title: Analysis of pressure distribution at the body-seat interface in able-bodied and paraplegic subjects using a deformable active contour algorithm.
abstract: In this paper, a semi-automatic method for segmenting pressure distribution image-based data at the body-seat interface is presented. The purpose of this work was to estimate the surface and the load supported by the ischial tuberosity (IT) region. The proposed method involves three steps: (1) detecting the IT region using a pressure-distribution image gradient; (2) estimating the contour of the IT region by an iterative active contour algorithm and finally (3) estimating the percentage of the surface and the weight-bearing of the IT region in a group of able-bodied (AB) and spinal-cord injury (SCI) subjects. It was found in this study that the weight bearing on the IT for the spinal-cord injured group is distributed on half the surface in comparison with the AB group or the powered wheelchair users groups. The findings of this study provide insights concerning pressure distribution in sitting for the paraplegic and able-bodied.
authors.affiliation: Département de Génie de la production automatisée, Ecole de Technologie Supérieure, 1100, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, Quebéc, Canada H3C 1K3. rachid.aissaoui@etsmtl.ca
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aissaoui
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kauffmann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dansereau
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: de Guise
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007512:Ischium / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011187:Posture; D011312:Pressure; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014160:Transducers, Pressure; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D014910:Wheelchairs