Abstract

Special equipment was realized for testing of stabilization methods of samples of lower part of the spine (L1-L5). During straining and measurement of the rigidity of the sample as a whole it is also necessary to observe the movement of individual parts of the sample. This movement is non-contact followed with the help of round targets connected to the appropriate vertebra to be observed. The watched targets are lit with a lamp or laser, and are identified by two CCD cameras. An optical signal is brought into a computer and evaluated by the fast Fourier transformation method. The period and direction of interference fringes determine the size and the direction of the shift.

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