PyTHang: an open-source wearable sensor system for real-time monitoring of head-torso angle for ambulatory applications

Abstract

This article presents the realization of a low-cost wearable sensor system and its Python-based software that can measure and record relative head-torso angle, especially in sagittal plane. The system is mainly developed to track head-torso angle during walk in a clinical study. The open-hardware part of the system is composed of a pair of triaxial digital accelerometers, a microprocessor, a Bluetooth module and a rechargeable battery unit. The reception of the transmitted acceleration data, visualization, interactive sensor alignment, angle estimation and data-logging are realized by the developed open-source graphical user interface. The system is tested on a tripod for verification and on a subject for practical demonstration. Developed system can be constructed and used for ambulatory monitoring and analysis of relative head-torso angle. Open-source user interface can be downloaded and developed for further (different) algorithms and device hardware.

Keywords:

• Accelerometer
• head-torso angle
• wearable devices
• open-hardware
• open-source software

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reporte by the authors.

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank Prof. Dr. Nazif Ekin Akalan and his colleagues (Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Kültür University, Istanbul, Turkey) for their support and suggestions through the development of the device.