Partners

 

The Fusion consortium forms a balanced mix of companies and research institutions with internationally leading expertise in the area of Health Technology. The combination of motion tracking technology developers with a strong position in the international market, internationally leading research institutes and main clinical institutions with a strong regional position facilitates development of technologically state of the art and clinically innovative methods that are suited for large scale application in daily practice of physical therapy, sports and ergonomics.
In recent years this consortium was successful in developing, evaluating and marketing in non-medical area’s a first generation of ambulatory methods for 3D analysis of human movement on a firm basis of top industrial and experimental research. This forms a strong basis for development of the next generation methods: the FUSION Instant Motion tracking applications in de market of ‘turn key’ applications in physical therapy, ergonomics and sports.

RRD

Roessingh Research and Development is an institute for research and development of academic stature in the areas of rehabilitation, rehabilitation technology and telemedicine. RRD has strong ties with clinical institutions and networks, universities and commercial enterprises.
The group ‘3D Ambulatory Analysis of Human Movement’ of RRD contributes to the consortium with internationally leading knowledge on 3D assessment, analysis and interpretation of human movement over a wide range of applications, both of the  traditionally laboratory based and modern ambulatory type. In many applications this is combined with state of the art knowledge on surface EMG, 3D force assessment and biomechanical analysis into internal load exposure.
RRD has extensive experience with applying state of the art knowledge in clinical practical applications. Examples are: (ambulatory) 3D analysis of movement in e.g. stroke and CP patients, development and evaluation of orthoses/prostheses, evaluation/monitoring and training with feedback of low back pain patients, evaluation and training in sports (rowing, speed skating, running), prevention and restoration of sports injuries, EMG based assessments in spasticity, activity monitoring and classification and treatment of walking and arm function impairments with robotics and virtual reality.

Xsens

Xsens is one of the leading companies in the world in miniature inertial 3D motion measurement systems. Xsens was founded 9 years ago as a spin-off company of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (Prof. P. Veltink, UT BSS) of the University of Twente. Since then, Xsens rapidly and successfully developed (three years in a row in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 listing). In 2009 Xsens provides 50 FTE of high quality employment in the region.
Xsens is fully focused on the development of miniature motion sensors using 3D inertial sensors, the associated embedded software, algorithms and applications. Products include a variety of sensors, some integrated GPS receiver, for unmanned navigation of robots and vehicles. Xsens also develops sensors solutions suitable for applications in rehabilitation. In 2007 Xsens launched MVN, a high end product for registering human movement in 3D for game developers and special effects in the movie industry. This product made Xsens winner of the Overijssel Innovation Award 2007.

Universiteit Twente - Biomedische Signalen en Systemen (UT-BSS)

The Department of Biomedical Signals and Systems (BSS) at the University of Twente focuses on technology for monitoring and support of locomotion and other bodily functions of humans by means of signal exchange with the body. This results in intelligent measurement and feedback actuation systems on or in the body with distributed sensing and actuation (body area networks) that interact with remote practitioners  (remote monitoring / telemedicine). The department is part of the Institutes for Biomedical Engineering and Technical Medicine (BMTTM) and the Centre for Telematics and Information Technology (CTIT). In addition, the department part of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EWI).
Since 1990 the department of BSS made several internationally recognized contributions in the field of 3D motion analysis, especially regarding estimation of 3D orientation, position changes over time and relative positions on the body. In these contributions sensor fusion of accelerometers, angular rate sensors and magnetometers, together with on body magnetic actuation is applied. In recent years, focus was also on the ambulatory measurement of interaction forces with the environment in combination with motion-sensing, resulting in instrumented shoes. With these shoes ground reaction forces, foot movement and Center of Mass motion can be measured and estimated.

Biomedische Werktuigbouwkunde (UT-BW)

Biomechenical engineering is a department of the faculty of Engineering Technology (CTW) and part of the Research Institute for Biomedical Technology (BMTI) of the University of Twente (UT).
The activities of BW and BMTI focus on basic and applied research into the diagnosis and treatment of the postural and musculoskeletal of disorders (eg due to neurological disorders) and decreased sensorimotor skills through biomechanical analysis and modeling. The research in this field has a leading position in the world. In particular, the muscloskeletal model of the lower extremities developed by the group is one of a kind. It is the first model to consistently link the entire anatomical structure to the corresponding functional muscle parameters.

Tech Univ Delft Biomechatronica & BioRobotica (TUD)

The section Biomechatronics & Biorobotics (B&B)is part of the Department of Biomechanical Engineering at the Faculty 3ME (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) from the TU Delft. The Biomechanical Engineering Department focuses its activities in education, study and research on the interaction between biological and technological systems. The B&B section focuses on the human-machine interaction with a special focus on control by the neuromuscular system.
Medical applications are computer-assisted surgical planning (orthopedic implants, tendon transpositions, eye surgery, etc.), neurology, rehabilitation (patients with stroke, Parkinson's disease, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy), prosthetics and orthotics. Industrial applications are in the telemanipulation of EUROBOT robot arm for the international space station, haptic throttle). A special application is the design of humanoid walking robots. The research is done in a multidisciplinary environment with many industrial and medical partners, with a strong focus on social relevance.

Technology Trial Centre/ Groot Klimmendaal (TTC)

Rehabilitation centre Groot Klimmendaal and SizaDorp Group, a large health care institution for care and support to people with physical and mental disabilities, have joined forces in a center for application, demonstration and research of new healthcare technology (the Technology Trial Centre, TTC).
TTC has three objectives: 1 to perform product-oriented research for the application of technology in rehabilitation, the disabled and elderly (older people with increasing restrictions), 2 to demonstrate options for technology in residential care facilities, 3 to secure and exploit knowledge and form of a knowledge centre.

Sint Maartenskliniek Research (SMR)

St. Maartenskliniek is a Dutch categorical hospital specializing in musculoskeletal disorders. It is the only Dutch hospital specializing in musculoskeletal disorders. The hospital has offices in Woerden and Nijmegen and consists of three specializations: orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. Recent publications show that the clinic is leading in all three specialties in the Netherlands. Maartenskliniek Research BV (St. Martenskliniek RD&E) provides research, development and training for the St. Maartenskliniek. Together with the university department for rehabilitation a strong network is formed for both patient care and patient-related research.
In its development devision St. Maartenskliniek RD&E developed several innovative health care products including the Sports Medical Centre (SMC), and Real icara Health. St. Maartenskliniek RD&E conducts clinical research to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of treatments.