Mark Etzelmueller

Research Engineer

Focused on collection of neuromuscular and biomechanical data for the assessment of kinematic data and development of open-loop biofeedback and closed-loop phase-dependant neural stimulation systems.

Education

• MSc. Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

• B.S. Electrical Engineering (Concentration in Biosystems) University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America

Research Interests

• Designing, testing, modifying, and assembling specialized test equipment and experimental design circuitry in order to aid in the acquisition of kinematic data from human test subjects in clinical and sports related environments.

• Development of kinematic algorithms for processing data from IMUs, force platforms, and other motion capture devices to be used in the assessment of subjects in clinical settings and to improve sports training and injury prevention.

• The representation of this joint kinematic data in the form of visual and audio feedback to test subjects through the use of modelling and three-dimensional animations.

Experience

Joint Kinematic Analysis for Closed Loop Stimulation Feedback

• Developed a system for the real-time processing of accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer data acquired from Delsys Trigno Avanti IMU sensors for calculating joint kinematic data through the use of a Kalman filter. Subsequently employed in a closed loop control framework for experiments involving transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation.

• Modelled a 3-D representation using OpenSim modelling in a MATLAB Simulink environment of test subjects using estimated joint kinematics in order to provide real-time visual feedback to users.

• Developed a system for the identification and processing of spinal stimulation reflex responses to targeted stimulation to be factored into a closed loop control framework for experiments with external spinal stimulation.

• Designed specialized cervicothoracic spinal cord stimulation treatment programs to examine the extent to which discrete upper and lower limb motor pools can be selectively engaged through the alteration of stimulation intensity and location.

• Developed a Bluetooth interface using MATLAB for the purpose of delivering specialized stimulation treatment programs to subjects with spinal cord injuries through a Bluetooth stimulation controller.

• Developed FSR based system for monitoring centre of pressure positioning of subjects for use in closed loop control framework for experiments with transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation.

Multiple Sclerosis Studies

• Assessed a clinical cohort of Multiple Sclerosis subjects for postural instability through the analysis of classical sway parameters and multiscale entropy derived complexity index.

Organizational/Miscellaneous Skills

• Experienced with preparing for, scheduling, and conducting human subject testing sessions in both a clinical and laboratory setting, during which data are collected with motion capture, surface EMG, force platform, FSR, and IMU systems, as well as data analysis.

• Understanding of applicable technical testing standards and specifications and maintenance of lab areas and testing equipment, including hardware and software troubleshooting involving a wide range of systems such as Delsys, Xsens, LabChart, MATLAB, EMG Works, OpenSim, Biosignals, Python, and Eagle PCB.

• Project management experience including weekly correspondence with international engineering companies to facilitate project cooperation, including schedule management and task assignments relating to collaborative projects.

• Experienced with documenting test results for data collection and test reports within an organized group framework.

• Assisted in the submission of quarterly reports detailing progress updates for continuation of grant funding.

• Author or Co-Author on publications listed below to the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Neurology, and Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, as well as reviewing submission to the Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine.

Publications

• Fleming, N, Taylor, C, Etzelmueller, M, Gill, C, O’Keeffe, C, Mahony, N, Reilly, R.B., 2022, July. Selectivity of Upper Limb Posterior Root Muscle Reflexes via Cervicothoracic Spinal Cord Stimulation. In 2022 44th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC)

• Gill, C, O’Keeffe, C, Etzelmueller, M, Taylor, C, Hablani, S, Fleming, N, Reilly, R.B. 2022, July. Effect of Initial Knee angle and Arm Facilitation of biomechanics of the Sit-to-Stand movement. In 2022 44th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC)

• Etzelmueller, M.S., Yap, S.M., O’Keeffe, C., Gaughan, M., McGuigan, C. and Reilly, R.B., 2020, July. Multiscale entropy derived complexity index analysis demonstrates significant mediolateral sway in persons with multiple sclerosis compared to healthy controls. In 2020 42nd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC) (pp. 5176-5179). IEEE.

  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33019151/

• Yap, S. M., Etzelmueller, M.S., O'Keeffe, C., Gaughan, M., Kearney, H., Tubridy, N., Reilly, R.B. and McGuigan, C., 2021. Postural stability is a valid and meaningful disability metric in progressive MS with potential for use in neuroprotective therapy trials. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 52, p.102946.

  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33901968/

• Yap, S.M., Etzelmueller, M.S., O’Keeffe, C., Gaughan, M., Kearney, H., Tubridy, N., Reilly, R.B. and McGuigan, C., 2021. Postural facilitation can occur during dual-task performance in people with progressive multiple sclerosis and is related to upper extremity function.(2539).

  https://n.neurology.org/content/96/15_Supplement/2539.abstract

• Yap, S.M., Etzelmueller, M.S., O’Keeffe, C., Gaughan, M., Kearney, H., Tubridy, N., Reilly, R.B. and McGuigan, C., 2021. Static posturography measures enhance the clinical validity of the multiple sclerosis functional composite as a disability marker for progressive multiple sclerosis.(1505).

  https://n.neurology.org/content/96/15_Supplement/1505.abstract

Fellowships

• Recipient of the 2019 Naughton Fellowship from the University of Notre Dame to pursue post-graduate education at Trinity College Dublin
  
  
  
  

Joint Angle Visualizer for Xsens and Delsys systems using OpenSim and MATLAB Simulink

Comparison of Knee Angle calculated using Kalman Filter fusion of Delsys Data compared to gold standard goniometer and Xsens data