Wearable monitoring devices for assistive technology: case studies in post-polio syndrome.
The correct choice and customization of an orthosis are crucial to obtain the best comfort and efficiency. This study explored the feasibility of a multivariate quantitative assessment of the functional efficiency of lower limb orthosis through a novel wearable system. Gait basographic parameters and energetic indexes were analysed during a Six-Minute Walking Test (6-MWT) through a cost-effective, non-invasive polygraph device, with a multichannel wireless transmission, that carried out electro-cardiograph (ECG); impedance-cardiograph (ICG); and lower-limb accelerations detection. Four subjects affected by Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) were recruited. The wearable device and the semi-automatic post-processing software provided a novel set of objective data to assess the overall efficiency of the patient-orthosis system. Despite the small number of examined subjects, the results obtained with this new approach encourage the application of the method thus enlarging the dataset to validate this promising protocol and measuring system in supporting clinical decisions and out of a laboratory environment.
Design Department, Politecnico di Milano, via G. Durando 38/A, Milan 20158, Italy. giuseppe.andreoni@polimi.it.
Giuseppe
G
Andreoni
Design Department, Politecnico di Milano, via G. Durando 38/A, Milan 20158, Italy. marco.mazzola@polimi.it.
Marco
M
Mazzola
Design Department, Politecnico di Milano, via G. Durando 38/A, Milan 20158, Italy. paolo.perego@polimi.it.
Paolo
P
Perego
Design Department, Politecnico di Milano, via G. Durando 38/A, Milan 20158, Italy. carloemilio.standoli@gmail.com.
Carlo Emilio
CE
Standoli
Design Department, Politecnico di Milano, via G. Durando 38/A, Milan 20158, Italy. simone.manzoni@mail.polimi.it.
Simone
S
Manzoni
SXT-Sistemi per Telemedicina s.r.l., via M. D'Oggiono 18/A, Lecco 23900, Italy. lpiccini@sxt-telemed.it.
Luca
L
Piccini
Villa Beretta" Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital, Via N.Sauro, 17 - 23845 Costa Masnaga (LC), Italy. fmolteni@valduce.it.
Franco
F
Molteni