EquinosisQ with Lameness Locator (USA)
About: The Equinosis® Q with Lameness Locator® is a real-time, handheld, field-based system that enables a licensed veterinarian to objectively measure lameness in horses with non-invasive inertial sensors. Evolving from the development of motion analysis algorithms at the University of Missouri using a high-speed camera and treadmill-based system, it is the gold standard for field-based measurement of lameness. The algorithms were developed in a collaborative effort between practicing equine veterinarians, led by Professor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Dr. Kevin Keegan, and engineers, led by Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineer Dr. Frank Pai, for the specific purpose of lameness evaluation in horses. Dr. Pai’s research interest and expertise in “structural damage detection” were instrumental in the development of the algorithms used in the Q.  The motion variables most likely to detect and quantify lameness were first found using sophisticated data mining search techniques and then tested and validated with robust neural network classification schemes. Later collaboration between the University of Missouri and Dr. Yoshiharu Yanezawa, Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Hiroshima Institute of Technology in Japan adopted this analysis approach to a system of wirelessly-transmitted, body-mounted inertial sensors, ideal for field use. Dr. Yonezawa’s research interest and expertise in “Bio-instrumentation systems” were instrumental in the development of the hardware utilized in the Q.