System and Method for Detection of Lameness in Sport Horses and other Quadrupeds

摘要

A method of diagnosing lameness in quadrupeds utilizing computer vision and a computerized depth perception system to scan quadrupeds, such as sport horses, over time. The method enables a detailed analysis of the quadruped's movement, and changes thereof over time without the need for attaching sensors to the body of the horse, or requiring force plates or expensive high speed cameras. A processing system receives the input of this movement data and utilizes it to make a determination of severity of lameness signals of the animal. The system is inexpensive enough that non-specialists, such as non-veterinary trained quadruped owners, may install the system at an appropriate location such as a horse barn enabling identification of lameness early, to aid in objectively analyzing rehabilitation from injury, and relating changes in gait to performance changes.

主权项

1. A gait detection apparatus, comprising:
a computer vision system operable to perceive the depth of a plurality of points on a specimen quadruped; a control system being operable to at least:
receive an input from the computer vision system;generate from the input a plurality of three-dimensional representations of the specimen quadruped, wherein at least two of the plurality of three-dimensional representations correspond to a different time from each other;utilize the plurality of three-dimensional representations for the creation of a mathematical representation of a movement of the specimen quadruped;update the mathematical representation of a movement of the specimen quadruped and detect deviations in the representation of the movement over time.