Method, brace and system for measuring torsion or bending of a part of a human or animal body

Abstract

Method, brace (55), and system for measuring a degree of torsion or bending of a part of a human or animal body. The method comprises the steps of attaching a sensor (56) to a part of the human or animal body, obtaining calibration data of the sensor by detecting the output signal of the sensor for a well defined degree of torsion or bending of said part of the human or animal body, storing the calibration data, measuring an output signal of the sensor during torsion or bending of said part of the human or animal body, and a final step of relating said output signal of the sensor to a degree of torsion or bending by using the calibration data. The method, brace and system are characterised in that the sensor comprises an electrically conductive loop (51), the area of said loop at least partially covering said part of the human or animal body, for instance a knee, and that the sensor further comprises an output unit (57) for providing an output signal that is a measure for the inductance of the loop.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a method for measuring twisting or bending at a joint between two limbs, such as a part of a human or animal body. The invention also relates to a system for measuring twist or bend. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a stand for measuring twist or bend. Background technique [0002] Measuring twisting or bending of parts of the human or animal body, such as the knee or neck, is important for science or therapy. The information obtained from such measurements can be used to improve human or animal capabilities, such as in sports, and to prevent strain injuries. [0003] Ravindra Wijesiriwardana's article entitled "Inductice Fiber-Meshed Strain and Displacement Transducers for Respiratory Measuring Systems and Motion Capturing Systems" published in IEEE Sensors Journal Vol. 6, No. 3 (kune 2006), pp. 571-579 describes the body Motion sensor (EPO reference number XP-002580465). The article proposes the use of c...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0007] The problem with using fiber optics to measure angles is that the maximum angle of bend is limited to about 30 degrees due to possible breakage at larger angles and due to possible light transmission only at smaller angles

Moreover, such fibers are fragile and susceptible to mechanical damage, such as the so-called cladding, resulting in less precision, reduced performance and especially reduced reliability

Images