Analysis of pressure distribution at the body-seat interface in able-bodied and paraplegic subjects using a deformable active contour algorithm

In this paper, a semi-automatic method for segmenting pressure distribution image-based data at the body-seat interface is presented. The purpose of t his work was to estimate the surface and the load supported by the ischial tuberosity (IT) region. The proposed method involves three steps: (1) detec ting the IT region using a pressure-distribution image gradient; (2) estima ting the contour of the IT region by an iterative active contour algorithm and finally (3) estimating the percentage of the surface and the weight-bea ring of the IT region in a group of able-bodied (AB) and spinal-cord injury (SCI) subjects. It was found in this study that the weight bearing on the IT for the spinal-cord injured group is distributed on half the surface in comparison with the AB group or the powered wheelchair users groups. The fi ndings of this study provide insights concerning pressure distribution in s itting for the paraplegic and able-bodied. (C) 2001 IPEM. Published by Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.