Shoe-integrated sensor system for wireless gait analysis and real-time feedback

Abstract

-We are developing a sensor system for use in clinical gait analysis. This research involves the development of an on-shoe device that can be used for continuous and real -time monitoring of gait. This paper presents the design of an instrumente d insole and a removable instrumented shoe attachment. Transmission of the data is in real -time and wireless, providing information about the three-dimensional motion, position, and pressure distribution of the foot. Using pattern recognition and numerical analysis of the calibrated sensor outputs, algorithms will be developed to analyze the data in real -time. Results will be validated by comparison to results from a commerical optical gait analysis system at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Biomoti on Lab.

MEMS Biomedical Sensor for Gait Analysis

“…Examples of sensor integrated shoes are shown in Fig. 2 which include GaitShoe (Morris, 2004;Bamberg et al, 2008), Smartshoe (Kong & Tomizuka, 2008) and another instrumented (Liedtke et al, 2007). There are also other related works (Abu-Faraj et al, 1997;Tanwar, Nguyen & Stergiou, 2007).…”

“…Therefore, a very careful and detail analysis of the specific application requirement must be thoroughly considered before any measurement is performed. Any devices that are to be used in gait analysis must fulfill the requirements such as those explained in detail in Urry,1999;Morris, 2004;Bamberg et al,2008). The required key specifications for a pressure sensor in terms of sensor performance include linearity (linear), hysteresis (low), operating frequency (at least 200 Hz), creep and repeatability (no creep or deformation over repetitive or high cyclic loads), temperature sensitivity (20 o C to 37 o C), sensing size, pressure range (every 31.2 mm 2 foot plantar area is close to 2.3 MPa), sensing area of the sensor and its placement (micro sized sensors as a dense array sensor).…”

“…In fact, this view is supported by another report too (Sarah, Carol & Sharon, 1999). (Morris, 2004;Bamberg et al,2008), (Middle) The instrumented shoe for Ground Reaction Forces determination (Liedtke et al, 2007) and (Right) SmartShoe (Kong & Tomizuka, 2008). (Chesnin, Selby-Silverstein & Besser, 2000), (Middle Right) the instrumented shoe sole (Faivre et al, 2004) and (Far Right) the SmartShoe sole (Kong & Tomizuka, 2008).…”

A Comparative Review of Footwear-Based Wearable Systems

“…The information derived from plantar pressure measurement can also assist in identification and treatments of the impairments associated with various musculoskeletal and neurological disorders [29]. Hence, plantar pressure measurement is important in the area of biomedical research for gait and posture analysis [11,30,31], sport biomechanics [32,33], footwear and shoe insert design [34], and improving balance in the elderly [35], among other applications.…”

“…This is because plantar pressure measurement applications demand the estimation of the absolute pressure that is exerted at different locations of the foot; while in activity and gait monitoring applications [7,30], it is more important to capture the relative changes in the pressure levels than the actual pressure values as previously discussed. F-scan ® [29] can be used for the pressure ranges of 345 to 825 kPa, while Pedar ® from Novel, gmbh (Munich, Germany) [31] can be used in the range of 15-600 kPa or 30-1200 kPa.…”