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Biomechanics Research Laboratory
Biomechanics
"The study of the body in terms of its mechanical structure and properties. "
Mission
The mission of the Biomechanics Research Laboratory is to improve thte quality of life for aging and disabled patients and their caregivers by applying biomechanical analysis, design and development to partient care techniques and equipments
Goals
- To conduct applied biomechanics research that addresses current healthcare need of VA patients and their caregivers
- To make available a biomechanics laboratory environment for dveloping practical solutions to patent care problems
- To disseminate these practical new solutions and innovations and transfer new technologies to the marketplace.
Key Technologies
- HumanTRAC
A computer-based three-dimensional human motion tracking system. A controlled electromagnetic field is emitted within the work area, which is used to track the position of up to 17 sensors simultaneously. The sensors are placed on key body segments including head, neck, chest, abdomen, arms, hands, legs and feet. The mode of data transmission used allows for untethered data acquisition within the work area.
The information gathers is mapped onto a realistically articulate computer-generated model of the human form. Human motion sequences are recorded in real time to the hard drive for playback and analysis Analysis tools used include joint angle measurement, calculation of joint moments and torques.
"Thermography is a measurement of the body or an organ by infrared sensing devices, based on self-emanating infrared radiation."
The biomechanics research laboratory incorporates a calibrated thermal video
camera, which uses infrared technology to monitor and record thermal characteristics during task performance. Data from the thermal camera
may be recorded to videotape via a multimedia system, or directly to
computer for software analysis.
A computer-based force sensor system is available to record task application forces, such as grip force, product interface contact force, etc. This technology may also be used to calibrate EMG activity as a function of appllied force.
A capacitive pressure measurement system is used to measure patient/equipment interface pressures. The system includes calibrated presure mats, each containing up to 2404 individual force sensors. The mats may be configured for various measurement applications, such as hospital bed, stretcher, prone cart, wheelchair, etc. Data from this technology is recorded using a dedicated software spplication for subsequent analysis. The system includes a pressure mat calibrator to maximize confidence of measures during clinical trials.
"Electromyography is a test which measures muscle fiber recruitment during the performance of manual activities."
A four-channel computer-based digital electromyography recorder is used to monitor and record muscle activity during task performance. Each EMG channel has a signal pre-amplifier to minimize masking of true data, which is typically caused by 'noise' due to motion of the wires.
Heart rate activity may be monitored during task performance via a chest sensor that transmits recordings telemetrically to a wristwatch monitor worn by a participant. Data is downloaded from the wrist module to computer for time-line analysis.
- LabTech Virtual Instrumentation
A computer virtual electronics workbench is available to develop new dedicated objective measurement systems, or electronic prototypical produdct. This technology uses software simulation of electronics circuitry. 
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