CHaT service platform, Center for Health and Technology service platform. 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2024
Abstract
Society 5.0 is a vision in which emerging technologies are used as a tool in health. In Medicine 4.0 smart health is required for innovation. In this context, the multidisciplinary interfaculty institute CHaT, Center for Health and Technology, has already more than ten years of experience in methods and algorithms developed using optoelectronic marker-based measurement systems for biomechanical movement and gait analyses. The main drawback of this optical technology is the use of passive markers because it is time-consuming to place the markers on the skeleton of the subject. In addition, occlusions are common since each marker must be detectable by at least 2 cameras at any time in order to be correctly interpolated. Recently, CHaT successfully installed a unique 4D4A lab that consists of a markerless 4D (3D plus time) body scanner. It provides a 3D human full body shape that consists of a watertight mesh with a density of 50,000 points, adding time as a 4th dimension. It includes texture with a sub-1mm accuracy at 178 3D images per second, obtaining more than 100 dynamic biometric measurements (like height and waist circumference) in a second. This offers additional opportunities, such as measuring during COVID time and a free natural movement of the test subject. Parameters such as center of mass, balance control, gait spatiotemporal parameters and movement asymmetry can be assessed in the 4D4A lab also as a function of metadata (e.g., shape, age and gender). Established research results can be redefined, such as mechanical energy estimation approaches on the center of mass and the sum of segmental energies during sports and regular physical activities such as walking and cycling. The 4D scanner provides new scientific insight into movement patterns correlated to different types of body forms and somatotype classification in terms of 4D data. Possible restrictions in the movement of body parts against each other can be assessed in the 4D4A lab, e.g., restriction of range of motion, gait in people with neurological conditions, amputees and obese people. Overall, the 4D4A lab is a solution to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the health care system increasing the effectiveness of the therapy and empowerment of the patients. Before the CHaT service platform is self-sufficient, by providing 4D4A lab services to industry, hospitals and research institutions, a number of bottlenecks still need to be addressed: 1) Validation of the developed algorithms, protocols, products and devices to meet specific customer's demand; 2) Development of a business plan to establish a CHaT service platform to convert 4D high-tech knowledge into a service platform.