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
STI Test
Vivalytic Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Array
Emergency Ventilator
Shangrila935
High Pressure Balloon Catheter
UroMax Ultra
Latest Patient Care News
- 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
- Innovative and Highly Customizable Medical Carts Offer Unlimited Configuration Possibilities
- Biomolecular Wound Healing Film Adheres to Sensitive Tissue and Releases Active Ingredients
Channels
Critical Care
view channel
Engineered “Natural Killer” Cells Could Help Fight Cancer
Cancer immunotherapy has made major strides with engineered immune cells designed to destroy tumors, but challenges remain in making these treatments faster, safer, and more broadly available.... Read more
Faster Lymph Flow Predicts Better Response to Diuretics in Acute Heart Failure
Heart failure is a serious condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, often causing dangerous fluid buildup and swelling. Although diuretics are the primary treatment... Read more
New Global Recommendations Aim to End Deaths from Postpartum Hemorrhage
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), defined as excessive bleeding after childbirth, remains the world’s leading cause of maternal mortality, responsible for nearly 45,000 deaths each year. Affecting millions... Read more
New Guidance to Improve Diagnosis and Management of Heart Failure During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Heart disease remains the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States, with heart failure accounting for a large share of maternal morbidity and mortality. The condition, characterized... Read moreSurgical Techniques
view channel
Superior Orthopedic Implants Combat Infections and Quicken Healing After Surgery
Implant-associated infections remain one of the biggest challenges in orthopedic surgery, leading to device failure, prolonged recovery, and increased antibiotic resistance. Conventional implant materials... Read more
Laser-Based Technique Eliminates Pancreatic Tumors While Protecting Healthy Tissue
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common and deadliest form of pancreatic cancer, ranking as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Current tumor ablation techniques—using... Read more
Health IT
view channel
Printable Molecule-Selective Nanoparticles Enable Mass Production of Wearable Biosensors
The future of medicine is likely to focus on the personalization of healthcare—understanding exactly what an individual requires and delivering the appropriate combination of nutrients, metabolites, and... Read more
Business
view channel
Philips and Masimo Partner to Advance Patient Monitoring Measurement Technologies
Royal Philips (Amsterdam, Netherlands) and Masimo (Irvine, California, USA) have renewed their multi-year strategic collaboration, combining Philips’ expertise in patient monitoring with Masimo’s noninvasive... Read more
B. Braun Acquires Digital Microsurgery Company True Digital Surgery
The high-end microsurgery market in neurosurgery, spine, and ENT is undergoing a significant transformation. Traditional analog microscopes are giving way to digital exoscopes, which provide improved visualization,... Read more
CMEF 2025 to Promote Holistic and High-Quality Development of Medical and Health Industry
The 92nd China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF 2025) Autumn Exhibition is scheduled to be held from September 26 to 29 at the China Import and Export Fair Complex (Canton Fair Complex) in Guangzhou.... Read more