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Development and clinical application of Vertebral Metrics: using a stereo vision system to assess the spine

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Abstract

The biomechanical changes in the spinal column are considered to be the main responsible for rachialgia. Although radiological techniques use ionizing radiation, they are the most applied tools to assess the biomechanics of the spine. To face this problem, non-invasive techniques must be developed. Vertebral Metrics is an ionizing radiation-free instrument designed to detect the 3D position of each vertebrae in a standing position. Using a stereo vision system combined with low intensity UV light, recognition is achieved with software capable of distinguishing fluorescent marks. The fluorescent marks are the skin projection of the vertex of the spinal processes. This paper presents a major development of Vertebral Metrics and its evaluation. It performs a scan in less than 45 s with a resolution on the order of 1 mm, in each spatial direction, therefore, allowing an accurate analysis of the spine. The instrument was applied to patients without associated pathology. Statistically significant differences between consecutive scans were not found. A positive correlation between the 3D positions of each vertebra and the homologous position of the other vertebrae was observed. Using Vertebral Metrics, innovative results can be obtained. It can be used in areas such as orthopedics, neurosurgery, and rehabilitation.

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Acknowledgments

Authors express gratitude for the precious collaboration of NGNS-Ingenious Solutions along this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Instrumentação, Engenharia Biomédica e Física da Radiação (LIBPhys-UNL), Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Monte da Caparica, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal

    Ana Teresa Gabriel, Cláudia Quaresma & Mário Forjaz Secca

  2. Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Monte da Caparica, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal

    Pedro Vieira

Authors
  1. Ana Teresa Gabriel
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  2. Cláudia Quaresma
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  3. Mário Forjaz Secca
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  4. Pedro Vieira
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ana Teresa Gabriel.

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All procedures performed in the studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Gabriel, A.T., Quaresma, C., Secca, M.F. et al. Development and clinical application of Vertebral Metrics: using a stereo vision system to assess the spine. Med Biol Eng Comput 56, 1435–1446 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-018-1789-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-018-1789-0

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