Electromagnetic measurement of spinal curvature

Authors

Ronan Fitzmaurice, University College Dublin
Ted Burke, Technological University DublinFollow
Annraoi De Paor, University College Dublin

Document Type

Conference Paper

Rights

Available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International Licence

Disciplines

Electrical and electronic engineering, Health-related biotechnology

Publication Details

In Proceedings of IEEE EMBSS UKRI PGBIOMED'05, University of Reading, UK, July 18-20, 2005, pp.13-14.

Abstract

In this paper, we describe an original mathematical technique for calculating the position and orientation of an electromagnetic coil from a minimum of four collinear magnetic field measurements. This problem arose in the development of a system for evaluating the efficacy of inflatable back rafts designed to mitigate complications that arise from the immobilisation of patients with suspected spinal injuries on spinal boards during transport to hospital. Electromagnetic markers are attached to points of interest on the back of an immobilised test subject. Spinal curvature is then measured by passing a magnetometer underneath the board.

Recommended Citation

Fitzmaurice, Ronan, Burke, Ted, De Paor, Annraoi: Electromagnetic measurement of spinal curvature. Proceedings of IEEE EMBSS UKRI PGBIOMED'05, University of Reading, UK, July 18-20, 2005, pp.13-14.