Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a commercially available physically and chemically stable silicone rubber. It has unique flexibility with shear elastic modulus due to one of the lowest glass transition temperatures any polymer . Further properties PDMS are low change in versus temperature , virtually no G frequency high compressibility. Because its clean room processability, curing temperature, flexibility, possibility functional groups very drift time well suited for micromachined mechanical...

This paper describes a complementary Kalman filter design to estimate orientation of human body segments by fusing gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer signals from miniature sensors. Ferromagnetic materials or other magnetic fields near the sensor module disturb local earth field and, therefore, estimation, which impedes many (ambulatory) applications. In filter, gyroscope bias error, disturbance error are estimated. The was tested under quasi-static dynamic conditions with...

This paper presents the design and testing of a portable magnetic system combined with miniature inertial sensors for ambulatory 6 degrees freedom ( DOF) human motion tracking. The consists three orthogonal coils, source, fixed to body 3-D sensors, remote segments, which measure fields generated by source. Based on measured signals, processor calculates relative positions orientations between source sensor. Magnetic actuation requires substantial amount energy limits update rate set...

Ground reaction forces and moments (GRF&M) are important measures used as input in biomechanical analysis to estimate joint kinetics, which often infer information for many musculoskeletal diseases. Their assessment is conventionally achieved using laboratory-based equipment that cannot be applied daily life monitoring. In this study, we propose a method predict GRF&M during walking, exclusively kinematic from fully-ambulatory inertial motion capture (IMC). From the equations of...

Analysis of running mechanics has traditionally been limited to a gait laboratory using either force plates or an instrumented treadmill in combination with full-body optical motion capture system. With the introduction inertial systems, it becomes possible measure kinematics any environment. However, kinetic information could not be provided such technology. Furthermore, numerous body-worn sensors are required for analysis. The aim this study is examine validity method estimate sagittal...

In the medical field, accelerometers are often used for measuring inclination of body segments and activity daily living (ADL) because they small require little power. A drawback using is poor quality estimate movements with large accelerations. This paper describes design performance a Kalman filter to from signals triaxial accelerometer. based on assumptions concerning frequency content acceleration movement that measured, knowledge magnitude gravity 1 g taking into account fluctuating...

Ground reaction force (GRF) measurement is important in the analysis of human body movements. The main drawback existing systems restriction to a laboratory environment. This paper proposes an ambulatory system for assessing dynamics ankle and foot, which integrates GRF with movement. center pressure (CoP) are measured using two six-degrees-of-freedom sensors mounted beneath shoe. movement foot lower leg three miniature inertial sensors, rigidly attached shoe one on leg. proposed validated...

Assessment of hand kinematics is important when evaluating functioning. Major drawbacks current sensing glove systems are lack rotational observability in particular directions, labour intensive calibration methods which sensitive to wear and an absolute orientation estimate. We propose ambulatory system using inertial sensors that can be placed on the hand, fingers thumb. It allows a full 3D reconstruction all finger thumb joints as well hand. The was experimentally evaluated for static...

Many of the currently available myoelectric forearm prostheses stay unused because lack sensory feedback. Vibrotactile and electrotactile stimulation have high potential to provide this In study, performance a grasping task is investigated for different hand opening feedback conditions on 15 healthy subjects validated three patients. The virtual was controlled by scroll wheel. Feedback about given via an array eight vibrotactile or stimulators placed forearm, relating positions. A...

The center of mass (CoM) and the pressure (CoP) are two variables that crucial in assessing energy expenditure stability human walking. purpose this study is to estimate CoM displacement continuously using an ambulatory measurement system. system consists instrumented shoes with 6 DOF force/moment sensors beneath heels fore-feet. Moreover, inertial rigidly attached for estimation position orientation. achieved by fusing low-pass filtered CoP data high-pass double integrated acceleration,...

Ambulatory monitoring of motor symptoms in Parkinsons disease (PD) can improve our therapeutic strategies, especially patients with fluctuations. Previously published monitors usually assess only one or a few basic aspects the cardinal laboratory setting. We developed novel ambulatory system that provides complete assessment by simultaneously analyzing current activity patient (e.g. sitting, walking) and severity many related to tremor, bradykinesia, hypokinesia. The monitor consists set...

User feedback about grasping force and hand aperture is very important in object handling with myoelectric forearm prostheses but lacking current prostheses. Vibrotactile increases the performance of healthy subjects virtual tasks, no extensive validation on potential users has been performed.Investigate upper-limb loss tasks vibrotactile stimulation, providing aperture, feedback.Cross-over trial.A total 10 performed while perceiving feedback. Hand was provided through an array coin motors a...

The measurement of ground reaction forces is important in the biomechanical analysis gait and other motor activities. Many applications require full ambulatory these forces, but this not supported by current systems. We propose use two six-degrees-of-freedom force moment sensors under each shoe, which enables centers pressure (CoP). feasibility method illustrated experimental results a healthy subject, using plate as reference. CoP recordings show good correspondence when they are evaluated...