High-fidelity clinical movement analysis with body mounted sensors

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): High-fidelity clinical movement analysis with body mounted sensors Summary Clinical movement analysis is an important tool for management of orthopedic and neurological movement disorders. Despite scientific and clinical successes, this tool has not found widespread use in clinical practice outside of major research centers. One reason for this is the high cost of laboratory equipment, which is around 250,000 for optical motion capture with instrumented force platforms or treadmills. A trained technician is needed to collect and process the data. This project will investigate the feasibility of obtaining the same high-fidelity clinical movement analysis by using small, low-cost, and wireless motion sensors, which can reduce the hardware cost by a factor 100. Data will be processed with novel algorithms that integrate motion sensor data from different locations on the body into a mathematical model for musculoskeletal dynamics. The algorithm will solve an entire movement trajectory reliably by constraining the solutions to be consistent with known laws of physics and muscle physiology. Similar model-based algorithms have been used successfully in other fields such as fluid dynamics but not yet for human movement analysis. This Phase 1 project, two aims are included: (1) to develop a prototype of the software which is capable of two-dimensional modeling and analysis, and (2) to test this prototype by collecting data from seven accelerometers and comparing the results to a conventional optical motion capture. If the project is successful, a full three-dimensional analysis, hardware integration, and user interface will be developed in Phase 2. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the industry and make high-quality clinical movement analysis a cost effective and user friendly tool which is readily available to clinicians and physical therapists. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: High-fidelity clinical movement analysis with body mounted sensors Relevance The proposed technology will make it possible for clinicians and physical therapists to do an accurate quantitative evaluation of a patient's movement and muscle function, using small wireless motion sensors attached to the patient. While the patient performs movements or exercises, data will be sent to a laptop computer which automatically generates a clinical report. The system including software will be sold for a price of 5000.