continuous learning: The AI refines exercise prescriptions as new movement and pain data is collected.
4. Automated validation of digital biomarkers
One of the most innovative aspects of the system is its ability to measure the correlation between biomarkers and user outcomes.
- Traditional digital biomarkers often rely on static definitions. Our system enables continuous real-world validation.
- The system self-updates based on observed clinical improvements and pain reduction trends.
Why we are disclosing this now
- This AI-based back health system was initially described in a US Provisional Patent filed on 27/02/2024.
- Rather than proceeding with a full patent filing, we are placing this information into the public domain.
- By disclosing it publicly, no company can later claim exclusive patent rights over these concepts, ensuring that researchers and developers can freely build upon this innovation.
What this means for the industry
This defensive disclosure protects:
- Healthcare innovators and researchers, ensuring they can work on AI-driven musculoskeletal solutions without fear of patent blocking.
- Clinicians and physiotherapists, allowing them to leverage digital biomarkers in patient care.
- Tech companies, enabling them to integrate biomarker-based assessments into future digital health tools.
Final thoughts
At Healactively, we believe that the future of musculoskeletal health should be shaped by collaboration, not restrictive patents. By disclosing our AI-based system and digital biomarker methodology, we are ensuring freedom to operate for both ourselves and the broader health tech community.