Virtual Reality Helps Diagnose Systemic Dizziness Episodes
|
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 12 Jan 2017 |
|
Image: The Myo armband helps diagnose vestibular disorders (Photo courtesy of KTU/LSMU).
An innovative portable technology provides a convenient and inexpensive method for diagnosing vestibular system disorders.
Developed jointly by researchers at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU; Lithuania) and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU; Kaunas), the technology is based on the Myo armband, a gesture recognition device worn on the forearm manufactured by Thalmic Labs (Kitchener, Canada), which enables the user to control technology wirelessly using various hand motions, interpreted using a set of electromyographic (EMG) sensors.
The EMG sensors identify electrical activity in the forearm muscles, which is then combined with a gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer to recognize the gestures. The researchers analyzed data from the Myo, combining it with additional input from Samsung virtual reality (VR) software, synchronizing between the different programming languages and environments in order to analyze vestibular conditions. The technology is currently being tested with healthy volunteers.
“Dizziness is a very common health disorder, experienced by both young and older people. Strong systemic dizziness, followed by imbalance, nausea, paleness, and perspiration interferes with human activities and can cause great anxiety,” said lead author Professor Ingrida Ulozienė, PhD, of LSMU. “If the condition persists, the quality of life, mood and work efficiency suffers. Sometimes dizziness can be a symptom of more serious diseases. Unfortunately, the condition is relatively difficult to diagnose.”
The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that process the sensory information involved with controlling balance and eye movements. Commonly diagnosed vestibular disorders include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis, Ménière’s disease, secondary endolymphatic hydrops, and perilymph fistula. Other problems related to vestibular dysfunction include vestibular migraine and complications from autoimmune disorders and allergies.
Related Links
Kaunas University of Technology
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
Thalmic Labs
Developed jointly by researchers at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU; Lithuania) and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU; Kaunas), the technology is based on the Myo armband, a gesture recognition device worn on the forearm manufactured by Thalmic Labs (Kitchener, Canada), which enables the user to control technology wirelessly using various hand motions, interpreted using a set of electromyographic (EMG) sensors.
The EMG sensors identify electrical activity in the forearm muscles, which is then combined with a gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer to recognize the gestures. The researchers analyzed data from the Myo, combining it with additional input from Samsung virtual reality (VR) software, synchronizing between the different programming languages and environments in order to analyze vestibular conditions. The technology is currently being tested with healthy volunteers.
“Dizziness is a very common health disorder, experienced by both young and older people. Strong systemic dizziness, followed by imbalance, nausea, paleness, and perspiration interferes with human activities and can cause great anxiety,” said lead author Professor Ingrida Ulozienė, PhD, of LSMU. “If the condition persists, the quality of life, mood and work efficiency suffers. Sometimes dizziness can be a symptom of more serious diseases. Unfortunately, the condition is relatively difficult to diagnose.”
The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that process the sensory information involved with controlling balance and eye movements. Commonly diagnosed vestibular disorders include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis, Ménière’s disease, secondary endolymphatic hydrops, and perilymph fistula. Other problems related to vestibular dysfunction include vestibular migraine and complications from autoimmune disorders and allergies.
Related Links
Kaunas University of Technology
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
Thalmic Labs
Gold Member
Handheld Blood Glucose Analyzer
STAT-Site
Creatinine/eGFR Meter
StatSensor® Creatinine/eGFR Meter
Resorbable Bovine Collagen Membrane
GenDerm
Latest Patient Care News
- AI Avatar Doctor Improves Patient Understanding Before Radiotherapy
- Wearable Sleep Data Predict Adherence to Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Revolutionary Automatic IV-Line Flushing Device to Enhance Infusion Care
- VR Training Tool Combats Contamination of Portable Medical Equipment
- Portable Biosensor Platform to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections
- First-Of-Its-Kind Portable Germicidal Light Technology Disinfects High-Touch Clinical Surfaces in Seconds
- Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization
- Game-Changing Innovation in Surgical Instrument Sterilization Significantly Improves OR Throughput
- Next Gen ICU Bed to Help Address Complex Critical Care Needs
- Groundbreaking AI-Powered UV-C Disinfection Technology Redefines Infection Control Landscape
- Clean Hospitals Can Reduce Antibiotic Resistance, Save Lives
- Smart Hospital Beds Improve Accuracy of Medical Diagnosis
- New Fast Endoscope Drying System Improves Productivity and Traceability
- World’s First Automated Endoscope Cleaner Fights Antimicrobial Resistance
- Portable High-Capacity Digital Stretcher Scales Provide Precision Weighing for Patients in ER
- Portable Clinical Scale with Remote Indicator Allows for Flexible Patient Weighing Use
Channels
Artificial Intelligence
view channel
AI Improves Bronchoscopic Navigation to Difficult-to-Reach Lung Lesions
Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality, and early detection improves survival. Reaching small, peripheral lung tumors for biopsy remains difficult because bronchoscopic navigation depends on... Read more
Collaborative AI System Improves Medical Diagnostic Accuracy
Hospitals face a persistent trade-off when deploying artificial intelligence for diagnosis. Broad “generalist” models handle many tasks but often lack disease-specific precision. Narrow “specialist” models... Read more
Critical Care
view channel
Adaptive Pulse Oximeter Improves Oxygen Measurement Across Skin Tones
Standard pulse oximeters can misread blood oxygen saturation in people with darker skin because melanin affects how light is absorbed and reflected. This can contribute to occult hypoxemia, in which dangerously... Read more
Wearable Sweat Test Simplifies Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosis
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that disrupts digestion and breathing. Diagnosis depends on sweat chloride testing that is typically limited to accredited centers and specialized laboratories.... Read more
Surgical Techniques
view channel
New Light-Activated Platform Advances Glioblastoma Surgery and Postoperative Treatment
Glioblastoma, an aggressive primary brain tumor, infiltrates healthy tissue and resists complete surgical removal. Residual microscopic disease and the blood–brain barrier limit the effectiveness of adjuvant... Read more
Dual-Energy Mapping and Ablation Catheter Receives CE Mark for Ventricular Arrhythmias
Ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and premature ventricular complexes, can be life-threatening and often occur in patients with advanced heart disease. Although catheter ablation... Read more
Medical Imaging
view channel
MRI-Guided Ultrasound Method Advances Targeted Treatment of Gliomas
Gliomas, the most common primary brain tumors in adults, include glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer. Drug delivery is hampered by the brain’s blood-brain barrier, limiting treatment efficacy... Read more
AI Accelerates Individualized Dosimetry for Prostate Cancer Treatment
Radiopharmaceutical therapy is an injected cancer treatment that delivers radiation through the body while selectively targeting tumors. In prostate cancer, current dosing remains largely uniform despite... Read more
Health IT
view channel
Digital Symptom Monitoring Supports More Personalized Breast Cancer Care
Metastatic breast cancer, in which tumors spread to other organs, is incurable but increasingly managed with modern systemic therapies. As more treatments shift from hospital infusions to oral or at-home... Read more
Short Digital Training Program Improves Motor Function in Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson's disease causes motor symptoms that interfere with movement and daily activities. Drug treatment is standard care, yet additional approaches are needed to target motor control.... Read more
Point of Care
view channel
Rapid Onsite Testing Reduces Emergency Department Transfers in Long-Term Care
Respiratory infections in long-term care residents frequently trigger emergency department transfers that strain hospital capacity and expose frail patients to additional risks. Turnaround delays from... Read more
New Brain Ultrasound Platform Enables Bedside Postoperative Imaging
Transporting postoperative patients for CT or MRI can create operational burdens, delays, and disruptions in care. Bedside visualization may help reduce transport demands, lower radiation exposure, and... Read more
Business
view channel
AI Software Combines Nodule Detection and Diagnosis for Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality, and screening programs rely on computed tomography to identify disease earlier when curative treatment is more likely. High patient volumes and... Read more
