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Project Title: A Novel 3D Anatomical Landmarks Localisation System for Clinical and Functional Assessment of Individuals with Complex Postural Needs
The project is funded by the Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship (KESS) programme and will be based in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science at the University of South Wales. KESS is a programme funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) awarded by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) in the Welsh Government. The project is co-sponsored by the Rehabilitation Engineering Unit (REU), which is currently part of the Artificial Limb and Appliance Service (ALAS) of Cardiff & Vale University Health Board (UHB). This project provides an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to apply their knowledge of computer science/engineering to research and develop new techniques aimed at helping clinicians to combine the body shape data with the precise identification and localisation of anatomical landmarks for postural assessment.
Programme of research:
The main aim of this project is to investigate the feasibility of automatic measurement and recording of anatomical landmarks representing the skeletal configuration of clients of clinical services such as the Posture and Mobility Service provided by the REU. The project will be conducted as part of the long standing, 10 year, collaboration between University of South Wales (USW) and REU. The research group is seeking an enthusiastic candidate to contribute to the design, development and evaluation of the software and hardware that will be used to undertake clinical and functional assessments of clients with complex postural needs. A novel system for accurate anatomical landmarks localisation will employ a reference frame of four ultrasound sources as transmitters and miniature microphones as receivers that are embedded in the glove worn by a clinician. A central processing unit, from the known positions of the transmitters and the time of flight of the ultrasound signals until they reach the microphones, will compute the positions of the microphones, identifying and discarding possible false signals due to echoes and environmental noise. Further investigation will involve combining the anthropometric data and location measurements to compute meaningful clinical features such as pelvic obliquity/tilt/rotation, leg abduction/adduction, severity of spinal curvature and position of the head and centre of gravity. The research team currently includes: Professor Colin Gibson (Head of REU), Dr Paul Rogers (Principal Clinical Engineer, REU), Dr Adam Partlow (Trainee Clinical Scientist, REU), Dr Janusz Kulon (Reader, School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, USW) and Mr Michael Voysey (PhD student, USW). The program of work will involve both theoretical and experimental work. It will be undertaken over a period of 36 months. REU and USW have already devoted substantial resources to this avenue of research and will continue to contribute by making available clinical facilities and laboratories. Most of the equipment for the project is already in house.
This multidisciplinary project will provide a student with excellent research training experience in an extensive range of skills including training in design and fabrication of the seating systems, medical data analysis and computer programming. The successful candidate will be offered an honorary NHS contract.
Studentship:
The studentship will cover the fees for a 3 year full time PhD programme and pay a stipend of circa £14k p.a. There is also around £3.5k project support costs available for consumables, travel/conference attendance, minor equipment, training (including the KESS Grad School) and conference attendance.
The position is available from 1 October 2016.
Eligiblity of Student:
To be eligible to hold a KESS studentship, you must:
*The Convergence area covers West Wales and the Valleys, and is made up of the following 15 local authorities: Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen (see map attached).
Qualifications and experience:
Eligible applicants will have:
Application Process:
To request an application package or questions on eligibility please e mail kess@southwales.ac.uk or contact Clare Naylor, Kess Project Manager/Alison Evans, KESS Programme Administrator 01443 482578.
For informal enquiries or further programme information, please contact: Dr Janusz Kulon j.kulon@southwales.ac.uk .
Closing date for applications: Wednesday 8th June 2016 (Interviews will be on Friday 17th June 2016)
Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS) is a pan-Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.
Dr Janusz Kulon
BEng, MEng, PhD, FHEA
Reader
Department of Computing & Mathematical Sciences
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
University of South Wales
CF37 1DL, UK
email: j.kulon@southwales.ac.uk
web: http://staff.glam.ac.uk/users/1032-jkulon
Tel. +44 (0) 1443 654136
The project is funded by the Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship (KESS) programme and will be based in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science at the University of South Wales. KESS is a programme funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) awarded by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) in the Welsh Government. The project is co-sponsored by the Rehabilitation Engineering Unit (REU), which is currently part of the Artificial Limb and Appliance Service (ALAS) of Cardiff & Vale University Health Board (UHB). This project provides an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to apply their knowledge of computer science/engineering to research and develop new techniques aimed at helping clinicians to combine the body shape data with the precise identification and localisation of anatomical landmarks for postural assessment.
Programme of research:
The main aim of this project is to investigate the feasibility of automatic measurement and recording of anatomical landmarks representing the skeletal configuration of clients of clinical services such as the Posture and Mobility Service provided by the REU. The project will be conducted as part of the long standing, 10 year, collaboration between University of South Wales (USW) and REU. The research group is seeking an enthusiastic candidate to contribute to the design, development and evaluation of the software and hardware that will be used to undertake clinical and functional assessments of clients with complex postural needs. A novel system for accurate anatomical landmarks localisation will employ a reference frame of four ultrasound sources as transmitters and miniature microphones as receivers that are embedded in the glove worn by a clinician. A central processing unit, from the known positions of the transmitters and the time of flight of the ultrasound signals until they reach the microphones, will compute the positions of the microphones, identifying and discarding possible false signals due to echoes and environmental noise. Further investigation will involve combining the anthropometric data and location measurements to compute meaningful clinical features such as pelvic obliquity/tilt/rotation, leg abduction/adduction, severity of spinal curvature and position of the head and centre of gravity. The research team currently includes: Professor Colin Gibson (Head of REU), Dr Paul Rogers (Principal Clinical Engineer, REU), Dr Adam Partlow (Trainee Clinical Scientist, REU), Dr Janusz Kulon (Reader, School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, USW) and Mr Michael Voysey (PhD student, USW). The program of work will involve both theoretical and experimental work. It will be undertaken over a period of 36 months. REU and USW have already devoted substantial resources to this avenue of research and will continue to contribute by making available clinical facilities and laboratories. Most of the equipment for the project is already in house.
This multidisciplinary project will provide a student with excellent research training experience in an extensive range of skills including training in design and fabrication of the seating systems, medical data analysis and computer programming. The successful candidate will be offered an honorary NHS contract.
Studentship:
The studentship will cover the fees for a 3 year full time PhD programme and pay a stipend of circa £14k p.a. There is also around £3.5k project support costs available for consumables, travel/conference attendance, minor equipment, training (including the KESS Grad School) and conference attendance.
The position is available from 1 October 2016.
Eligiblity of Student:
To be eligible to hold a KESS studentship, you must:
- have a home address in the Convergence area (details below) * at the time of registration.
- have the right to take up paid work in the Convergence area* on completion of the scholarship.
- be classified by the University as ‘home’ or ‘EU’ for tuition fees purposes according to the University’s guidelines.
- satisfy University of South Wales’s admissions criteria: see below
*The Convergence area covers West Wales and the Valleys, and is made up of the following 15 local authorities: Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen (see map attached).
Qualifications and experience:
Eligible applicants will have:
- A good first degree (2i or higher) in engineering, physics, computer science or a related discipline.
- Positive attitude to practical and applied research, must be able to work in a self-directed manner and have the inter-personal skills to interface with the larger research team
- Good computer programming skills
- Ability to tolerate uncertainty
- Willingness to travel and work in clinical settings
Application Process:
To request an application package or questions on eligibility please e mail kess@southwales.ac.uk or contact Clare Naylor, Kess Project Manager/Alison Evans, KESS Programme Administrator 01443 482578.
For informal enquiries or further programme information, please contact: Dr Janusz Kulon j.kulon@southwales.ac.uk .
Closing date for applications: Wednesday 8th June 2016 (Interviews will be on Friday 17th June 2016)
Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS) is a pan-Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.
Dr Janusz Kulon
BEng, MEng, PhD, FHEA
Reader
Department of Computing & Mathematical Sciences
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
University of South Wales
CF37 1DL, UK
email: j.kulon@southwales.ac.uk
web: http://staff.glam.ac.uk/users/1032-jkulon
Tel. +44 (0) 1443 654136