• View
• Edit
• History
• Print

Welcome!

Stacy Morris Bamberg, Lab Director

The BioInstrumentation Lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah is pleased to be associated with two diverse groups, the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH) and the Robotics Program at the University of Utah.

Our research involves development of innovative methods of analyzing interesting physiological parameters of humans (and robots!). A major research thrust is motion analysis, for instance to evaluate stability in older adults and to provide real-time feedback for persons with lower-limb prosthetics, or to determine position and orientation of a robot or actuator. We are also interested in novel screening methods, such as using the vibrotactile threshold to evaluate nerve health, such as to evaluate median nerve damage for screening for carpal tunnel syndrome or to investigate early peripheral neuropathy in pre-diabetes.

We recently enjoyed hosting the ACCESS women for lab tours, demonstrations and some hands-on (make that feet-on!) experiments.

Eric discussed MEMS accelerometers and gyros, and demonstrated robots and VICON motion tracking equipment.	Phil and Lynn demonstrated their insole instrumentation, respectively, to collect data long-term to evaluate balance, and to provide feedback corresponding to asymmetric gait.	Minu demonstrated the insole-platform, while ACCESS students observed their center of plantar pressure vary in real-time while balancing on one foot.