Project Phases

 Task 2 (T2): Conceptual design of REHAB-IMMERSIVE platform    

The conceptual design of REHAB-IMMERSIVE will set the basis for the future developments of the project. This task will be led by UCLM, the technical partner, with the contribution of the clinical part.

The objectives are as follows:

§  Development of the concept of the REHAB-IMMERSIVE platform, in terms of target users, joints and movements to study, and architecture.

§  Incorporation of user needs and criteria for use in the design of the system.

§  Development of a conceptual design of the algorithms to adapt therapy based on the technology used (Leap Motion and Virtual Reality devices).

 Task 3 (T3): Development of the REHAB-IMMERSIVE kernel                                                     

This task will be led by UCLM. The objectives of this task are as follows:

§  To integrate all components into the RehabHand platform. The software prototype obtained after completing this task will represent the core system of REHAB-IMMERSIVE, laying the foundations for the future integration of VR applications (please see task 6). Also, this software prototype will be used in clinical tests to validate the proposed concept.

§  To configure the control of VR applications through all the sensors and technologies used.

§  To ensure the tracking process is properly carried out.

§  To perform functional tests in the laboratory. 

 Task 4 (T4): Functional resonance magnetic imaging (fMRI)      

This task will be led by HNP. This task is essential with the aim of involving fMRI as validation proof within T8 related to the functional validation of the REHAB-IMMERSIVE system.

The objectives of this task are as follows:

§  To incorporate the fMRI for detecting signs of improvement after the rehabilitation treatment.

§  To design and describe a motor paradigm and the corresponding experimental protocol, suitable for all the participants, whether healthy or SCI patients.

§  To extend the fMRI post-processing for analyzing voxel-based morphometry and voxel-based thickness of T1-weighted images.

 Task 5 (T5): Analysis of the kinematic characteristics of the movements of the upper limb      

This task will be led by HNP. The objectives of this task are as follows:

§  To incorporate the kinematic data capture software and the indices implemented in RehabHand prototype to determine the patient’s motor performance.

§  To analyze the kinematics during the performance of virtual tasks (desktop vs. immersive).

 Task 6 (T6): Development of virtual reality applications 

As mentioned above, this project is based on a previous rehabilitation prototype that has certain limitations:

1.   The immersive environment has been developed from the previous application for LMC that uses the LMC SDK version 2.3.1. This has produced that when using an immersive environment, the deficiencies in the model of the hand and in the models of grip and manipulation of objects are more visible, translating into a sometimes frustrating experience.

2.   It is necessary to have gaming equipment, now not available, that guarantees to have the adequate features for adequate performance in the immersive environment.

3.   Inability to analyze whether there is similarity between the kinematics of the movements carried out in the manipulation of the desktop applications proposed in RehabHand and those carried out in the immersive environment through VR and LMC glasses.

Therefore, the above limitations justify the need to reprogram part of the existing prototype and the development of new customised VR applications, adapting them to the needs of each patient and the user interface.

This task will be led by UCLM. The objectives of this task are as follows:

§  To resolve the limitations of the previous prototype and design new tools adapted to the needs of the patient.

§  To integrate all components into the RehabHand system. The prototype developed in this task will be used in clinical tests to validate the concept in an iterative process.

§  To test the developed applications and debug errors.

 Task 7 (T7): Cloud integration of REHAB-IMMERSIVE   

One of the main objectives of the project is the deployment of the system in the cloud. This will facilitate simultaneous access to services and data from different medical centers interested in the use of the proposed system, supporting a possible high computing load. The deployment of systems in the cloud has a series of advantages such as almost immediate replication of both the system and updates, without the need for local manipulation. However, this approach also implies the need for comprehensive control over data access with strong security restrictions.

We propose to make use of Amazon Web Services as the technological basis to meet the objectives set out in Task T7. The researchers of the AIR group have experience on using this platform in other health-related projects.

This task is led by the UCLM, the technical partner, in which the specific objectives are the following:

§  Integrate all components of the REHAB-IMMERSIVE into ‘the cloud’. The resulting platform in this task will be used to carry out clinical tests by interested external centers.

§  To provide the necessary mechanisms to guarantee the security, data privacy and an adequate user management.

 Task 8 (T8): Technical, functional evaluation and usability analysis of REHAB-IMMERSIVE   

This task will be led by HNP. In this task, it will be verified whether the REHAB-IMMERSIVE platform satisfies the technical, clinical and functional specifications defined in task 1. A group of potential users of the prototype will be selected based on the defined inclusion criteria.

The main objective of this task is the execution of the protocols defined in task 1 for the technological, functional and usability evaluation of REHAB-IMMERSIVE. The clinical validation will only be carried out with the aim of finding clues that reveal the possible clinical applicability of the prototype, analyzing the characteristics of the movements carried out in virtual desktop and immersive environments. Assessment of the clinical efficacy of the prototype is outside the scope of this project.  

 Task 9 (T9): Dissemination and exploitation of the results    

This task is common to both subprojects. The pursued objectives are as follows:

§  To study the possibilities of involving companies interested in the results of the project (EPOs), so that REHAB-IMMERSIVE becomes a product that allows relocating the treatment of the hospital environment.

§  Protection of Intellectual Property of the REHAB-IMMERSIVE platform. 

§  Preparation of a contract with a private company, with experience in the rehabilitation sector, to consider the possibility of incorporating REHAB-IMMERSIVE as part of a rehabilitation product / system on the market.

§  Dissemination of scientific results.

 Task 10 (T10): Project closure.  

This task is common to both subprojects. The objectives pursued are as follows:

§  To generate the final project report.

§  To properly carry out the administrative closure of the project.