System and methods for measuring propulsive force during ambulation and providing real-time feedback

Abstract

The invention measures propulsive force of an ambulating subject to provide real-time feedback, which may be used for clinical assessment or rehabilitation / training such as that related to walking ability, or any other form of ambulation. Subjects with propulsive deficits have a considerable and underutilized propulsive reserve available during level ambulation. The invention uses real-time propulsive feedback as a therapeutic strategy to encourage a subject to access the propulsive reserve and improve forward propulsion during ambulation.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 61 / 820,743 filed May 8, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates generally to measuring and using propulsive forces in rehabilitation or gait training. More specifically, the invention comprises a system and methods that provide real-time output, or feedback, of the propulsive force resultant from an ambulating subject. The feedback may be used for clinical assessment and / or rehabilitation such as that related to ambulation.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Reduced propulsive function during the push-off phase when ambulating plays a central role in the deterioration of ambulation ability. For example, an injured person may have difficulty walking at the same speed as before the injury. Specifically, a patient may have difficulty walking after stroke, amputation, or joint replacement. A disabled perso...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a system that helps people walk better by measuring the forces and muscle activity during walking. The system includes a treadmill and a computer that analyzes the data collected from sensors on the treadmill and muscles. The computer then sends feedback to the person to adjust their walking style, such as by taking slower, longer steps or using more of their propulsive reserves. This can make it easier for people to walk more confidently and comfortably with less oxygen consumption. The technical effects of this patent are to improve the quality of locomotion by providing real-time feedback on the ground reaction force data and muscle activity data during walking.

Problems solved by technology

Specifically, a patient may have difficulty walking after stroke, amputation, or joint replacement.

Also, an elderly person may walk at a slow speed due to age or fatigue.

Furthermore, all of these subjects may have even greater difficulty walking or running uphill.

For example, among older adults, compromised walking ability is ultimately predictive of health problems and reduced survival.

Eventually, the propulsive deficits of old adults may lead to slower walking speeds on the level, inability to walk uphill, and an associated loss of independence in the community.

While these programs improve muscle strength and mitigate sarcopenia, strengthening alone generally fails to improve the walking ability of old adults.

Furthermore, some metrics of propulsion such as ankle power generation, require complex calculations that are impractical to implement using real-time feedback.

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