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
Rapid Sepsis Test
SeptiCyte RAPID
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 Digital Twin Platform Supports Personalized Cancer Treatment
Oncology teams face persistent challenges in tailoring treatment plans as tumors evolve and responses vary across patients. Static snapshots from imaging or genomics offer limited guidance for complex... Read more
Study Reveals Persistent Race and Gender Bias in Medical AI Models
Hospitals are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to draft clinical materials and support decision-making, yet algorithmic bias can entrench inequities in care. When generated content reflects racial... Read more
New Study Highlights Benefits and Risks of AI Explanations in Clinical Diagnosis
Explainable artificial intelligence is increasingly used in tools that help clinicians and patients assess skin disease, but its explanations can influence decisions and contribute to overreliance or error.... Read more
Critical Care
view channel
Smart Patch Could Detect Fentanyl and Deliver Automatic Overdose Aid
Fentanyl overdoses can cause rapid respiratory depression and death, often occurring when no responder is present. Current reversal depends on timely administration of naloxone, which is not always available... Read more
AI Wearable Enables Continuous Noninvasive Arterial Blood Pressure Monitoring
Continuous, beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring in intensive care units often relies on arterial lines, which are invasive and carry risks such as bleeding, clotting, and infection. Intermittent cuff... Read more
Inflatable Device Streamlines Repositioning of Proned Ventilated Patients
Prone ventilation is a key intervention for severe respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome, but repositioning sedated, ventilated patients is labor-intensive and time-consuming.... Read more
Intensive Blood Pressure Management Reduces Recurrent Stroke After Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or bleeding within brain tissue, carries high early mortality and leaves survivors at substantial risk of recurrent stroke. Secondary prevention remains challenging because... Read moreSurgical Techniques
view channel
New Radiofrequency Wand Enhances Access and Tissue Targeting in Hip Surgery
Identifying the source of hip pain can be challenging, and arthroscopic repair is often technically demanding. Surgeons may struggle to reach targeted tissues in constrained joint spaces, while fixed-angle... Read more
Hybrid Bioprinting Platform Creates Capillary-Scale Vascular Networks
More than 100,000 people in the United States await organ transplants, and a new candidate is added every 10 minutes. Even when surgery succeeds, recipients face lifelong immunosuppression, infection risk... Read more
New Robotic Bronchoscopy Software Enables Flexible Imaging for Complex Lung Biopsies
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and early diagnosis often depends on accurately sampling small peripheral pulmonary lesions. Conventional bronchoscopy can be affected by... Read more
Medical Imaging
view channel
Imaging Biomarkers Aim to Personalize Treatment for Post-Stroke Bladder Dysfunction
Post-stroke lower urinary tract dysfunction, including urinary incontinence, affects many stroke survivors and can persist long after the acute event. These symptoms undermine independence, burden caregivers,... Read more
New AI Method Improves CT Images by Reducing Metal Artifacts
Computed tomography (CT) is essential for diagnosis and image‑guided treatment, yet high‑density metals such as dental fillings, orthopedic hardware, and stents create beam hardening and photon starvation... 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
Ultrathin Metasurface Could Bring Quantitative Phase Imaging to Portable Devices
Point-of-care imaging often depends on bulky optical systems that have difficulty visualizing nearly transparent cells and tissues without staining. These limitations can slow diagnosis and restrict use... Read more
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
Business
view channel
Teledyne to Acquire Varex Imaging in $1.1 Billion Deal
Teledyne Technologies and Varex Imaging Corporation announced a definitive agreement on August 10, 2026, under which Teledyne will acquire all outstanding common shares of Varex for USD 18.... Read more
