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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)2022; 22(18); 7082; doi: 10.3390/s22187082

Development of a Novel Approach for Detection of Equine Lameness Based on Inertial Sensors: A Preliminary Study.

Abstract: Both as an aid for less experienced clinicians and to enhance objectivity and sharp clinical skills in professionals, quantitative technologies currently bring the equine lameness diagnostic closer to evidence-based veterinary medicine. The present paper describes an original, inertial sensor-based wireless device system, the Lameness Detector 0.1, used in ten horses with different lameness degrees in one fore- or hind-leg. By recording the impulses on three axes of the incorporated accelerometer in each leg of the assessed horse, and then processing the data using custom-designed software, the device proved its usefulness in lameness identification and severity scoring. Mean impulse values on the horizontal axis calculated for five consecutive steps above 85, regardless of the leg, indicated the slightest subjectively recognizable lameness, increasing to 130 in severe gait impairment. The range recorded on the same axis (between 61.2 and 67.4) in the sound legs allowed a safe cut-off value of 80 impulses for diagnosing a painful limb. The significance of various comparisons and several correlations highlighted the potential of this simple, affordable, and easy-to-use lameness detector device for further standardization as an aid for veterinarians in diagnosing lameness in horses.
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Publication Date: 2022-09-19 PubMed ID: 36146429PubMed Central: PMC9505255DOI: 10.3390/s22187082Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article presents a preliminary study on a novel device called the “Lameness Detector 0.1” that uses inertial sensors to detect and assess degrees of lameness in horses. This technology aims to assist veterinarians and less experienced clinicians in diagnosing equine lameness more objectively and efficiently.

Overview of the Device and Study Setup

  • The research revolves around a new tool called the “Lameness Detector 0.1”. It is a wireless device system based on inertial sensors, aimed at detecting and assessing equine lameness. The system can be attached to each leg of a horse to record impulses along three axes via an incorporated accelerometer.
  • The experimental group consisted of ten horses each having varying degrees of lameness in either a foreleg or hind leg. In evaluating the device’s accuracy, it was used to analyze and compare the horses’ leg movements against established clinical methods.

Data Processing and Results

  • The data gathered from the horses’ movements was processed using custom-designed software. The software was used to identify evidence of lameness and to score its severity.
  • The researchers found that mean impulse values on the horizontal axis that were above 85 indicated the slightest recognizable lameness, and this number increased up to 130 in cases of severe gait impairment.
  • The range of recorded impulses on the horizontal axis for horses without lameness was between 61.2 and 67.4. From these numbers, a safe cut-off value of 80 impulses was established to aid in diagnosing a horse with a painful limb or lameness.

Potential Implications

  • The authors highlighted the potential of this Lameness Detector 0.1 as an affordable, simple, and user-friendly aid for veterinarians. They suggest that this device could help standardize lameness detection in horses, contributing to a more objective and efficient diagnosis process.

Cite This Article

APA
Crecan CM, Morar IA, Lupsan AF, Repciuc CC, Rus MA, Pestean CP. (2022). Development of a Novel Approach for Detection of Equine Lameness Based on Inertial Sensors: A Preliminary Study. Sensors (Basel), 22(18), 7082. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22187082

Publication

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 1424-8220
NlmUniqueID: 101204366
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 22
Issue: 18
PII: 7082

Researcher Affiliations

Crecan, Cristian Mihaita
  • Department of Surgery and Intensive Care, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Morar, Iancu Adrian
  • Department of Obstetrics and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Lupsan, Alexandru Florin
  • Department of Surgery and Intensive Care, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Repciuc, Calin Cosmin
  • Department of Surgery and Intensive Care, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Rus, Mirela Alexandra
  • Department of Obstetrics and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Pestean, Cosmin Petru
  • Department of Surgery and Intensive Care, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Extremities
  • Gait
  • Hindlimb
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
  • Pain

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Crecan CM, Peștean CP. Inertial Sensor Technologies-Their Role in Equine Gait Analysis, a Review. Sensors (Basel) 2023 Jul 11;23(14).
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