Design of ultrasonic motion analysis system for estimating segment's stabilization during dynamic condition

Abstract

While the function of central and peripheral nervous system decreases (caused by aging, vestibular deficiency or stroke), maintaining of body stability get hard. Studies indicate that in a dynamic state such as walking, coordination of axial segments head, thorax, and pelvis is disrupted in pathologic conditions. In recent years goniometry and cinematography have been widely used to measure active or passive range of motion (ROM) in asymptomatic adults. The aim of this investigation is designing and implementing a new method for estimating the level of impairment in stability of segment and the improvement after treatment by measuring quality or quantity of movement among axial segments. Transmitter sensors mounted on body periodically send ultrasonic burst signals and other 3 sensors arranged on a T-shape Mechanical base receive the three dimensional coordinate of these transmitters. After sending 3D coordination data to PC via serial port, a complex visual basic software separately calculates angular dispersion, rate and acceleration for each segment. Also this special software calculates the stabilization parameters among segments such as AI (anchoring index) and cross-correlating between head and trunk coordinates.