Equipments & Researches - Biomechatronics Lab
Corrective Excercise and Sports Rehabilitation Laboratory
Title
Simi Motion
Simi Motion provides an extensive platform for motion capture and 2D/3D movement analysis. Simi Motion can be tailored to the needs of the specific user. A range of configurations are possible to suit those who would prefer to conduct quick and simple analyses as well as for those of a more scientific background, wishing to solve complex problems.
Simi Motion uses no infrared technology but utilizes image based techniques. High quality video recordings with high frame rates and high resolutions are captured and saved using synchronized industrial cameras. Using the latest algorithms of image processing, Simi Motion can capture motion in detail and calculate 2D/3D data. As with the other systems, Simi Motion has marker based automatic tracking to calculate marker positions. It is however also possible to track using markerless methods, such as pattern matching or silhouette tracking using no markers.
Simi Motion offers the complete range of recording, processing, editing and analysis of data. Movement recordings with synchronised cameras, in addition to the logging of data from supplementary measuring devices EMG and force plates.
Force Plate
With force plates, gait analyses deliver precise and reliable results.
It is Multicomponent Force Plate-Type 9286B. Portable multicomponent force plate with aluminum top plate for measuring ground reaction forces, moments and the center of pressure in biomechanics.
• Excellent accuracy of center of pressure (COP)
• Very wide measuring range
• Easy mounting
• Flexible, mobile application
Rather than conventional frame mounted force plates, the multicomponent force plate Type 9286B... can simply be used on any flat surface. This drastically cuts installation costs. The plate's low overall height of just 35 mm and weight of under 18 kg allows flexible, portable use. The piezoelectric 3-component force sensors have very low crosstalk values and in conjunction with the special design principle ensure excellent accuracy of the center of pressure.
This force plate is designed specifically for use in gait and balance analyses. The Type 9286BA has a built-in charge amplifier compatible with all of the common motion analysis systems. Despite the very wide measuring range (0 ... 10 kN), this force plate offers excellent accuracy and linearity over the entire spectrum of applications (4 measuring ranges) and guarantees overload protection up to 12 kN.
EMG s- MT8 Telemetry System
MT8 /Biomedical Radio Telemetry System in MIE Medical Research.
A versatile eight channel portable radio telemetry system offering advanced features for the remote monitoring of EMG and numerous transducers without the encumbrance or inconvenience of trailing wires.
For those who require to monitor EMG, a full electrode kit is provided, including eight miniature pre-amps. EMG pre-amplifiers are available in fixed gains of x1000 for large muscle groups and vigorous exercise, x4000 for normal use and x8600 for measuring small or weak muscle actions or testing small children. The electrode kit comes complete with all necessary accessories.
The system comes complete with a 16 channel 12 bit interface card and Procure, our data collection software package. This is a basic data collection software package which allows you to store the collected data in ASCII format. It also displays all eight channels in real time on your PC.
Novint Falcon in Game-based Upper Limb Rehabilitation
Interaction with computers and virtual environments is almost totally based on visual displays, along with auditory feedback. Haptic interfaces attempt to solve this problem by coupling the human sense of touch with a computer-generated world. Haptics is the science of applying tactile sensation and kinesthesis to interaction with computer applications. By using special input/output devices (joysticks, data gloves, or other devices), users can receive feedback from computer applications in the form of sensations felt in the hand or other parts of the body. These sensations include forces, vibrations and/or motions. The aim of this tutorial is to provide participants with an overview of the technical aspects of haptic feedback and provide information about different haptic feedback devices and applications of these devices using virtual reality and computer simulations for motor rehabilitation, learning and teleoperation. The tutorial will include opportunities for hands-on practice with haptic devices and different environments. The haptic devices available for hands-on practice will include the Novint Falcon.
This goal of this section is to highlight existing research that use the haptic device Novint Falcon for rehabilitation. The field of gamebased rehabilitation is not unknown however using the Novint Falcon in conjunction with it is somewhat new.Research has generally been concerned with establishing whether or not the Novint Falcon is a feasible haptic device for rehabilitation. One study used the falcon as a device to train fine motor skills by teaching children how to draw letters.
Roomba Mobile Robot for Fall Detection of Elderly-Care
Roomba i-Robot as a mobile robot is used to detect human fall and report it to their observers. The mobile robot consists of a cleaner home mobile robot, a sensor (Microsoft’s Kinect), and a computer (PC) to detect a human and control the robot.
For simplicity of the robot and accurate fall detection, the sensor is installed on the robot to follow the target harmoniously. Thus, the sensor can move around with the robot to minimize blind area.
We use a circular vacuum cleaner robot widely used in homes. It is lightweight and equipped with wheels and bumpers. USB is used for serial communication. Since the connection to a PC is easy, we thought this type was suitable for development. In addition, we used Kinect sensors to monitor the behaviors of the elderly, which enabled us to know the distance between the robot and the subject. Kinect can calculate the depth of each point on the screen by triangulation, using the reflection of the projected infrared laser. Thus, we could detect the distance in 3D. Unlike the image recognition from a camera, these characteristics enabled us to detect detailed body movements.
PT-SCAN
Foot pressure measurement can be used in real clinical setting. The pressure distribution and timing information provide valuable insight on a variety of biomechanical and neurological disorders, as well as aiding in treatment and prevention of wounds caused by high foot pressure. Foot scanning systems and the pressure mapping technology captures plantar pressure data from heel contact to toe off and provides objective, quantifiable data. Accurate measurement of foot pressure distribution throughout the gait cycle illuminates gait asymmetries and provides insight on lower limb dysfunction, helping clinicians find and treat the root cause of biomechanical problems that can lead to pain throughout the lower body. It's a great way to easily see how your patient is walking and how their feet are functioning.
A Shoe-Integrated Sensor System for Wireless Gait Analysis
Clinical gait analysis currently involves an expensive analysis in a motion laboratory. There is a need for a low cost device that can provide quantitative and repeatable results. In addition, continuous monitoring of gait would be useful for real-time physical rehabilitation.
In-shoe measurement devices are evaluated for use in a portable measurement system that will allow for the complete measurement of human gait outside of the laboratory. To free patients from the confines of a motion laboratory, this wireless wearable system capable of measuring many parameters relevant to gait analysis. The "CSRLShoe" was built to be worn on any shoes, without interfering with gait, and was designed to collect data unobtrusively, in any environment, and over long periods of time.
The calibrated sensor outputs were analyzed, and compared to results obtained simultaneously from Simi motion system. It proved highly capable of detecting heel strike and toe off, as well as estimating orientation and position of the subject. Real-time feedback methods were developed to investigate the feasibility of using the continuous monitoring of gait for physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Smart Stationary Bike for rehabilitation
Ankle impairment and lower limb asymmetries in strength and coordination are common symptoms for individuals with selected musculoskeletal and neurological impairments. The virtual reality augmented cycling was designed as a compact mechatronics system for lower limb and mobility rehabilitation. The system measures interaction forces and cardiac activity during cycling in a virtual environment. The kinematics measurement was added to the system. Due to the constrained problem definition, the combination of inertial measurement unit (IMU) with filtering was recruited to compute the optimal pedal angular displacement during dynamic cycling exercise. Using a novel benchmarking method the accuracy of IMU-based kinematics measurement was evaluated.
Riders may have motor control and sensory deficits, which impact their ability to comfortably biking. Reporting the reaction loading between foot and pedal after force measurement as a feedback for motor make relatively accurate angular measurement and implement. The enhanced VRACK system can serve as a rehabilitation device to monitor biomechanical and physiological variables during cycling on a stationary bike.
BWS Patient-tracking system for an Over-ground Gait Training System -Rehab Treadmill
The body weight support (BWS) conditions that represent an effective form of locomotion training. It is a new over-ground body-weight support system that allows individuals with gait disorders to practice walking over smooth or uneven surfaces, over obstacles, and up and down stairs in a safe, controlled manner. The system consists of a bodyweight support system mounted onto a trolley that rides along a horizontal guide rail. The patient wears a harness that connects to the body-weight support system via a cable. The aim is to minimize the horizontal forces they may experience.
The present invention provides an overhead support apparatus for assisting a user while performing rehabilitation physical activities and includes a track assembly supported by the ceiling and a suspension device that depends from the track assembly and is attached to the user so that the apparatus acts to prevent the user from falling down during physical activities. The suspension assembly includes a trolley adapted to traverse the track assembly, a locking snap assembly attached to the trolley and associated with a swivel, and an adjustable lanyard that is connected to the swivel at one end and to a body harness at its opposite end, which body harness has straps for encircling the torso and legs of a user.
The CSRL Fall Protection for Rehab System is an overhead track and harness system designed to protect patients from falling during the rehabilitation process. Using this simple device will result in an increase in patient and therapist safety, giving patients the confidence they need to push themselves to the next level. It can be used with virtually all types of patients including bariatrics, geriatrics, pediatrics, and more! If you have patients who need balance, conditioning, gait, neurological, strength, or vestibular therapies, it can help minimize risk and increase therapist productivity by allowing a 1:1 patient to therapist ratio. Instead of using 2-3 extra therapists to help protect/support a patient during one of these therapies, therapists are able to treat and monitor their patients with a truly hands-free approach. This allows therapists to view total body alignment without worrying about their patient falling down. This system can also be utilized in conjunction with other exercise equipment such as; treadmills, balance boards, obstacle courses, parallel bars and more. The CSRL Fall Protection for Rehab System works great for the following types of patients: Amputees, Cerebral Palsy, Joint Replacement, Multiple Sclerosis, Organic Brain Syndrome, Osteoporosis, Paraplegic, Post-Operative, Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, and much more!
Virtual Reality
The cable simulator is a motion platform with emerging state of the art computer generated augmented and virtual reality used for both comprehensive balance assessment and specialized rehabilitation. The cable robot provides objective patient data to help isolate and quantify sensory and/or motor problems related to balance. The operators of the system may interactively design a 3D path with appropriate challenges such as hills and turns specifically tailored to an individual patient.