PyTHang: an open-source wearable sensor system for real-time monitoring of head-torso angle for ambulatory applications

GÜRKAN G.

COMPUTER METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, vol.24, no.9, pp.1003-1018, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 24 Issue: 9
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/10255842.2020.1864822
  • Journal Name: COMPUTER METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, Compendex, EMBASE, INSPEC, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.1003-1018
  • Istanbul Kültür University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This article presents the realization of a low-cost wearable sensor system and its Python-based software that can measure and record relative head-torso angle, especially in sagittal plane. The system is mainly developed to track head-torso angle during walk in a clinical study. The open-hardware part of the system is composed of a pair of triaxial digital accelerometers, a microprocessor, a Bluetooth module and a rechargeable battery unit. The reception of the transmitted acceleration data, visualization, interactive sensor alignment, angle estimation and data-logging are realized by the developed open-source graphical user interface. The system is tested on a tripod for verification and on a subject for practical demonstration. Developed system can be constructed and used for ambulatory monitoring and analysis of relative head-torso angle. Open-source user interface can be downloaded and developed for further (different) algorithms and device hardware.