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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11465-011-0201-7

RESEARCH ARTICLE

A low cost wearable optical-based goniometer for human joint monitoring

  • Chee Kian LIM ,
  • Zhiqiang LUO ,
  • I-Ming CHEN ,
  • Song Huat YEO
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  • School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

Received date: 01 Sep 2010

Accepted date: 20 Oct 2010

Published date: 05 Mar 2011

Copyright

2014 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Abstract

Widely used in the fields of physical and occupational therapy, goniometers are indispensible when it comes to angular measurement of the human joint. In both fields, there is a need to measure the range of motion associated with various joints and muscle groups. For example, a goniometer may be used to help determine the current status of the range of motion in bend the arm at the elbow, bending the knee, or bending at the waist. The device can help to establish the range of motion at the beginning of the treatment series, and also allow the therapist to monitor progress during subsequent sessions. Most commonly found are the mechanical goniometers which are inexpensive but bulky. As the parts are mechanically linked, accuracy and resolution are largely limited. On the other hand, electronic and optical fiber-based goniometers promise better performance over its mechanical counterpart but due to higher cost and setup requirements does not make it an attractive proposition as well. In this paper, we present a reliable and non-intrusive design of an optical-based goniometer for human joint measurement. This device will allow continuous and long-term monitoring of human joint motion in everyday setting. The proposed device was benchmarked against mechanical goniometer and optical based motion capture system to validate its performance. From the empirical results, it has been proven that this design can be use as a robust and effective wearable joint monitoring device.

Key words： optical; goniometer; human-joint measurement

Cite this article

Chee Kian LIM , Zhiqiang LUO , I-Ming CHEN , Song Huat YEO . A low cost wearable optical-based goniometer for human joint monitoring[J]. Frontiers of Mechanical Engineering, 0 , 6(1) : 13 -22 . DOI: 10.1007/s11465-011-0201-7

Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by the Media Development Authority, Singapore under NRF IDM004-005 Grant and Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, under Astar-NKTH Singapore Hungary Joint Research Project SERC Grant 0521180050. The authors would like to thank and acknowledge the contributions and assistance rendered by Mr. Ong Chung Huar and Mr. Li Kang in this work.

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