Colour video segmentation for the quantification of sweat dynamic function

Abstract

Our main objective is design and develop a system that assesses sudomotor function with spatial and temporal resolution through digital image processing techniques. Its evaluation has become significant in the diagnosis of several nerve diseases. The current methods to evaluate post-ganglionic sudomotor function are not very successful because they are too expensive or they do not give enough information. It will be desirable to achieve useful results with a low cost approach. In order to this, it can be used a pH indicator on the skin of patient that changes colour when it comes in contact with sweat and a digital image processing algorithm to quantify it. The sudomotor function of more than 20 patients, with a wide range of profiles, has been tested. There is a high correlation between our results and those of others kinds of sweat tests. From all of this it can conclude that it is possible to implement an evaluation system for sudomotor function using digital image processing with a low cost solution.