A Coruña, April 11th, 2024.- In a world where diseases of the spine are an increasingly common health concern, a promising innovation is emerging that could revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders, as well as the monitoring of the evolution of patients. The recent development of a non-invasive and low-cost system for the postural estimation of the spine, patented by researchers from the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory of CITENI of the UDC, represents a significant advance in the field of biomechanics and musculoskeletal health.
AN INNOVATIVE SYSTEM THAT MEASURES POSTURE IN REAL TIME
The invention consists of a system that estimates vertebral orientation using a multibody model of the spine and a reduced number of 3D orientation sensors: by placing five sensors on five identified vertebrae, the posture of the spine is stimulated completely and in real time. This is possible thanks to the orientation measurement provided by the sensors and the estimation algorithm developed by the LIM biomechanics team.
A SYSTEM THAT BENEFITS BOTH PATIENTS AND PRACTITIONERS
Until now, obtaining detailed information about the posture of the spine is proving to be costly, complex and, in many cases, requires exposure of the patient to harmful radiation. This new system offers an innovative solution that provides accurate and secure information on the posture of the spine in real time.
The potential of this technology is vast, as it allows the clinical diagnosis of certain pathologies as an alternative to X-rays. The aim is to promote its use in hospitals and health centres, but also in physiotherapy clinics and ergonomics centres, where the need for a low-cost, non-invasive solution is becoming essential.
THE CHUF WILL CONDUCT A CLINICAL STUDY TO DEMONSTRATE ITS EFFECTIVENESS
The Traumatology Service of the Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Ferrol (CHUF) has shown its interest in this technology, especially for children with scoliosis. Among other advantages, it would reduce the number of X-rays needed to monitor their illness and, consequently, the exposure to X-radiation at temperate times.
In the coming months, and thanks to the collaboration of the LIM with the Innovation Node of the Ferrol Health Area, directed by Javier Quiles, a clinical study will be carried out to confirm the effectiveness of the system by means of medical images.
AN INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENT TO THE BIOMECHANICS OF THE CITENI
The scientific publication by Urbano Lugrís, Florian Michaud and Javier Cuadrado on this innovative postural estimation system also aroused the interest of an American businessman. From San Diego, the LIM received a call to test the system in a Californian hospital, with the purpose of providing orthopaedic technicians with objective data that would allow them to effectively adjust the bones of patients with scoliosis. The tests were carried out in 2023 and the results obtained were promising.
FROM LIM TO SPIN-OFF MOTION AND FORCE ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS (MFES)
Recently, CITENI researchers, in collaboration with enxeñeiro and entrepreneur Alejandro Vázquez, created the spin-off company Motion and Force Engineering Solutions (MFES). This company was created with the aim of disseminating LIM advances and promoting R&D&I activity in the region of Ferrolterra, with a particular focus on the biomechanics of human movement and other areas related to Health Sciences. After patenting this innovative postural measurement system, they aspire to launch it on the market through a spin-off. With a commitment to boosting local innovation and contributing to scientific progress in the region, MFES is preparing to make this advanced technology available to those who need it most.
