Development of visual display and data transmission system for patients with chronic disorders of consciousness

The monitoring is integral part for patients with chronic disorders, as such cases require serious attention to save their life and predict recovery. Physiological signs such as heart rate, hemodynamic, temperature, saturation are collected from biomedical sensors to bedside monitors that medical staff could detect unexpected life-threatening conditions being around the patients. However, it is a tough job to being stuck at monitor for every person. Furthermore, such continuous supervision may lead to difficulties due to human error. Thus there is a need to capture, display all physiological changes visually and give a medical emergency about health conditions when they are out of the normal range. The main objective is the development of the optoelectronic system for visual monitoring and data transmission of patients in a coma by optical wireless communication.

Standardized Biomechanical Investigation of Posture and Gait in Pisa Syndrome Disease

Pisa syndrome is one of the possible postural deformities associated with Parkinson’s disease and it is clinically defined as a sustained lateral bending of the trunk. Some previous studies proposed clinical and biomechanical investigation to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms that occur, mainly focusing on EMG patterns and clinics. The current research deals with the assessment of a standardized biomechanical analysis to investigate the Pisa syndrome postural effects. Eight patients participated in the experimental test. Both static posture and gait trials were performed. An optoelectronic system and two force plates were used for data acquisition, while a custom multi-segments kinematic model of the human spine was used to evaluate the 3D angles. All subjects showed an important flexion of the trunk superior segment with respect to the inferior one, with a strong variability among patients (range values between 4.3° and 41.0°). Kinematics, ground reaction forces and spatio-temporal parameters are influenced by the asymmetrical trunk posture. Moreover, different proprioception, compensation and abilities of correction were depicted among subjects. Considering the forces exchanged by the feet with the floor during standing, results highlighted a significant asymmetry (p-value = 0.02) between the omo and contralateral side in a normal static posture, with greater load distribution on the same side of lateral deviation. When asked to self-correct the posture, all patients demonstrated a reduction of asymmetry, but without stressing any statistical significance. All these aspects might be crucial for the definition of a PS patients’ classification and for the assessment of the efficacy of treatments and rehabilitation.

Development of multispectral optoelectronic system 19ТVА-001 for system 3М47-01

The developed optoelectronic system can be used for detecting a wide range of aircraft. Its performance is based on classical methods of optical detection as well as on non-standard solutions. To determine the product capabilities and meet the customer’s requirements, we conducted simulation modelling of the feasibility of proposed solutions at the development stage. The results of field tests and sea trials promise quite accurate prediction of the system’s performance outcome.

SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF DETERMINING THE LOCATION OF AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE IN THE COORDINATE COUNTING MODE USING A TECHNICAL VISION SYSTEM

Представлено обоснование использования оптико-электронной системы в качестве навигационно-измерительного комплекса. Проведен краткий анализ существующих систем навигации, применимых для беспилотного летательного аппарата, и предложен алгоритм обеспечения системы видеонаблюдения в режиме счисления координат с помощью системы технического зрения. Задачу счисления координат БЛА с использованием видеопоследовательностей изображений земной поверхности можно решить с высокой точностью с помощью бинокулярной СТЗ. Однако в случае выхода из строя одной из камер определение координат местоположения будет продолжаться с достаточной точностью для решения поставленной задачи. А недостаток измерительных средств обеспечивается за счет использования 6 особых точек земной поверхности. Поэтому предложен алгоритм определения местоположения с помощью монокулярной системы технического зрения. Для решения задачи определения местоположения выделяются и определяются координаты особых точек на изображении поверхности. Для нахождения особых точек была выполнена обработка оцифрованного изображения методом FAST-9. Так как изображение получается цветным, то процедура нахождения особых точек является надежным путем применения метода FAST-9 для двух или даже трех цветовых компонент. Данная процедура позволяет достигнуть высокой точности определения счисляемых координат БЛА. Для решения задач счисления координат предпочтительно использование методов простых итераций, Брауна или Ньютона We present the rationale for the use of an optoelectronic system as a navigation-measuring complex. We carried out a brief analysis of existing navigation systems applicable to an unmanned aerial vehicle and propose an algorithm for providing a video surveillance system in the reckoning mode using a vision system. The problem of reckoning UAV coordinates using video sequences of images of the earth's surface can be solved with high accuracy using a binocular TVS. However, in case of failure of one of the cameras, the determination of the coordinates of the location will continue with sufficient accuracy to solve the task. And the lack of measuring instruments is ensured through the use of 6 special points of the earth's surface. Therefore, we propose an algorithm for determining the location using a monocular vision system. To solve the problem of determining the location, we selected and determined the coordinates of the singular points on the surface image. To find the special points, we processed the digitized image using the FAST-9 method. Since the image is obtained in color, the procedure for finding special points is reliable by applying the FAST-9 method for two or even three color components. This procedure allows you to achieve high accuracy in determining the reckoning coordinates of the UAV. To solve problems of reckoning coordinates, it is preferable to use the methods of simple iterations, Brown or Newton

FORMATION OF THE OPTOELECTRONIC SYSTEM DIRECTIONAL DIAGRAM USING FIBER-OPTIC CABLE

The method of forming directional diagrams (RD) with the possibility of controlling it in space is described. The method of forming of the object location detection zone of complex shape in the transmitter-receiver optical system with the help of fiber-optic cables (OIC) is substantiated and created. The problem of a circular field of view of a multi-channel optoelectronic system (ECO) creating, designed for advanced high-speed objects at short distance detection has been solved. According to the results of laboratory tests of the developed ECO model is established that in the working range of distances of a location of 0,5 ... 10,0 m reliable detection of the target high-speed and high-precision registration of object in all DS directions is reached.

TECHNOLOGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOFTWARE ALGORITHMS FOR OPTOELECTRONIC MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR REMOTE OBJECTS

The issues of constructing algorithms for obtaining coordinate and non-coordinate information used to solve the problem of multiplexing images obtained from several optoelectronic systems are considered. A unique mathematical method for finding the corresponding points in images, based on algorithms for continuous wavelet transform of the brightness structure of an image, is proposed. The technology of development of algorithms intended for multi-position optoelectronic systems for monitoring remote objects based on software from National Instruments is considered. A technique for constructing software for obtaining information is proposed, which ensures high accuracy in determining the coordinates of the corresponding fragments in images. It is shown that the parallel use of several methods makes it possible to assess the reliability of the information obtained under conditions of changing observation parameters. The use of several methods makes it possible to assess the reliability of the information obtained under conditions of changing observation parameters. Computational experiments have confirmed that a more accurate search for image alignment regions is provided by the double wavelet transform method by increasing the number of extrema of the curves of the continuous wavelet transform coefficients, expanding the area from localization and additional filtering. An example of the practical implementation of the developed algorithms in a two-channel optoelectronic system is presented.

Experimental studies of load vibrations when moving the DEC-251 loading crane

Measurement of the parameters of vibrations of the load moved by a self-propelled crane with a flexible rope suspension when the crane moves along an unprepared construction site with irregularities is an urgent task, since it will allow using the obtained numerical values of the vibration parameters to improve the accuracy of the crane’s operation in terms of moving loads. Based on the solution of this problem, it is possible to create systems for automatic damping of cargo vibrations. This will reduce the time spent on performing a work step when moving a load. This also solves the problem of reducing the dynamic loads on the elements of the crane. The article discusses one of the methods for determining the angles of deviations of the point of the load and the point of suspension of the load on the boom when moving the DEK-251 mobile crane along the unevenness of the construction site using the projection-polynomial mathematical model of the optoelectronic system. As an example, the article presents a number of graphs of time dependences of changes in the values of the angles of deviations of the load and the point of suspension of the load when moving over the unevenness of the site of a crane with a boom length of 22 meters and an angle of inclination of the boom of 48 degrees. The cargo was at a height of 4.8 meters, the weight of the cargo was 200 kilograms. The graphical time dependences of the load fluctuations and the load suspension point in the longitudinal plane are given in the form of angles of deviations from the lens center, taking into account the microrelief. The data allows you to calculate the linear coordinates of objects in space. Moreover, the results were obtained taking into account the camera errors.

Development of a New Negative Obstacle Sensor for Augmented Electric Wheelchair

Due to pathologies or age-related problems, in some disabled people, motor impairment is associated with cognitive and/or visual impairments. This combination of limitations unfortunately leads to an inability to move around independently. Indeed, their situation does not allow them to use a conventional electric wheelchair, for safety reasons, and for the moment there is no other technological solution providing safe movement capacity. This lack of access to an autonomous travel solution has the consequence of weakening the intellectual, personal, social, cultural and moral development, as well as the life expectancy, of the people concerned. In this context, our team is working on the development of an optoelectronic system that secures the displacement of electric wheelchairs. This is a large project that requires the development of several functionalities such as: the anti-collision of the wheelchair with its environment, the prevention of falls from the wheelchair on uneven levels, and the adaptation of the system mechanically and electronically to the majority of commercially available electric wheelchair models, among others. In this article, we introduce our solution for detecting dangerous height differences, also called “negative obstacles”, through the creation of a dedicated sensor. This sensor works by optical triangulation and can embed several laser beams in order to extend its detection zone. It has the particularity of being robust in direct sunlight and rain and has a sufficiently high measurement rate to be suitable for the displacement of electric wheelchairs. We develop an adapted algorithm, and point out compromises, in particular between the orientation of the laser beams and the maximal speed of the wheelchair.

Functional Analysis of the Trunk Flexion-Extension Through Gaussian Functions Fitting of the Movement Profile

A healthy mobility of the trunk plays a fundamental role in the activities of daily living. The flexion-extension movement is one of the main tasks evaluated in clinical practice to assess the functionality of the spine. Nevertheless, no fully shared methods are currently available for the clinician to perform quantitative evaluations on the movement quality. In this paper, the trunk flexion-extension task performed by 36 healthy adult subjects, for a total of 104 acquisitions, was acquired with an optoelectronic system of 8 cameras and 32 skin passive optical markers. The absolute displacement of the subject’s seventh thoracic vertebra (T7) was fitted with an asymmetric Gaussian function, comparing the performance of four alternative cost functions in the optimization process. A set of descriptive parameters for the quantitative evaluation of the profile, suitable for the everyday use in the clinical practice, was designed and applied on the current dataset. Statistical analysis was performed on residuals of the fitting process, coefficients of the optimal fitting functions and proposed descriptive parameters, outlining a preliminary description of the trunk flexion-extension movement in the healthy adult.

Agreement between the inertial measurement unit and optoelectronic system to measure postural sway

BACKGROUND: Optoelectronic systems and force platforms represent the gold standard for postural sway assessment, but pose disadvantages in terms of equipment, cost and preparation time. OBJECTIVE: Wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) have been proposed to overcome these issues, but have never been compared to an optoelectronic system. The study aim was therefore to investigate agreement between inertial measurement unit and optoelectronic system in postural sway assessment. METHODS: Thirty healthy volunteers performed four balance tasks. IMU was placed on the sacrum (S2) with a retroreflective marker over the sensor and subjects’ performance was simultaneously recorded by both systems. Total (TOT), anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) length of trace, range, speed, root mean squared (RMS), and confidence ellipse were computed. RESULTS: ICCs revealed excellent correlations for Length-TOT, Length-AP and Speed-AP, good correlation for Length-ML, Speed-ML, Confidence Ellipse, Range-AP and RMS-AP, and moderate correlation for range-ML and RMS-ML. Bland-Altman plot showed greater estimation for Length-TOT, Length-AP, Speed-AP, confidence ellipse and RMS-AP using optoelectronic system, and for Length-ML, Range-AP, Range-ML, Speed-ML, RMS-ML using IMU. Both systems revealed the same differences among tasks. CONCLUSION: The excellent to good agreement of IMU for length of trace and speed parameters and its user-friendly application suggest its potential implementations in clinical practice.