SPINAL/PELVIC ALIGNMENT MONITORING OF WHEELCHAIR USERS

脊柱畸形可导致稳定性和上身功能丧失， 包括呼吸能力的下降。有效的非侵入性 测量和记录脊柱/骨盆对线的程序 没有座位。本提案的重点是描述 使用无线电测量脊柱/骨盆对齐的新方法 频率载波相位测量技术利用这种方法 一个人仍然坐在他或她自己的个人轮式移动装置上， 设备.小型灵活的发射天线被贴在突出的 脊椎上的标志接收天线被战略性地放置在 坐在轮椅后面。一旦被处理，接收到的信号 提供数据，以允许精确的三维测量 人的脊柱/骨盆排列。 拟定商业应用： 本建议书中描述的开发具有潜在的商业价值。 在康复市场的应用。这个装置会让它 可以跟踪，一个人的脊柱/骨盆对齐超过 时间，因此表明是否可能有问题的人的 座椅系统，或如果治疗技术的变化是必要的。 医院、理疗诊所和辅助技术诊所 都希望能够监控 脊柱/骨盆对线。他将寻找一个制造合作伙伴， 第二阶段是将设备推向市场。

Spinal deformity can lead to loss of stability and upper body function, including a decrease in respiratory capacity. Effective non-invasive procedures for measuring and recording spinal/pelvic alignment of a seated person are unavailable. The focus of this proposal is to describe a new method of measuring spinal/pelvic alignment using a radio frequency carrier phase measurement technique. To utilize this method a person remains seated in his or her own personal wheeled mobility device. Small, flexible transmitting antennas are taped to prominent landmarks on the spine. Receiving antennas are strategically placed behind the person's wheelchair. Once processed, the received signal provides data to allow accurate three dimensional measurement of a person's spinal/pelvic alignment. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: The development described in this proposal has potential commercial applications in the rehabilitation marketplace. The device will make it possible to track, the spinal/pelvic alignment of an individual over time, therefore indicating if there may be a problem with the person's seating system, or if a change in therapy techniques is warranted. Hospitals, physical therapy clinics, and assistive technology clinics would all be interested in having the capability to monitor spinal/pelvic alignment. A manufacturing partner will he sought during phase II to bring the device to the marketplace.