Study on Development of Real-Time Vestibular Measuring Device

The vestibular system is one of body sensation systems and plays a very important role in the process of human development from lying to standing. It is not only the major source for the formation of spatial cognition, but also for the real-time detection of gravity at the time of dynamic activity. Human beings rely on this sensation to help in daily living and to maintain anti-gravity, secure one's balance, and to determent orientation. Without normal vestibular function, people will lose orientation and feel vertigo. In this developmental research, we created a real-time vestibular measuring (RVM) device combining the technology of a gyroscope sensor. The RVM device could be portable and easy to use in manual and automatic operations. For rotatory accuracy and precision testing, this study firstly conducted calibrations between servo motor (with or without weight loading) and gyroscope monitoring, and then designed for 8-direction program with 3 modes. Secondly, for applying program testing, this study detected 5 subjects, 4 females and 1 male), with designed program for testing their vestibular sensitivities. Finally, we compared subjects' vestibular sensitivities with their spatial cognition and habits to find out the pilot correlations. The RVM device testing revealed us that weight loading rotatory plate could be controlled normally, under 4 rpm, accompanied with gyroscope monitoring. The RVM device could also perform clockwise, counter clockwise, and freewill rotation functions according to commands from the program. Those subjects also completed 4 random directional tests and 1 freewill rotation, and results showed 2 high vestibular sensitivities, and 3 medium-low sensitivities. High sensitive subjects tend to like active recreational activities; however, the medium-low subjects prefer static activities. In conclusion, the newly developed RVM device could be programed and well controlled by a smart phone, and it also provide us to measure vestibular sensitivity which could preliminarily judge one's activity style.