A COMPARISON OF METHODS USING STRAIN GAUGES TO MONITOR PHYSIOLOGICAL MOVEMENTS ON A HOSPITAL BED

Two methods which are suitable to monitor the small movements of the patient in a horizontal position on the bed are compared. The methods use sensors based on strain gauge bridges configured to measure the torsion deformation and sensors based on strain gauge bridges configured to measure the bending deformation of two two-arm brackets. Both methods provide information about the patient's physiological movements. The methods were tested and compared in order to decide which methods may be most appropriate in clinical practice. The two methods have never been compared before, and the results can be used in development of the new methods of patient monitoring

Application of Portable Force Platforms Equipped with a Device for Measuring Position and Orientation

With the development of modern technology for studying the movements of the human body, a large number of new measurement techniques are being applied. However, a complex and expensive device is not always the best one for personal requirements or for professional needs. We havedesigned and tested a new universal way to study the forces under the feet based on force platformsequipped with a device for measuring position and orientation. The device for measuring position andorientation is used to identify the relative positions of the two inexpensive force platforms in 3-D space. Knowledge of the relative positions and orientations of the force platforms allows us to adjust the two force platforms in 3-D space. The technique allows the force platform system for measuring and calculating the forces under the feet and the position of the center of pressure to be set up rapidly. The new technique, based on inexpensive portable force platforms equipped with a device for measuring position and orientation, is used and described for the first time here. This work attempts to describe potential ways of applying the technique

A MYOELECTRIC PROSTHETIC ARM CONTROLLED BY A SENSOR-ACTUATOR LOOP

This paper describes new methods and systems designed for application in upper extremity prostheses. An artificial upper limb with this system is a robot arm controlled by EMG signals and a set of sensors. The new multi-sensor system is based on ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors, Hall-effect sensors, a CO2 sensor and a relative humidity sensor. The multi-sensor system is used to update a 3D map of objects in the robot’s environment, or it directly sends information about the environment to the control system of the myoelectric arm. Occupancy grid mapping is used to build a 3D map of the robot’s environment. The multi-sensor system can identify the distance of objects in 3D space, and the information from the system is used in a 3D map to identify potential collisions or a potentially dangerous environment, which could damage the prosthesis or the user. Information from the sensors and from the 3D map is evaluated using a fuzzy expert system. The control system of the myoelectric prosthetic arm can choose an adequate reaction on the basis of information from the fuzzy expert system. The systems and methods were designed and verified using MatLab/Simulink. They are aimed for use as assistive technology for disabled people

A MYOELECTRIC PROSTHETIC ARM CONTROLLED BY A SENSOR-ACTUATOR LOOP

This paper describes new methods and systems designed for application in upper extremity prostheses. An artificial upper limb with this system is a robot arm controlled by EMG signals and a set of sensors. The new multi-sensor system is based on ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors, Hall-effect sensors, a CO2 sensor and a relative humidity sensor. The multi-sensor system is used to update a 3D map of objects in the robot’s environment, or it directly sends information about the environment to the control system of the myoelectric arm. Occupancy grid mapping is used to build a 3D map of the robot’s environment. The multi-sensor system can identify the distance of objects in 3D space, and the information from the system is used in a 3D map to identify potential collisions or a potentially dangerous environment, which could damage the prosthesis or the user. Information from the sensors and from the 3D map is evaluated using a fuzzy expert system. The control system of the myoelectric prosthetic arm can choose an adequate reaction on the basis of information from the fuzzy expert system. The systems and methods were designed and verified using MatLab/Simulink. They are aimed for use as assistive technology for disabled people

WEARABLE MULTI-SENSOR SYSTEM FOR TELEMEDICINE APPLICATIONS

In this paper, we describe a technical design of wearable multi-sensor systems for physiological data measurement and wide medical applications, significantly impacted in telehealth. The monitors are composed of three analog front-end (AFE) devices, which assist with interfacing digital electronics to the noise-, time-sensitive physiological sensors for measuring ECG (heart-rate monitor), RR (respiration-rate monitor), SRL (skin resistivity monitor). These three types of sensors can be used separately or together and allow to determine a number of parameters for the assessment of mental and physical condition. The system is designed based on requirements for demanding environments even outside the realm of medical applications, and in accordance with Health and Safety at Work directives (89/391/CE and Seveso-II 96/82/EC) for occupational hygiene, medical, rehabilitation, sports and fitness applications

SYSTEM FOR MEASURING KINEMATICS OF VESTIBULAR SYSTEM MOVEMENTS IN NEUROLOGICAL PRACTICE

The article deals with the design of a system for studying kinematics of movement of the vestibular system. Up to now there has not existed a system which would enable to measure the kinematic quantities of movement of the individual parts of the vestibular system within its coordinate system. The proposed system removes these deficiencies by suitable positioning of five gyro-accelerometric units on the helmet. The testing of the system took place under two conditions, during Unilateral Rotation on Barany Chair and Head Impulse Test. During the testing, the system justified its application because the results show that the kinematic quantities of the movement of the left and right labyrinths of the vestibular system differ. The introduced device is mainly intended for application in clinical neurology with the aim to enable the physician to measure all linear and angular accelerations of the vestibular system during medical examinations

CONTROL AND ANALYSIS OF SIMULATOR AND BIOLOGICAL DATA FROM CAR SIMULATORS

Due to the fact that driving vehicles can be complicated or impracticable, a computer simulator is usually used for training and professional studies. The advantage of this approach is high safety, repeatability, easier feasibility and, of course, lower price. In this work we describe the extension of the car simulator developed by the Faculty of Transport CTU in Prague with specific scenarios for evaluating the cognitive abilities of probands, software for their management and evaluation of data from simulator software and other measured physiological variables such as ECG and arm movement. From the data it is then possible to evaluate the mental and physical condition of the proband and the progress of training. Preliminary results suggest the possibility of using Poincaré analysis for the purpose of assessing cognitive load during potential collision situations. It uses distance assessment from other objects involved in traffic situations

EVALUATION AND TYPES OF ATTACKS WITH STABBING WEAPONS FOR THE DESIGN OF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Knife attacks have become a global problem in recent years, especially in countries where access to firearms is limited. However, the current situation is that the method of selection and characteristics of protective equipment about the physical attributes of stabbing attacks is not systematically determined. Attacks with stab weapons can be divided according to the weapon's grip, the angle of the attack, and its execution into six different attacks (e.g., underarm action stab, overarm action stab, etc.). Our work presents a survey of methods for capturing and then evaluating the physical parameters of point attacks in specific motion capture and analysis programs. In this work, kinematic analysis was used to analyze motion during a stabbing attack and to obtain data on the kinetic energy of the stab. The measurements were performed with the MoCap system - Vicon Nexus 2.70. The results of the study show that the average value for the straight stab and the underarm stab is almost the same (66.5–67.1 J), while the overarm stab reaches a much higher value (92.8 J). The study aims to determine the kinetic energy of types of attacks, for standards state the level of protection based on energy levels. The results could provide new insights into the current state of protective equipment and energy values ​​in national/international standards

Wearable Modular Telemetry System for the Integrated Rescue System Operational Use

The article summarizes the development of the FlexiGuard modular telemetry system designed for enhancing safety of the Integrated Rescue System team members in solving crisis situations and for improving training processes. Further framework solutions, which lead to the development of automatic modular telemetry system allowing for real time monitoring of physiological parameters, are provided as well. The system provides for the signalization of critical states such as exhaustion, mental stress, and overheating. It further provides differentiation between the nature and intensity of movement, including actual and overall energy output, monitoring environmental parameters, and analysis of an intervention or training. The system has been tested in laboratories as well as in the terrain under real circumstances, and the eventual end users participated in its optimization process. Following the theory of games, a model of a transmission system was also created which demonstrates higher transmission efficiency when using higher number of nodes