Force Estimation with a Non-Uniform Pressure Sensor Array

2010 IEEE Instrumentation &Amp; Measurement Technology Conference Proceedings

Frize

et al. 2010

The use of unobtrusive sensors for physiological monitoring is growing in popularity. Advantages such as their non-contact nature and their limited cognitive demand on the user can increase acceptance and usefulness in certain populations. Biomedical applications for unobtrusive pressure sensors include the analysis of bed transfer sequences and the extraction of breathing rate during long-term trend analysis and health monitoring. This paper proposes an algorithm to measure chest wall motion using an unobtrusive pressure sensor array in a combined signal format and compare it to measurements derived from respiratory inductance plethysmography bands. The novel contributions are using an unobtrusive pressure sensor array beneath the mattress to determine the duration of inspiration and expiration segments, and to determine the timing of each movement. The cross-correlation was used to align signals for the pressure array. The durations of the movements were statistically similar, and the timing of the identified movements overlapped considerably (>80%) when the signals were aligned using the calculated delay value.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous work used the fiber optic pressure sensor array for the analysis of bed transfer sequences [8], force and contact location estimation [9], [10], as well as for the measurement of breathing rate [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring chest movement using an array of unobstusive pressure sensors

Townsend

2010 IEEE Instrumentation &Amp; Measurement Technology Conference Proceedings

Frize

et al. 2010

“…The location and force exerted on the bar were determined using the artificial neural network-based algorithms developed in [9] and [10]. Figure 2(a) contains the three sensor outputs recorded from a trial of StSi and SiSt transfers performed by a young test participant.…”

Section: A Location and Force Estimate Sequencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of commode grab bar usage for the monitoring of older adults in the smart home environment

Arcelus

Holtzman

2009 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society

et al. 2009

Self Cite

The occurrence of falls inside the home is a common yet potentially hazardous issue for adults as they age. Even with the installation of physical aids such as grab bars, weight transfers on and off a toilet or bathtub can become increasingly difficult as a person's level of physical mobility and sense of balance deteriorate. Detecting this deterioration becomes an important goal in fall prevention within a smart home. This paper develops an unobtrusive method of analyzing the usage of toilet grab bars using pressure sensors embedded into the arm rests of a commode. Clinical parameters are successfully extracted automatically from a series of stand-to-sit (StSi) and sit-to-stand (SiSt) transfers performed by a trial group of young and older adults. A preliminary comparison of the parameters indicates differences between the two groups, and aligns well with published characteristics obtained using accelerometers worn on the body. The unobtrusive nature of this method provides a useful tool to be incorporated into a system of continuous monitoring of older adults within the smart home environment.

“…Technologies such as wireless bed sensors have been used to monitor occupants while they are sleeping [1] and embedding technologies such as optical fiber pressure sensors into furniture could be used to monitor occupants throughout the home [2]. This technology has successfully been used to measure the force [3] and estimate the location of the applied force [4] on a set of grab bars placed in the bathroom. This paper focuses on measuring the sit-to-stand time from a bed using pressure sensitive mats placed underneath a bed mattress.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sit-to-stand timing measurements using pressure sensitive technology

Veledar

Arcelus

2010 IEEE Instrumentation &Amp; Measurement Technology Conference Proceedings

et al. 2010

Self Cite

Measuring and analyzing the sit-to-stand movement performed by an individual when rising from their bed can be used to document health and mobility. This paper investigates measuring sit-to-stand timing from young healthy subjects using non-invasive pressure sensitive array technology. First, it describes the pressure sensitive array, the experiment setup and data collection process. Next, three methods for measuring sit-tostand timing are examined. These include a method based on the combination of bed and foot pressure, an image-based method and a pressure signal-based method. Challenges, limitations and results are shown for each using data collected from 10 young healthy subjects. The pressure signal-based method measures the sit-to-stand time more effectively when comparing to video data. The further development of this method is then presented; this includes analyzing the pressure signal to detect phases that make up the sit-to-stand movement and a sample result for one young healthy subject is presented.