Mobile and wireless inertial sensor platform for motion capturing in stroke rehabilitation sessions

Fully mobile and wireless motion capturing is a mandatory requirement for undisturbed and non-reactive analysis of human movements. Therefore, inertial sensor platforms are used in applications like analysis of training sessions in sports or rehabilitation, and allow non-restricted motion capturing. The computation of the required reliable orientation estimation based on the inertial sensor RAW data is a demanding computational task. Highly customized and thus low-power wearable computation platforms require low-level, platform independent communication protocols and connectivity. State-of-the-art small sized commercial inertial sensors either lack the availability of an open, platform independent protocol, wireless connectivity or extension interfaces for additional sensors. Therefore, a extensible, wireless inertial sensor called (IM)²SU^*, featuring onboard inertial sensor fusion, for use in home based stroke rehabilitation is proposed. To evaluate orientation estimation accuracy an optical system is used as golden reference. The proposed IMU provides high orientation estimation accuracy, low costs, a platform independent, wireless connection and extensibility.