Title :
An improved video-based computer tracking systems for soft biomaterials testing
Author :
Downs, John ; Halperin, Henry ; Humphrey, Jay ; Yin, Frank
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Med., Johns Hopkins Med. Inst., Baltimore, MD, USA
Abstract :
An improved video-based computer system is presented for online tracking of small markers moving in a plane. The system consists of a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, a video monitor, a dedicated 80386/20 microcomputer, a video frame grabber, and custom software. Up to four markers can be tracked at the 30-Hz video frame rate using a two-step, correlation based search procedure. The requisite hardware and software requirements are discussed, and how this tracking system can be used to collect strain data during biaxial stretching tests on planar soft tissues is shown. Operating at 30 Hz, this system is an improvement over those previously reported, which either are slower or yield less information.
Keywords :
biological techniques and instruments; biology computing; biomechanics; computerised instrumentation; microcomputer applications; television applications; 30 Hz; CCD camera; biaxial stretching tests; charge-coupled device; correlation based search procedure; hardware requirements; improved video-based computer tracking systems; microcomputer; online tracking; planar soft tissues; soft biomaterials testing; software requirements; strain data; video frame grabber; Biological tissues; Capacitive sensors; Charge coupled devices; Distortion measurement; Optical fibers; Photodiodes; Physiology; Strain measurement; Stress measurement; System testing; Algorithms; Biocompatible Materials; Biomechanics; Materials Testing; Microcomputers; Software; Stress, Mechanical; Video Recording;
Journal_Title :
Biomedical Engineering, IEEE Transactions on
