4D4ALL

The Center for Health and Technology (CHaT) is a multidisciplinary interfaculty institute of the University of Antwerp that aims to promote innovation in healthcare by finding the best solutions to health problems through technology use and innovation. Recently, CHaT successfully installed a unique 4D4ALL lab that consists of a markerless 4D (3D plus time) body scanner. It provides a 3D human full body shape that consists of a watertight mesh with a density of 50,000 points, adding time as a 4th dimension. It includes texture with a sub-1mm accuracy at 178 3D images per second, obtaining more than 100 dynamic biometric measurements (like height and waist circumference) within one second. This offers extra opportunities, such as measuring during COVID time and a free natural movement of the test subject. Parameters such as center of mass, balance control, gait spatiotemporal parameters and movement asymmetry can be assessed in the 4D4ALL lab also as a function of meta-data (e.g., shape, age, gender). Established research results can be e redefined, such as mechanical energy estimation approaches on the center of mass and the sum of segmental energies during sports and regular physical activities such as walking and cycling. The 4D scanner provides new scientific insight into movement patterns correlated to different types of body forms and somatotype classification in terms of 4D data. Possible restrictions in the movement of body parts against each other can be assessed in the 4D4ALL lab, e.g., restriction of range of motion, gait in people with neurological conditions, amputees and obese people. Overall, the 4D4ALL lab is a solution to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the health care system increasing the effectiveness of the therapy and empowerment of the patients. This unique lab is opening new frontiers in Medicine 4.0 elevating the University of Antwerp to one of the top universities for human modeling.