Vertebral Metrics - Automation of a Non-invasive Instrument to Analyse the Spine

Ana Gabriel, Claudia Quaresma, Pedro Vieira

2015

Abstract

Back pain is a major health problem in modern society. It is known that the main responsible for this symptom are the biomechanical changes in the spinal column. Thus, it is important to develop an instrument that evaluates in a global way the spinal column in a standing position. For that purpose, a complete innovative and non-invasive system – the Vertebral Metrics – has been built. The Vertebral Metrics is a semi-automatic equipment designed to identify the spatial position of each spinal process from the first cervical to the first sacral vertebra. Using a camera and a laser diode the recognition is achieved with software capable of distinguishing prominent blue marks that identifies each spinous process. After the validation process it was concluded that the Vertebral Metrics is a reliable and valid instrument. However, the time required for a completely scan is still too long for practical use. Thus, we are presently working on the automation of this medical device by developing a new prototype. The process will comprise several modifications in the equipment as the introduction of fluorescent markers, UV lights and two video cameras. The identification of the vertebras will be performed by the stereo vision method. The software must be adapted to the new assembly.

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Paper Citation


in Harvard Style

Gabriel A., Quaresma C. and Vieira P. (2015). Vertebral Metrics - Automation of a Non-invasive Instrument to Analyse the Spine . In Proceedings of the International Conference on Biomedical Electronics and Devices - Volume 1: BIODEVICES, (BIOSTEC 2015) ISBN 978-989-758-071-0, pages 150-155. DOI: 10.5220/0005276101500155


in Bibtex Style

@conference{biodevices15,
author={Ana Gabriel and Claudia Quaresma and Pedro Vieira},
title={Vertebral Metrics - Automation of a Non-invasive Instrument to Analyse the Spine},
booktitle={Proceedings of the International Conference on Biomedical Electronics and Devices - Volume 1: BIODEVICES, (BIOSTEC 2015)},
year={2015},
pages={150-155},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0005276101500155},
isbn={978-989-758-071-0},
}


in EndNote Style

TY - CONF
JO - Proceedings of the International Conference on Biomedical Electronics and Devices - Volume 1: BIODEVICES, (BIOSTEC 2015)
TI - Vertebral Metrics - Automation of a Non-invasive Instrument to Analyse the Spine
SN - 978-989-758-071-0
AU - Gabriel A.
AU - Quaresma C.
AU - Vieira P.
PY - 2015
SP - 150
EP - 155
DO - 10.5220/0005276101500155