Feetb@ck

Description:
Company
Evalan is a product-oriented innovation company based in The Netherlands. Evalan focuses on applications that use state-of-the-art communications technology and internet applications in health care. Evalan develops, markets and sells personal mobile devices that help people manage chronic health conditions. In this field Evalan works in cooperation with international technology partners and executes projects for health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and hospitals. Trade names of Evalan's products are Evalandata, SenseMedic, IDQare and Feetb@ckMotion.

Project Description
In cooperation with the University Medical Centers of Utrecht and Groningen, Evalan is developing a device that is used in two “telecare” programs – one of these programs is designed to help chronic patients obtain and maintain a healthier lifestyle, the other program is designed to support patients during their rehabilitation of leg fractures. In both programs data is collected from sensors and an accelerometer at the patient, transmitted in real-time to a central server, analyzed and used to provide intelligent and motivational feedback to the patient and his health care provider – hence the name: “Feetb@ck”.

A prototype of the device has been developed and tested during preliminary trials at both UMC’s. Evalan is now starting the next stage of development of this device to prepare it for larger scale use. This device is the topic of this graduation project, for which the student will be asked to consider the following:

- Review the current device (design, software) and compare it with other, similar devices through literature study.
- Research how three dimensional accelerometer data can be used to identify activity type [1].
- Develop and test software for the Atmel microcontroller on the device to determine energy use and activity type. [2]
- Develop a strategy for data compression and implement this in the software of the device.
- Develop a strategy for processing data from multiple inputs on the device, and transmission to the central server.

Depending on the interest of the student, one or more of the following topics can also be part of this assignment [OPTIONAL]:

- Review the current approach to GPRS/GSM transmission of the data, review and/or develop/test software that controls this transmission through the Telit GE864 Module.
- Participate in real life testing (with doctors, nurses and patients) at the UMC’s, and collect user experiences.
- Develop a strategy to move post-processing of the data (currently done after the data has been transmitted to the central server) to the device.

More information
Please contact us by phone or e-mail if you like more information. We are prepared to tailor this assignment such that it meets your interests and needs and those of the University.

References

[1] A. G. Bonomi, G. Plasqui, A. H. C. Goris and K. R. Westerterp J Appl Physiol 107:655-661, 2009. First published Jun 25, 2009; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00150.2009

[2] http://www.atmel.com/products/AVR/default.asp?family_id=607 (accessed 24 April 2010)

[3] http://www.telit.com/en/products/gsm-gprs.php?p_id=12&p_ac=show&p=11 (accessed 24 April 2010)

More information

More information about this assignment? Contact: Rieks op den Akker