Development and evaluation of a new body-seat interface shape measurement system

A new system has been developed to capture the body-seat interface shape. It can repeatedly and accurately measure interface deformation. The shape sensing array system uses optical fiber technology and is noninvasive. The system can cover an interface as large as 400/spl times/480 mm and the shape is measured over a 10/spl times/12 array of sensors laminated on ribbon substrates. The accuracy and repeatability of this system were assessed. Measurement errors were evaluated by comparing the shape with a reference shape obtained by a mechanical digitizer. The root-mean-square error in the Z direction for the system was 3.79 mm. The repeatability of the system was within 0.38 mm under controlled conditions. Different interface materials noticeably affected measurements. With the development of this interface shape measurement device, the basic information gathered through its use may prove to be fundamental in the successful design of generic-shape contoured support surfaces. Furthermore, we expect that the new shape measurement device will provide a quick and effective tool for cushion evaluation and clinical guidelines for cushion prescription.

[1]  Simon P. Levine,et al.  Tissue Shape and Deformation Versus Pressure as a Characterization of the Seating Interface , 1990 .

[2]  D M Brienza,et al.  Determination of generic body-seat interface shapes by cluster analysis. , 2000, IEEE transactions on rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

[3]  G V Cochran,et al.  Ultrasound mapping of the buttock-cushion interface contour. , 1984, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[4]  S Sprigle,et al.  Development of uniform terminology and procedures to describe wheelchair cushion characteristics. , 2001, Journal of rehabilitation research and development.

[5]  M Ferguson-Pell,et al.  Prototype development and comparative evaluation of wheelchair pressure mapping system. , 1993, Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA.

[6]  D M Brienza,et al.  A system for the analysis of seat support surfaces using surface shape control and simultaneous measurement of applied pressures. , 1996, IEEE transactions on rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

[7]  S Sprigle,et al.  Using seat contour measurements during seating evaluations of individuals with SCI. , 1993, Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA.

[8]  David M. Brienza,et al.  Design of a computer-controlled seating surface for research applications , 1993 .

[9]  C E Brubaker,et al.  Computer design and fabrication of custom-contoured seating. , 1991, Medical design and material.

[10]  Mary Anne White,et al.  Properties of Materials , 1999 .

[11]  S. Shapiro,et al.  A Comparative Study of Various Tests for Normality , 1968 .

[12]  Lee A. Danisch,et al.  Spatially continuous six degree of freedom position and orientation sensor , 1999 .

[13]  N Yamazaki.  Analysis of sitting comfortability of driver's seat by contact shape. , 1992, Ergonomics.

[14]  D. Hobson.  Comparative effects of posture on pressure and shear at the body-seat interface. , 1992, Journal of rehabilitation research and development.

[15]  N S Latman,et al.  Expressions of accuracy in the evaluation of biomedical instrumentation. , 1998, Biomedical instrumentation & technology.

[16]  Seong Rok Chang,et al.  Measurement and three-dimensional graphic representations of Korean seatpan and seatback contours , 1996 .

[17]  William C. Schefler,et al.  Statistics: Concepts and Applications , 1988 .

[18]  H W Stoudt,et al.  The Anthropometry of the Elderly , 1981, Human factors.