PROLIMBElectronic Sensing for the Prophylaxis of Lower Limb Pathologies (2010-2013)

PARTNERSINESC Porto

- UTM, Optical and Electronic Technologies- UOSE U. Minho- Centre for Textile Science and Technology

OBJECTIVESDevelopment and implementation of a wearable electronic system, to capture physical quantities

associated to human locomotion in the most comfortable and non-invasive mode, even for people with serious disabilities and physical impairments.

The system should be usable as a wearable garment and functionally autonomous, allowing the monitoring of the most relevant quantities, not only in clinical or lab environment, but also in the patient’s daily life, with minimal interference and discomfort. The quantities to be captured include linear and angular movements of the lower limbs, as well as the myoelectric signals observed at the surface of thighs and legs. The observation of these quantities allows for a multifactorial analysis of locomotion and, consequently, a more accurate diagnosis and the possibility of understanding the role of different factors in pathology, helping the physician in the decision taking procedure concerning the best therapies.

UOSESignal processing for locomotion analysis

CTSTElectrodes and communication links embedded in technical fabrics

OETWired sensor modules networkwith built-in self-test features

• Signal capture and communication prototype• Fardin Derogarian, João Canas Ferreira, Vítor M. Grade Tavares, “A Routing Protocol for WSN Based on the

Implementation of Source Routing for Minimum Cost Forwarding Method”, The Fifth International Conference on Sensor Technologies and Applications, SENSORCOMM, August 2011.

• Vila-Chã C, Falla D, Correia M, Farina D. Effects of short-term endurance and strength training on motor unit conduction velocity. XVIII Congress of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology, June 2010.

OUTCOMES (Dec2011)

PTDC/EEA-ELC/103683/2008