POSTURAL AND ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM

Abstract

A system for instrumenting athletes for postural (inertial system) and muscular analysis via electromyography. The developed system will analyze three-dimensional angular position at 8 distinct points and electromyography at 12 points in real time. All inertial modules and the 12-channel electromyograph wirelessly transmit information through a local network, which has 9 transmitters (8 inertial units and 1 12-channel electromyograph) and 1 receiver that coordinates the order of transmission of the transmitters. With this invention, it will be possible to improve athletes' performance and develop more precise diagnoses to aid in the treatment and prevention of injuries.

Description

1 / 12 POSTURAL AND ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION [Hi] The present invention relates to equipment to assist healthcare professionals in the analysis and diagnosis of muscle injuries, and can be used for the prevention and monitoring of their treatment. Furthermore, the proposed system can be used to improve physical performance. STATE OF THE ART

[02] With the relentless pursuit of improved athletic performance and the large number of musculoskeletal injuries suffered by elite athletes, the search for new tools to instrument them has been driven. In this context, in recent years, there have been advances in musculoskeletal analysis techniques for athletes. However, many of these techniques have limitations in application and are expensive. Therefore, the present invention presents a low-cost instrumentation system that allows for postural and muscle activation analysis of athletes. Posture analysis is performed using inertial systems for three-dimensional angular measurement at eight points, and muscle activation is measured using electromyographic signals at twelve points. All system information is transmitted wirelessly, allowing for the analysis of athletes during physical activity.Since all the system's sensors transmit information wirelessly, the developed tool allows for the refinement of movements during training and the identification of abnormal patterns that may indicate injuries if the athlete continues the activity.

[03] Patent CN105943042, entitled “Operator-hand-behavior perception system based on electromyographic signals”, deals with a type of bracelet composed of an electromyograph to identify hand movements. After collecting the electromyographic signal, it is Petition 870190011250, dated 04 / 02 / 2019, page 11 / 40 2 / 12 conditioned and wirelessly transmitted to an actuator so that it can repeat the movements. This technology has been employed in space missions and can be used in orthotics. Therefore, it makes use of electromyography but for completely different applications. It resembles the present invention only in its use of electromyography.

[04] Patent KR20150000241, entitled “System for analyzing surface electromyographic based on gait phases”, uses electromyography to analyze human gait. The main objective of this invention is to try to relate electromyographic signals to gait phases, that is, to associate the signals obtained with different supports (pressure on different parts of the feet) and angular positions of the lower limbs during gait (e.g., knee). This invention can be useful in rehabilitation treatments. The present invention shares the use of electromyography, but this tool does not allow for obtaining complete information, especially when used for the analysis of sports activities. In the present invention, in addition to performing electromyographic analysis, postural analysis is also carried out; that is, it is possible to cross-reference different types of information for more precise and complete diagnoses.Additionally, the present invention transmits information wirelessly and can be used in any environment.

[05] Patent RU2618104, entitled “Integrated method for monitoring and analysis of bench press competitive exercise movement of athletes with musculoskeletal system disorders, engaged in powerlifting”, presents a method for analyzing bench press (weightlifting) athletes. The movement is analyzed using video cameras and muscle activation using 8 channels of electromyography. The analysis method proposed in RU261810 does not allow for the analysis of data at the moment the activity is being performed; that is, all data collected during the activity are recorded and subsequently transferred to the computer. Petition 870190011250, dated 04 / 02 / 2019, page 12 / 40 3 / 12 Therefore, the method requires data processing time after the activity has ended. In turn, the methodology proposed in this patent application transfers data in real time and wirelessly, that is, it makes it possible to analyze the athlete during the activity and consequently make corrections to the movement and prevent injuries. Furthermore, the method proposed by RU261810 cannot be used in any environment, as it uses video cameras; that is, the data quality depends on the environment where the test is being performed (clarity and sharpness to detect the markers). The present patent application uses inertial systems for movement analysis, which gives the system versatility and allows it to be used in the field of activity and not only in the laboratory.

[06] Patent CN106361323, entitled “SEMG (Surface Electromyography)-based swallowing function detecting system”, like the present invention, is in the field of medical instrumentation and uses surface electromyography. The objective of this invention is to detect swallowing from the electromyographic signal of the muscle group responsible for swallowing. The signal transmission is wireless, the instrument is small, easy to handle, and has repeatability. Although it uses electromyography and has wireless information transmission, this invention has a completely different application from the present patent application and only allows for the analysis of muscle activation. In this invention, electromyography is used in 12 muscles and postural analysis is performed at 8 points, with all information being transmitted wirelessly simultaneously.

[07] Patent EP3069656, entitled “System for the acquisition and analysis of muscle activity and operation method thereof”, uses electromyography and video cameras to monitor the physical activity of athletes. The difference between this technology and that of the present invention lies in the use of video cameras and inertial sensors, respectively, for the analysis of movement (posture). The use of video cameras does not allow the Petition 870190011250, dated 04 / 02 / 2019, page 13 / 40 4 / 12 The system can be applied anywhere (for example: during physical activity outside of laboratories) and does not allow for obtaining real-time information. Therefore, the present invention offers greater versatility and efficiency, as it can be used in any environment and transmits information wirelessly; that is, the athlete does not need to be near the computer and be hindered by cables and the range of video cameras.

[08] Patent CN103584857, entitled “Self-storage portable exercise electromyographic signal collecting device,” uses electromyography with accelerometers and gyroscopes to associate muscle signals with limb movement. In CN103584857, they relate limb velocity (gyroscope) and acceleration (accelerometer) to the electromyographic signal. It differs from the present patent application because the proposed technology allows for real-time data analysis and postural analysis through three-dimensional angular position measurement (we transform and fuse the gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer data). In addition to greater versatility, the present invention retrieves information about posture at 8 distinct points, not just the velocity and acceleration of limb movement.Furthermore, when the system can be applied for real-time exercise analysis, movement corrections can be made during physical activity to improve athlete performance and prevent injuries.

[09] Patent CN103417218, entitled “Parameter acquisition evaluating system and method of upper limb movement”, uses video and electromyography cameras to analyze the upper limbs. The objective of the proposed system is to detect how much the movement of the upper limbs differs from patterns considered normal in order to work on the rehabilitation of patients. For this, they use 2 video cameras and an 8-channel electromyograph. Our invention consists of 8 inertial sets for posture (movement) analysis and a 12-channel electromyograph. Therefore, in addition to having a greater number of channels for muscle analysis, Petition 870190011250, dated 04 / 02 / 2019, page 14 / 40 5 / 12 Our system can be used in any environment, unlike the one proposed in CN103417218. Systems that use cameras have limitations in certain environments due to external factors such as lighting. Furthermore, the present object transmits data wirelessly, which can be used in real time. [oio] Patent “CA2714857,” entitled “Electromyographic (EMG) device for the diagnosis and treatment of muscle injuries,” uses electromyography to construct a device capable of assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of muscle injuries. It works with localized areas of sensitivity in a muscle (pain, stiffness). These points are associated with spontaneous electromyographic activity. In this way, the application of electromyography is different from that proposed in the present invention. Here, it is possible to perform analyses as proposed in CA271485 and return the information in real time, in addition to allowing postural analysis. [oil] Patent CN102210925, entitled “Sports training analysis system based on digital site and electromechanical signal,” refers to the field of sports training automation, being a system based on digital training fields that uses myoelectric signals to improve the training level of athletes. It can be used for various sports, similar to the present invention. The present patent application offers greater versatility, as it can be used in any environment and can analyze athletes during physical activity, improving their movements to enhance performance and prevent / treat injuries.

[012] US patent 2011118621, entitled “Muscular energy state analysis system and method for swing motion and computer program product thereof”, uses electromyography to analyze muscle energy for swing motion, allowing the analysis of muscle performance at the moment the physical activity is being performed, enabling adjustments during the activity to prevent injuries. The subject of this patent application Petition 870190011250, dated 04 / 02 / 2019, page 15 / 40 The 6 / 12 performs postural analysis based on three-dimensional angular position measurement at 8 points and 12 points of real-time electromyography, in addition to allowing data storage after the test.

[013] US patent 7264554B2, entitled “Method and system for athletic motion analysis and instruction,” used inertial sensors along with a video camera to improve athletes' performance through motion analysis. This device only allows for motion analysis. The object of the present patent application, in addition to performing motion analysis from the measurement of three-dimensional angular position at 8 points, also allows for the analysis of muscles with 12 electromyography channels.

[014] Patent KR20050097181, entitled “Walking pattern analysis apparatus and method using inertial sensor,” developed an apparatus and method for gait pattern analysis using an inertial sensor. In this invention, the authors focused more on the method than on the instrument. The system they proposed only allows for the analysis of human movement through the use of inertial sensors. The object of the present patent application, in addition to performing movement analysis from the measurement of three-dimensional angular position at 8 points, also allows for the analysis of muscles with 12 electromyography channels.

[015] Patent W02009112281A1, entitled “Garment integrated apparatus for online posture and body movement detection, analysis and feedback”, developed a garment for the upper body that allows the detection of the orientation of body segments located in the upper body. The author highlights that it is possible to construct a garment for the lower body. Therefore, it is a wearable technology that allows the analysis of the movement of only segments of the human body. The object of this patent application, in addition to performing movement analysis from the measurement of three-dimensional angular position at 8 points, also allows the analysis of muscles with 12 electromyography channels. Petition 870190011250, dated 04 / 02 / 2019, page 16 / 40 7 / 12

[016] Patent GB2415788A, entitled “Measuring exercise using EMG measurements”, used electromyographic signals to measure movements in terms of physical exercise level, determination of muscle fatigue, and muscle activation. This invention provides feedback on exercise performance through a display. The author proposes only a method for analyzing the signals collected from electromyographs; that is, he is only interested in processing the collected signals. The object of the present patent application has a different focus, in that the electromyograph was built together with the posture analysis system so that it is possible to acquire signals during physical activity and assist in the evaluation of athletes.

[017] Patent CN104925610A, entitled “Elevator human body state detection apparatus and system,” used wireless sensing to analyze the elevation state of the human body. For this purpose, in addition to sensing, an apparatus was built to induce the body to rise. The only similarity with respect to the object of the present patent application is the use of wireless networks composed of sensors.

[018] US patent 20050010139, entitled “Body movement monitoring device”, developed a device for analyzing body movement at four points. The system developed in US patent 20050010139 stores the information in memory and then transfers it to the computer via cable. Thus, it only allows the analysis of four points and does not allow the analysis of data in real time, since the test data is stored in memory and transferred by cable to the computer after the activity is finished. The object of the present patent application allows the analysis, in real time, of movement at 8 distinct points through three-dimensional angular analysis simultaneously with the analysis of 12 muscles by electromyography. Petition 870190011250, dated 04 / 02 / 2019, page 17 / 40 8 / 12

[019] US patent 20090030344, entitled “Control System for a Lower Limb Prosthesis or Orthosis”, developed a system for controlling orthoses applied to the lower limbs. To this end, the system developed in US patent 20090030344 analyzes the extension and flexion interactions of the knee joint, compares them with reference values ​​through an electronic circuit, and emits the control signal to the prostheses and orthoses. The only similarity with the object of the present patent application is the interest in analyzing the behavior of lower limb joints. However, the purpose of the designs is distinct. STATE OF THE ART PROBLEMS

[020] Currently, large parts of the analyses, especially postural ones, are done through visual analysis and tests that are quantified by the professional with manual measuring instruments or with the use of a video camera. In the case of visual analysis, since these analyses are done by humans, it is difficult to have good repeatability and reproducibility. When the professional performs a visual analysis or uses other methods that do not involve sensing, it is not possible to quantify how far the behavior is from the normal range, nor is it possible to identify patterns that indicate that the athlete is close to having an injury.

[021] Analysis performed by video cameras cannot be carried out in any environment and requires analysis after the test, i.e., it does not allow analysis to be carried out at the moment the activity is being carried out. ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[022] The present invention allows for real-time three-dimensional postural analysis at 8 points simultaneously with muscle activation analysis at 12 points. All data are transmitted over a wireless local area network and stored electronically in text documents on the computer. Petition 870190011250, dated 04 / 02 / 2019, page 18 / 40 9 / 12

[023] With the developed system it is possible to instrumentalize athletes and obtain data to work on the prevention and treatment of injuries. Figure 1 shows a diagram describing the developed system.

[024] The present invention solves issues related to the competitiveness and versatility of the process of evaluating possible causes of athlete injuries and evaluating injury treatment. The developed system allows all measurements to occur simultaneously from sensors with defined track widths, guaranteeing metrological quality. All information is sent wirelessly, which allows athletes to be analyzed during physical activities in any environment. In addition, there is a human-machine interface that facilitates the analysis of the results obtained and facilitates communication between professionals in the field. All tests are electronically processed, which facilitates the monitoring of injury treatment during the patient's evolution and consequently to assess whether the treatment being applied is ideal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[025] The muscle analysis system forms a wireless sensor array, composed of 8 inertial units for postural analysis and a 12-channel electromyograph. The system will be detailed below. An example of application is for the analysis of human gait (running or walking). For postural analysis, the inertial units were positioned on the chest, abdomen, right and left femur, left and right knee, and left and right ankle. These points were chosen so that it would be possible to analyze the posture of the trunk and the main joints involved in human gait (hip, knee, and ankle). During sports practice (in this case, human gait), these muscles are required. Since the proposed system has 12 electromyography channels, 12 muscles that are among the main ones during gait were chosen to be analyzed.The muscles are: Gluteus Maximus (left and right), Biceps Femoris (left and right), Vastus Lateralis (left and right), Vastus Medialis. Petition 870190011250, dated 04 / 02 / 2019, page 19 / 40 10 / 12

[026] left and right, left and right anterior tibialis, and left and right gastrocnemius. It is worth highlighting the versatility of the system, which allows you to choose the points of interest. For the case of human gait, we chose these points. For the practice of other sports, there would be no impediment to using the proposed system to analyze other points. The system is described below.

[027] Inertial System Each unit of the inertial system is responsible for measuring the three-dimensional angular position at the point where it is positioned and consequently allowing posture analysis. Each inertial unit is composed of inertial sensors (triaxial accelerometer, triaxial gyroscope, triaxial magnetometer), ATMEGA328 microcontroller and wireless communication module (NRF24L01) operating as a transmitter. The gyroscope is an instrument that measures three-dimensional angular velocity. By integrating the angular velocity with respect to time, it is possible to obtain the angular position on each of the three axes. The accelerometer is an instrument that measures linear acceleration and acceleration due to gravity. Since the acceleration due to gravity does not change for movements around the Z-axis, the decomposition of the acceleration components allows the accelerometer to measure the angular position only around the X-axis and the Y-axis.The magnetometer is an instrument that measures the orientation of the magnetic field and can be used to measure angular position around the Z-axis. These three instruments, when used separately to measure angular position, do not perform satisfactorily. The gyroscope accumulates integration errors and, over time, exhibits data drift. The accelerometer and magnetometer produce noisy measurements. To overcome these limitations, a Kalman filter was used to combine the sensor data and obtain reliable angular position measurements. The Kalman filter model used was a simple model implemented within each ATMEGA328 microcontroller. Figure 2 represents a system unit. Petition 870190011250, dated 04 / 02 / 2019, page 20 / 40 11 / 12 inertial unit that makes up the postural analysis system. Each inertial unit has dimensions (L, W, H) 56mm x 54mm x 52mm.

[028] Electromyography Each muscle to be analyzed uses an electromyography channel. Each channel consists of an operational amplifier with high common-mode rejection that amplifies the electromyographic signal captured by the surface electrodes, an active low-pass filter to eliminate signals above 200 Hz, an active high-pass filter to eliminate signals with frequencies below 20 Hz, and a conditioning stage that rectifies and encapsulates the electromyographic signal. The first stage, with the instrumentation amplifier, aims to reject the common-mode signal and amplify the signal being collected. The low-pass filter serves to eliminate high-frequency noise and prevent errors in the reconstruction of the sampled signal due to low sampling rates (Aliasing). The high-pass filter serves to eliminate low-frequency noise, which is usually caused by cable movement and is undesirable.The rectification stage serves to transform the alternating signal into a continuous signal that can be read by the microcontroller. The envelope stage is used to extract the average value of the rectified signal. The 12 channels together form a 12-channel electromyograph, which has an ATmega2560 microcontroller to read the signals from the 12 channels and a wireless communication module (NRF24L01) operating as a transmitter for sending the data. Figure 3 represents the 12-channel electromyograph. The 12-channel electromyograph has dimensions (L, W, H) 135mm x 105mm x 87mm.

[029] Wireless sensor network The 8 inertial units (system for posture analysis) and the 12-channel electromyograph (system for muscle analysis) have the characteristics described above and form a network of 9 devices. To ensure timely data transmission and to coordinate data transmission from the 9 devices, the following were used Petition 870190011250, dated 04 / 02 / 2019, page 21 / 40 12 / 12 the concepts of a master-slave type network. In this case, the master is the receiver that is connected to the computer and the 9 slaves are the 8 inertial units and the electromyograph. In this way, the receiver ensures that the transmissions are made in an organized manner and without significant loss of information. Figure 4 illustrates the format of the wireless network implemented in this invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[030] Figure 1: Wireless postural and electromyographic analysis system. As can be seen in the figure, we have 8 postural analysis points and 12 electromyographic analysis points sending information wirelessly. The receiver, which is connected to a microcontroller that is connected to the computer, receives the wireless information from the postural and electromyographic systems and displays it on the computer's graphical interface.

[031] Figure 2: Postural analysis system unit. The figure highlights the microcontroller responsible for processing the data, the inertial unit which is composed of an accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer, the NRF24L01 wireless information transmission module and the system embedded in the ABS box with a button to select the position it is in as 0°. The system is powered by a 9-volt battery.

[032] Figure 3: 12-channel electromyograph. Highlighted are the board for each channel, the input plugs for the 12 channels, the 12-channel output bus where the analog inputs of the microcontroller are connected, the NRF24L01 wireless transmission module, and the microcontroller responsible for reading the electromyograph data. The system is powered by 3 9-volt batteries (1 for the microcontroller and 2 for the EMG).

[033] Figure 4: Wireless master-slave sensor network. s1-s8 represent the 8 inertial units that form the postural analysis system. s9 represents the 12-channel electromyograph. All 9 elements of the network are controlled by the receiver and form a versatile, low-cost system that allows for real-time analysis of posture and muscle activation. Petition 870190011250, dated 04 / 02 / 2019, page 22 / 40

Claims

1 / 1 CLAIMS 1. POSTURAL AND ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM, characterized by containing twelve electromyography channels and eight modules for postural analysis by three-dimensional angular position; Petition 870190011250, dated 04 / 02 / 2019, page 23 / 40

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