Mediterranean Conference on Embedded Computing MECO - 2012 Bar, Montenegro © 2012 MECO Identification of Anatomical Landmarks for Intelligent Postural Sensing Goran Devedžić University of Kragujevac Faculty of Engineering Sestre Janjić 6, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia devedzic@kg.ac.rs Radovan Stojanović University of Montenegro Faculty of Electrical Engineering Cetinjski put b.b., Podgorica, Montenegro stox@ac.me Vanja Luković University of Kragujevac Technical Faculty Svetog Save 65, 32000 Čačak, Serbia vanja@tfc.kg.ac.rs Saša Ćuković University of Kragujevac Faculty of Engineering Sestre Janjić 6, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia cukovic@kg.ac.rs Danijela Milošević University of Kragujevac Technical Faculty Svetog Save 65, 32000 Čačak, Serbia danijela@tfc.kg.ac.rs Abstract— The paper addresses conceptual outlines of non- invasive identification of human back’s shape and corresponding spinal deformities affected by bad postural modes. The methodology of intelligent postural sensing (IPS) is based on application of wireless on-body sensors, 3D surface shape of human back (trunk), 3D kinematic model of the spine, and Internet based scoliosis information system. Essentially, the IPS system monitor posture and back shape through continuous computational analysis of anatomical landmarks’ distances gathered from the network of sensors and matching with the model of spine. It is aimed in prevention and (customized) rehabilitation of spinal deformities caused by bad posturing. Keywords-Intelligent sensors, Spinal deformities, Anatomical landmarks, Posture monitoring I. INTRODUCTION The shape of the human back is affected by variety of postures, as well as pathological effects that mainly involve spinal deformities. This paper addresses non-invasive identification of human back’s shape which reflects both spinal deformity (scoliosis, kyphosys, and lordosis) and bad postural modes that may initiate and lead to deformity. Modern wireless sensing together with 3D geometrical (surface) anatomical models creates the basis for implementation of sophisticated embedded system that may be employed for prevention and rehabilitation. So far, application of different kinds of body sensors involves monitoring of position, motion, temperature and other human body parameters, aimed at various areas, such as medicine, sports, entertaining and gaming, military, aero spatial, risk management, and security [1-5]. On the other side, Rehabilitation Engineering (RE), being the subfield, inherits key characteristics from the broad field of Biomedical Engineering (BME), which “integrates and promotes physical, chemical, or mathematical sciences and engineering principles for the study of biology, medicine, behavior, or health” [6]. In that course, RE’s specific characteristics involve design and development of assistive devices that aid individuals with disabilities to integrate into the community. Providing good posture and performing corrective actions with patients with spinal disorders are functional areas within subfield of RE. This paper presents an approach of wireless on-body sensing in connection with Internet based medical information system for purposes of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis diagnosis, monitoring, and visualization – ScolioMedIS [7]. The emphasis is given to the prevention and rehabilitation of spinal deformities. II. THE METHODOLOGY OF INTELLIGENT POSTURAL SENSING Idiopathic scoliosis is 3D deformity (of unknown origin) that produces the curvature of the spine in frontal and sagittal planes, with the rotation of the vertebral bodies [9, 10]. It also affects the trunk as a whole, causing rotation of the ribcage and, consequently, ribs and shoulder blades prominence, pelvic tilt and torsion, uneven leg lengths, etc. That is, the scoliosis deformity of the spine reflects at the shape of the trunk anatomic surfaces. Traditionally, in clinical practice, idiopathic spinal deformities are routinely diagnosed and monitored using x-rays, rarely using CT scanners due to very high effective doses of ionizing radiation [8]. Since the significant number of juveniles and adolescents suffer from spinal deformities (scoliosis mostly), which are caused by bad sitting postures during puberty, the fastest growth period, radiation-free techniques considerably attract clinical and research attention.