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Title

Lightweight human movement & motion data capture system (Ref: 08 GB 41n8 0IHZ)

Deadline

Wed, July 01, 2009

Abstract

A UK company offers a small self-contained data capture system for the analysis of human motion in medical research & sports performance. Used singly or in multiples the unit integrates accelerometers with rate gyroscopes to capture data on ‘six degrees of freedom.’ Designed to allow unrestrained human motion units are easy to attach and provide accurate data (stored on a removable micro-SD memory card and then transferred for subsequent analysis). The company is seeking technology partners.

Description

The use of accelerometers to measure human motion has been suggested for over 30 years. With recent advances in miniaturization and the integration of rate gyroscopes, reliable portable motion sensors have become a viable alternative to optical motion analysis systems. They also have significant advantages in real-life applications that are outside the scope of specialist movement science laboratories. In recent times, gait analysis is taken almost as a routine procedure in aiding many diagnostic and rehabilitative procedures. Common application examples include: the design of rehabilitation programs, the assessment of surgical outcomes, the recognition of gaits due to falls-risk in the elderly and also for the improvement of sports techniques and performance.
Although there are a number of motion data capture systems on the market (often termed inertial measurement units - IMUs) most have practical limitations. The most common is the need for a linking cable (or tether) that restricts normal human motion. To overcome this other units have employed Bluetooth technology, but in addition to the range limits in the field Bluetooth has proven unreliable as an effective data transmission medium. Perhaps surprisingly, up to 50% data loss is not uncommon.
The UK company’s wearable human movement & motion data capture system overcomes both these problems. The unit is lightweight (51 gm) self contained and allows the capture of unrestrained human motion data (sample rate up to 100 samples/second) to be carried out remotely for over six hours. Multiple units can be set up (using an external accessory unit) allowing for complete motion of a body to be captured (e.g. both legs and arms of a human). The units have built in test feature, are individually calibrated and do not need accurate alignment when fitting on the body. The end user experience is one of minimum fuss, easy to set up. Once data capture is complete the user links to the interface unit and downloads the data.

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Innovations and advantages of the offer

The small and lightweight units are designed for use with human and animal surfaces and body segments and allow unrestrained motion. They are easily multiplexed to allow multiple units to be synchronised together. Attaching the units is done using simple pockets/velcro straps. The data is output as a comma separation variable file. The units are easy to manufacture using standard components. No special assembly techniques are required. The units have been in constant use for the last year in a variety of applications including a horse training yard, with no failures. The system is delivered with a small interface unit to allow setting up and downloading of the recorded data. The company believes that there is no other IMU technology available with a better cost: performance specification.

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Current and Potential Domain of Application

The robust construction and design guarantees effective use in a variety of application areas such as ergonomics, medical research, rehabilitation, robotics and sports performance. Potential applications include, joint angle, stride frequency, fall detection, balance assessment, activity monitoring and stride rate. Applications in the medical field (where knowing the gait parameters can help in testing the efficacy of treatment) include patients with Type 2 diabetes, Hydrocephalus, Parkinson’s disease, Osteoarthritic complaints, and those who have had knee and hip replacement surgery.

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List of Keywords

Technology
- Environmental and Biometrics Sensors, Actuators - Sensors/Multisensor Technology, Instrumentation - Sensor Technology related to measurements
Market
- Other therapeutic (including defibrillators)- Monitoring equipment - Sporting goods, hobby equipment and athletics clothes
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Further Information (Technical Details Concerning the Profile)

The main features of the system are detailed below. • Small size (73 x 36 x 19mm) and light (51 gram) – easily wearable. • Completely un-tethered operation – no cables or range limit. • Logging time > 6 hours at maximum sample rate. • Acceleration range ±5g. • Acceleration resolution ~3 milli-g (12-bit digitization). • Rotation range: ±1200°/sec. • Rotation resolution 0.54°/sec (12-bit digitization). • Sample rate up to 100 samples per second. • Set up via USB from host PC (user software supplied). • Data download to PC via card reader or USB. • Multiple units can be synchronized (via external accessory unit). • Battery charge time: 4 hours on fast charge (12 hour charge recommended). • Calibration: each unit individually calibrated; data held in non-volatile memory. • Built-in temperature sensor. A much lower cost self-contained 3-axis accelerometer unit is also available that logs acceleration along three orthogonal axes (no rotation).
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Current Stage of Development

Already on the market
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Exploitation of RTD Results

Private Research
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Intellectual Property Rights

Secret know-how
Comments
The technology is already on the market and can be made available in both small and large batch sizes. It is already being used in a broad range of human and equine research applications. The system solutions use proven algorithms developed in house. However, the unit offers potential benefits in a broad range of medical applications some of which will need further development.
The technology is protected by the UK company's own embedded software and encrypted signal processing.
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Organisation/Company

Type: Industry
Size: 11-50

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Collaboration Type

- License Agreement - Joint further development
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Comments

The company is looking for partners active in the human movement & motion analysis field with proven routes to market for high technology products. Partners are likely to be one or more of the following - system/sensor manufacturers, gait analysis companies, medical research/sports equipment manufacturers, system integrators, and software companies.
In addition the company is keen to work with Medical companies to help develop specific medical system solutions and partner companies interested in selling the units in specific territories.
The offer includes a team in the UK with extremely capable sensor system expertise in all aspects of motion system solutions.

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Targeted Countries

All

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