Low frequency mechanical waves stimulation system for equilibrium studies in humans

Abstract

Over time, the balance capacity is diminished so that techniques and systems have been developed to detect the decrease opportunely trying to avoid risky consequences. In this paper the design of a system to generate infrasound mechanical pressure waves (0-10 Hz) is presented. The system is focused to stimulate the proprioceptive, visual and vestibular systems in order to assess the equilibrium o f the human body using the stimulus response technique. The produced by stimulation are recorded with head movements an optical system (APAS) and the resultant signals are analyzed applying the stability criteria used in the control of systems. The device was designed by using SolidWorks and Comsol platforms as a first approximation.