Human motion tracking
Nodes is a VR rehabilitation motion suit intended for medical/research purposes to measure and record the orientation of human body segments. When the system is placed on a body segment, it estimates its orientation in the 3D space and the motor skills parameters related to the examined body part can be computed. When the system is connected to two or more consecutive body segments (interconnected by joints), it’s possible to measure and record relative orientations among segments as well as angles between joints.
Intended use – research, clinical and home rehabilitation
The device is intended to be used for treatment and rehabilitation of patients that suffer from an injury or handicap. The data collected is made available to a medical professional who can use it to support his diagnosis and/or therapy plan or to gain insights into a patient’s mobility capacity.
This project was made possible by a contribution from the European Regional Development Fund as part of OP-Zuid. For more information see EFRO.
Our focus areas
Accurate results
Highly accurate sensors using state of the art sensor fusion algorithms.
Mobile & modular
Single sensor up to full body sensor suits with 20 sensors. Direct streaming to mobile devices.
Quick & easy to use
Fast setup for both home rehabilitation and clinical use.
VR rehabilitation
Low latency real time streaming of quanterion or raw data.
Affordable
Affordable technology for a wide audiences.
Problem
Healthcare is increasingly moving into the living room, and it is also being stimulated that people take more and more control over their own lives. In addition, exercise and sports are becoming increasingly important in healthcare, especially now that the focus is much more on prevention. Also in case of illness (e.g. stroke) or after surgery it is expected that you work on recovery in the home environment. However, the recommended exercises and thus recovery often do not take place because patients are misinformed, guidance is kept to a minimum and they are not motivated to work on their recovery.
Our solution
The aim of the NODES project is to make responsible movement and exercise “fun and motivating”, while giving care providers a good insight into the exercises that have been done to determine the next steps for recovery.
Joint exploration
To achieve this, two technology partners and four application partners consisting of hospitals, physiotherapy practises and sport school collaborate to build, improve and validate a complete motion capturing solution.
Revolutionizing Healthcare with our VR Rehabilitation Motion Suit
The integration of Virtual Reality (VR) into rehabilitation has transformed the landscape of patient care, and at the forefront of this innovation is the VR rehabilitation motion suit. This technology combines immersive VR environments with precise motion tracking to enhance rehabilitation processes. By wearing a motion suit embedded with advanced sensors, patients can engage in interactive exercises that are tailored to their specific needs. The suit captures and analyzes every movement in real-time, providing valuable feedback to both patients and healthcare professionals.
This approach to rehabilitation not only accelerates recovery by making exercises more engaging but also ensures that movements are performed correctly, reducing the risk of injury. The data collected from the motion suit can be used to monitor progress and adjust treatment plans, offering a highly personalized rehabilitation experience. For healthcare providers, this means more effective treatments, improved patient outcomes, and the ability to remotely monitor and adjust therapy as needed.
Technical Specifications
System specifications
Data architecture
Connect 1-5 NODES sensor strings to a main unit (up to 20 sensors). Main unit communicates wireless to PC with Matlab/Unity.
Wearability
- Jacket & trousers / complete suit for home rehabilitation
- Strap based solution: clinical use
- Body adhesives: clinical use
Motion data
- Raw 9DoF data (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer)
- Quaternions, integrated bio-mechanical model (18 segments)
Output rate
- 33Hz (wireless BLE, with 19 Nodes)
- Up to 100Hz (1 string wired connection)
Setup time
Approximately 3-7 minutes (depending on wearable solution)
Latency
30ms
Battery life
6h (19 nodes connected and wireless on)
Computer
Minimum requirements
- Intel i5, 1.8GHz, 4Gb RAM or more
- Built-in or external wireless BLE module
Supported OS
Windows 10 and later (x64)
Main unit
Connectivity
- Sensor port: connect 1-5 strings – micro USB
- Charging port: USB-C (5V, 2A)
- Wireless BLE data streaming
Buttons / Indicators
- Power on/off button: yes
- Battery level: yes
- Wireless connect: yes
- String indicator: Left Arm, Right Arm, Left Leg, Right Leg, Trunk
Product design
- Waterproof: yes
Sensor string
Connectivity
- Sensor connect to main unit: micro USB
- Sensors per string: 1-4 pcs
Sensors
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Magnetometer
Product design
- Waterproof: yes
Raw data or Quaternions
Quanterions
each sensor’s table presents 4 columns and as many rows as number of samples collected.
Raw measurement data
each sensor’s table presents 9 columns and as many rows as number of samples collected.
Accelerometer Data are reported in g. Gyroscope data are reported in rad/s. The magnetometer data are reported in G.
Benefits for Companies Integrating VR Rehabilitation Motion Suit Technology
For companies looking to integrate VR rehabilitation motion suits into their products or services, the benefits are substantial. This technology is not limited to healthcare; it can be adapted for use in various sectors, including sports training, ergonomic assessments, and even in the gaming industry for creating immersive experiences.
By incorporating this technology, companies can offer cutting-edge solutions that stand out in the market. The ability to track and analyze motion with high accuracy opens up new possibilities for product innovation, whether it’s developing new training programs, enhancing user engagement, or improving the safety and effectiveness of physical activities.
Moreover, the data generated by these motion suits can be invaluable for research and development, providing insights into human movement that can drive further innovation. For OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), partnering with a provider of VR rehabilitation motion suit technology offers a competitive edge, allowing them to offer advanced, ready-to-integrate solutions that meet the growing demand for VR and motion tracking in various industries.
Conclusion
The VR rehabilitation motion suit is more than just a tool for healthcare; it’s a versatile technology with applications across multiple industries. Whether used to enhance patient recovery, improve athletic performance, or create immersive VR experiences, the benefits are clear. For companies looking to innovate and integrate this technology into their offerings, the potential for growth and differentiation in the market is significant. Embracing this technology now positions you at the forefront of a rapidly evolving field. Besides full suits we also have simpler motion capturing solutions like QSense-Motion.
Partners
2M Engineering
Fantazm / Inmotion VR
Erasmus Medical Centre / Rijndam
Fontys Sporthogescholen
Ki2Move
Rijnstaete revalidatie