Detection of Spine curvature using wireless sensors

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a progressive disease of the spine where the spine slowly stiffens and can eventually become completely inflexible. It can be difficult to diagnose in primary care, and thus there is often a 10-year delay in diagnosis. Within this study an intelligent wearable system is designed and developed to detect the displacement of the spine and provide the subject with a continuous posture monitoring and feedback signals when an incorrect posture is detected using accelerometer and gyroscope sensors. This wearable system can be used both to diagnose AS in early stages and to prevent subjects from lower back and neck pain caused by incorrect posture. We outline here the system which detects the curvature of the spine by using Shimmer sensors placed on the back and provides relevant exercises based on the user’s pain records

Clinical Kinesiology and Posturology Applied to a Group of Italian Students. A Morphological Observational Study.

50%), pelvis (≈50%), and hips (36.25%). A prominent malleolus was observed in 17.5% of student

Comparison of the spine kinematics by defining lumbar as single and multi-segmental in completing critical daily task

The change of the spinal curvature in completing a variety of daily tasks is essential to independent living. There is still a lack of studies highlighting the lumbar segmental contribution during sit-to-stand (STS) and stand-to-flexion (STF) usingnon-invasive study. The purpose of this study is to compare the spine kinematics by defining lumbar as a single and multi-segmental during continuous daily motion in healthy Asian adults using a non-invasive approach. During STS, most subjects implementedkyphotic lumbar curve during the early stage of motion which revealed poor posture implementation and significant differences in the lumbar kinematics which were only noticeable at specific phases between both approaches. A significant difference in multi-segmental behaviour was observed only at the end of the motion. All three segments displayed different time responses during the transition from kyphotic to lordotic curve. Passive/delayed behavior within the lower lumbar segment was observed between 0-50% of motion completion. During STF, statistically significant differences were found between assuming lumbar as a single and multi-segment in all phases. This in vitro study identified characteristic motion patterns in the lumbar spine during daily motions. The results provided a clear description of the healthy spinal condition of adults and may serve to identify specific multi-segmental contribution

Smart Devices and Systems for Wearable Applications

Wearable technologies need a smooth and unobtrusive integration of electronics and smart materials into textiles. The integration of sensors, actuators and computing technologies able to sense, react and adapt to external stimuli, is the expression of a new generation of wearable devices. The vision of wearable computing describes a system made by embedded, low power and wireless electronics coupled with smart and reliable sensors - as an integrated part of textile structure or directly in contact with the human body. Therefore, such system must maintain its sensing capabilities under the demand of normal clothing or textile substrate, which can impose severe mechanical deformation to the underlying garment/substrate. The objective of this thesis is to introduce a novel technological contribution for the next generation of wearable devices adopting a multidisciplinary approach in which knowledge of circuit design with Ultra-Wide Band and Bluetooth Low Energy technology, realization of smart piezoresistive / piezocapacitive and electro-active material, electro-mechanical characterization, design of read-out circuits and system integration find a fundamental and necessary synergy. The context and the results presented in this thesis follow an “applications driven” method in terms of wearable technology. A proof of concept has been designed and developed for each addressed issue. The solutions proposed are aimed to demonstrate the integration of a touch/pressure sensor into a fabric for space debris detection (CApture DEorbiting Target project), the effectiveness of the Ultra-Wide Band technology as an ultra-low power data transmission option compared with well known Bluetooth (IR-UWB data transmission project) and to solve issues concerning human proximity estimation (IR-UWB Face-to-Face Interaction and Proximity Sensor), wearable actuator for medical applications (EAPtics project) and aerospace physiology countermeasure (Gravity Loading Countermeasure Skinsuit project)

Commercial and research-based wearable devices in spinal postural analysis: A systematic review

The widespread use of ubiquitous computing has led to people spending more time in front of screens, causing poor posture. The COVID-19 pandemic and the shift towards remote work have only worsened the situation, as many people are now working from home with inadequate ergonomics. Maintaining a healthy posture is crucial for both physical and mental health, and poor posture can result in spinal problems. Wearable systems have been developed to monitor posture and provide instant feedback. Their goal is to improve posture over time by using these devices. This article will review commercially available, and research-based wearable devices used to analyse posture. The potential of these devices in the healthcare industry, particularly in preventing, monitoring, and treating spinal and musculoskeletal conditions, will also be discussed. The findings indicate that current devices can accurately assess posture in clinical settings, but further research is needed to validate the long-term effectiveness of these technologies and to improve their practicality for commercial use

Therapeutic Strategies in Architecture for Senior Care and Rehabilition

My research is in developing a new building typology for the elderly retirement population. Retirement funds are often eaten up by poor planning and hasty decisions which can jeopardize their health. Hawaii has a large elderly population and I see a great need to address this problem now, as the largest demographic group is now retiring. Hypothesis: Retirement hangs as the preverbal carrot for most people in our rapidly paced society. The reward for life of hard work too often becomes a sedentary activity that encourages the degeneration of our physical body. Architecture for retirees often facilitates this and designs for a lethargic lifestyle. The consistent pattern for elderly is a ‘fall’, which then leads to a back-and-forth to the hospital. Most of the time, the fall occurs within a ‘designed’ space. The research goal is to develop design strategies, design components, and awareness of the problems. Just as ADA (American’s with Disabilities Act) is the product of awareness and energy to a neglected demographic, the elderly should have strong design influences. The desired outcome for the project is to prepare for a design that addresses the needs for this elderly age group . Gaining an understanding of the demographic, the needs, hazards, and opportunities will prepare me for the design process. Specific solutions ranging from therapeutic spaces to technical solutions for improved mobility and independence will be investigated. In urban or suburban places, our mobility is based on options presented to us. These are intentional designs and understanding how ‘designed circulation’ develops certain muscles while others are lost, helps me design spaces that become therapeutic and incorporate the muscles that are lost. Case studies will be investigated to gain parameters on cost, and design solutions. Emerging theories in senior health care incorporate more activity throughout the day compared to a periodic ‘exercise’ time. Architecture can facilitate this approach of a steady flow of stimulus and activity.My research is in developing a new building typology for the elderly retirement population. Retirement funds are often eaten up by poor planning and hasty decisions which can jeopardize their health. Hawaii has a large elderly population and I see a great need to address this problem now, as the largest demographic group is now retiring. Hypothesis: Retirement hangs as the preverbal carrot for most people in our rapidly paced society. The reward for life of hard work too often becomes a sedentary activity that encourages the degeneration of our physical body. Architecture for retirees often facilitates this and designs for a lethargic lifestyle. The consistent pattern for elderly is a ‘fall’, which then leads to a back-and-forth to the hospital. Most of the time, the fall occurs within a ‘designed’ space. The research goal is to develop design strategies, design components, and awareness of the problems. Just as ADA (American’s with Disabilities Act) is the product of awareness and energy to a neglected demographic, the elderly should have strong design influences. The desired outcome for the project is to prepare for a design that addresses the needs for this elderly age group . Gaining an understanding of the demographic, the needs, hazards, and opportunities will prepare me for the design process. Specific solutions ranging from therapeutic spaces to technical solutions for improved mobility and independence will be investigated. In urban or suburban places, our mobility is based on options presented to us. These are intentional designs and understanding how ‘designed circulation’ develops certain muscles while others are lost, helps me design spaces that become therapeutic and incorporate the muscles that are lost. Case studies will be investigated to gain parameters on cost, and design solutions. Emerging theories in senior health care incorporate more activity throughout the day compared to a periodic ‘exercise’ time. Architecture can facilitate this approach of a steady flow of stimulus and activity.My research is in developing a new building typology for the elderly retirement population. Retirement funds are often eaten up by poor planning and hasty decisions which can jeopardize their health. Hawaii has a large elderly population and I see a great need to address this problem now, as the largest demographic group is now retiring. Hypothesis: Retirement hangs as the preverbal carrot for most people in our rapidly paced society. The reward for life of hard work too often becomes a sedentary activity that encourages the degeneration of our physical body. Architecture for retirees often facilitates this and designs for a lethargic lifestyle. The consistent pattern for elderly is a ‘fall’, which then leads to a back-and-forth to the hospital. Most of the time, the fall occurs within a ‘designed’ space. The research goal is to develop design strategies, design components, and awareness of the problems. Just as ADA (American’s with Disabilities Act) is the product of awareness and energy to a neglected demographic, the elderly should have strong design influences. The desired outcome for the project is to prepare for a design that addresses the needs for this elderly age group . Gaining an understanding of the demographic, the needs, hazards, and opportunities will prepare me for the design process. Specific solutions ranging from therapeutic spaces to technical solutions for improved mobility and independence will be investigated. In urban or suburban places, our mobility is based on options presented to us. These are intentional designs and understanding how ‘designed circulation’ develops certain muscles while others are lost, helps me design spaces that become therapeutic and incorporate the muscles that are lost. Case studies will be investigated to gain parameters on cost, and design solutions. Emerging theories in senior health care incorporate more activity throughout the day compared to a periodic ‘exercise’ time. Architecture can facilitate this approach of a steady flow of stimulus and activity

Efficacy of a Novel Thoracopelvic Orthosis in Reducing Lumbar Spine Loading and Muscle Fatigue in Flexion: A Study with Weighted Garments.

The purpose of this thesis was to design and test a novel electromechanical thoracopelvic orthosis called the Exoskeletal Spinal Support, or ESS. We tested the overall hypothesis that the activity of the postural muscles of the lower back in erect and flexed postures, while wearing and not wearing a weighted garment, can be reduced by the ESS. Two experiments informed the design of the ESS. The first experiment was a repeated-measures study of the effect of a weighted garment (a lead vest) on shoulder and lower back muscle activity of 19 young healthy adults. The results showed that use of the lead vest did not significantly increase muscle activity in any of the three muscle groups studied. The second experiment was a repeated-measures study of factors contributing to the normal contact stress developed at the interface between a partial thoracic orthosis and the skin of 20 healthy young men. The ESS was designed and programmed so that its microcontroller monitored the interface contact stress and commanded its four linear actuators to adjust the orthosis configuration so as to maintain a near-constant trunk extensor moment over a range of trunk flexion. The final experiment was a preliminary validation study of the ESS on a single subject in a variety of loading conditions and flexed postures, with lumbar muscle activity as the primary outcome. The results suggest that at 5° forward flexion, the ESS reduced normalized erector spinae muscle activity by up to 11%. However, when the lead vest was worn over the ESS, muscle activity increased, perhaps due to a change in spine posture or an artifact. Nonetheless we conclude that the ESS has promise as the first “active” orthosis. Its mechanical interactions with the trunk can be programmed via software alone. These interactions include the use of the constant corrective moment used here, but also include the ability to change the damping behavior and program any linear or curvilinear relationship between applied moment and thorax inclination in the sagittal or coronal planes. This technology allows for the possibility of telemanaging orthotic treatment in the future.Ph.D.Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/91450/1/danijohn_1.pd