Foot measuring device

Abstract

The pressure sensor can directly contact the foot, which can easily cause pain. [Solution] When the subtalar joint, navicular bone, and medial cuneiform bone area move, the membrane 37 is pushed inward into the main body 35, and the air inside the main body 35 moves to the relief section 34 via the hose 32. The air flow rate at this time is acquired by the flow sensor 33. The output signal of the flow sensor 33 is transmitted from the sensor board 4 to the computer 5. The pronation measurement unit 3 acquires from the output signal of the flow sensor 33 where and to what extent pronation movement is occurring. The judgment unit 52 calculates and outputs the pronation movement and the COP of the foot based on these measurement results. The measurement results are generated in real time. The subject refers to these measurement results and performs correction through effort walking.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a foot measuring device for measuring the pronation movement of the midfoot for the prevention of hallux valgus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique as described in Patent Document 1 has been known. This invention relates to a method for adjusting the pronation movement of shoes, measures parameters related to the pronation movement, transmits the measured information to a control unit, and the control unit prompts the actuator to activate and changes the characteristics of the shoes in order to adjust the pronation movement.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since it is configured to directly provide a pressure sensor inside the shoe, there is a problem that it is difficult to accurately measure the movement of the foot. In addition, there is a problem that pain is likely to occur in the foot because the pressure sensor directly hits the foot. This invention has been made to solve such problems. [[ID=^36]]

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The foot measuring device according to the present invention includes a concave main body having an opening, a membrane body provided at the opening of the main body, a tube portion having one end connected to the main body and through which internal gas flows, a relief portion provided at the other end of the tube portion, a flow rate sensor provided in the tube portion, and a processing unit that processes the output signal of the flow rate sensor, and has a pronation measurement means.

[0006] Furthermore, a COP measurement means may be provided, comprising pressure sensors positioned in the front, center, and rear of the sole, and a processing unit that processes the output signals from the pressure sensors.

[0007] Furthermore, the pressure sensor has a double-layered structure in which a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor with different measurement ranges are stacked. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing a measuring device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram showing the measuring device. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the foot sole measurement unit. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a stacked pressure sensor. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the pronation measurement section. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram regarding the use of the measuring device. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing examples of measurement results from the sole measurement section and the pronation measurement section. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the pronation measurement section of the measuring device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing the inversion measurement section of a measuring device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a measuring device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This measuring device 100 consists of a sole measuring unit 1 consisting of a plurality of pressure sensors 2 to be placed on the sole surface inside a shoe K, a pronation measuring unit 3 to measure pronation movement, a sensor board 4 that performs signal processing connected to the sensors of the sole measuring unit 1 and the pronation measuring unit 3, a computer 5 connected to the sensor board 4 by wireless or wired connection, predetermined software 6 installed on the computer 5, and a display unit 7 that displays predetermined information. Figure (b) shows the position of the pressure sensors 2 of the sole measuring unit 1. Figure (c) shows the positional relationship of the pronation measuring unit 3 with respect to the foot L. Also, as shown in Figure (d), pronation movement is the movement of the foot L rotating inward, and the measuring device 100 according to the present invention measures this pronation movement.

[0010] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing the measuring device. The measuring device 100 consists of a data acquisition unit 51 that acquires output signals from the sensors of the sole measurement unit 1 and the pronation measurement unit 3, a judgment unit 52 that acquires and judges the load and deformation on the sole and side of the foot from the data acquired by the data acquisition unit 51, and a display unit 7 that displays the judgment result of the judgment unit 52. Each of these units consists of the computer 5, the sensor board 4, and predetermined software 6.

[0011] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the foot sole measurement unit. The foot sole measurement unit 1 consists of five pressure sensors 2 arranged on the sole of the shoe as shown in the figure. The pressure sensors 2 are located on the upper surface of the sole portion 21. Two pressure sensors 2 are located on each side at the front, two on each side near the center in the anterior-posterior direction, and one at the rear. The two on each side at the front are located at the ball of the big toe and the ball of the little toe. The ball of the big toe is the bulge at the base of the big toe on the sole of the foot. The ball of the little toe is the fleshy area near the base of the fifth toe (little toe). The two on each side near the center in the anterior-posterior direction are located at the medial and lateral sides of the midfoot. The one at the rear is located at the heel. This arrangement allows for the acquisition of the center of pressure (COP). Note that the sensors could be located at any of the following locations: ball of the big toe, ball of the little toe, medial midfoot, lateral midfoot, or heel. In that case, the measurement accuracy will be lower, but the device configuration will be simpler.

[0012] The pressure sensor 2 has a double structure in which a first pressure sensor 2a and a second pressure sensor 2b with different measurement ranges are stacked to extend the measurement range. An example of a stacked pressure sensor is shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4(a), the structure consists of pressure sensors 2a and 2b with different measurement ranges stacked vertically, with the first pressure sensor 2a being suitable for measuring pressures up to 10N, for example. The output characteristics of the first pressure sensor 2a are shown in Figure 4(b). The second pressure sensor 2b is suitable for measuring pressures of 10N or more. The output characteristics of the second pressure sensor 2b are shown in Figure 4(c). The sensor board 4 is provided with an output combining unit 2c that combines the output signals of the first pressure sensor 2a and the second pressure sensor 2b. By combining the outputs, small pressure changes and large pressure changes can be measured simultaneously.

[0013] Furthermore, although not shown in the diagram, a second pressure sensor having a range that overlaps with the measurement range of the first pressure sensor may be stacked, allowing for detailed measurement of only a specific range (the second pressure sensor). In this case, by stacking a second pressure sensor, which can measure the pressure range at which pronation occurs in detail, on top of a first pressure sensor that can measure the entire walking phase, it becomes possible to analyze the behavior of pronation during the walking phase in detail.

[0014] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the pronation measurement unit. The pronation measurement unit 3 consists of an air-filled airbag 31, a hose 32 which is a pipe connected to the airbag 31, a flow sensor 33 provided near the tip of the hose 32, and a relief section 34 provided at the tip of the hose 32. The airbag 31 has a structure in which a membrane 37 is provided at the opening 36 of a bowl-shaped or other concave shell (body) 35.

[0015] The main body 35 is preferably made of a lightweight resin material that does not elastically deform. If the film 37 has too high elasticity, the internal air during deformation will not flow to the hose 32 side, and if it is too low, it will be difficult to deform according to the foot. A silicone resin or rubber film 37 with a thickness of about 1 mm to 3 mm is preferable. The hose 32 extends from a part of the main body 35 and is connected to the relief part 34 that stores air. The relief part 34 is a small bag made of highly elastic rubber or silicone. A flow sensor 33 is provided on the hose 32.

[0016] When the film 37 of the airbag is pushed by the foot and deformed inward, the internal air reaches the relief part 34 through the hose 32. The flow sensor 33 measures the air flow at that time. The pronation measurement part 3 is arranged so that the film 37 hits near the subtalar joint, navicular bone, and medial cuneiform bone of the foot. The main body 35 is fixed inside a footwear such as a shoe (it can also be a sock or an insole with a side part), and the main body 35 is positioned at a predetermined position when the shoe is worn. The flow rate change in a normal pronation movement state is measured in advance while the main body 35 is fixed with the shoe and stored in the determination part 52. This reference data serves as a reference at the time of determination.

[0017] The flow sensor 33 and the relief part 34 are housed in the housing 38 together with the sensor board 4 and attached to the side surface of the shoe K.

[0018] The usage method of this measuring device 100 will be described. As shown in Fig. 6(a), the sole part 21 of the sole measurement part 1 is installed on the surface of the sole of an arbitrary shoe K. Each pressure sensor 2 constituting the sole measurement part 1 is located at the ball of the big toe, the ball of the little toe, the inner side of the midfoot, the outer side of the midfoot, and the heel so as to measure the pressure at the above-mentioned positions of the foot L. The sensor board 4 is arranged inside the housing 38 and installed at an arbitrary position outside the shoe K. In the example of this figure, it is attached to the side surface (see Fig. 6(b)). Also, as shown in Fig. 6(a), the pronation measurement part 3 is installed inside the side surface of the shoe K. The main body 35 of the pronation measurement part 3 is installed so as to hit the inner wall of the shoe K and the film 37 is installed so as to hit near the ankle.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor board 4 is connected to the computer 5 by wireless communication. In this state, the subject wears the shoes K and starts walking. The walking is assumed to be of two types: natural walking and forced walking (fast walking). During walking, the pressure sensors 2 of the sole measurement unit 1 continuously detect the pressure at each position on the sole. The output signal of the pressure sensor 2 is transmitted from the sensor board 4 to the computer 5. Also, since pronation occurs during movements such as jumping, the output signal of the pressure sensor 2 when these movements are performed may be acquired.

[0020] Also, the pronation measurement unit 3 measures the pronation movement. When the subtalar joint, the navicular bone, and the area near the medial cuneiform bone move, the membrane 37 is pushed into the inside of the main body 35 and the air inside the main body 35 moves to the escape portion 34 via the hose 32. Since only the membrane 37 is deformed, no burden is imposed on the foot. The flow rate of the air at this time is acquired by the flow rate sensor 33. The output signal of the flow rate sensor 33 is transmitted from the sensor board 4 to the computer 5. An example of the measurement results by the sole measurement unit 1 and the pronation measurement unit 3 is shown in FIG. 7. In the figure, when focusing on the right foot, the sole measurement unit 1 acquires, with the pressure sensor 2, the right foot touching the ground from the heel, and as the load moves forward, the output signals of the other pressure sensors 2 are output, and immediately before lift-off, a signal is output from the front pressure sensor 2. Also, the pronation measurement unit 3 acquires from the output signal of the flow rate sensor 33 how much and in the vicinity of which gait phase the pronation movement is occurring. In the example of the figure, it can be seen that a pronation movement is occurring when the heel touches the ground. The determination unit 52 calculates and outputs the pronation movement and the COP of the foot based on this measurement result. By measuring the pronation movement by the deformation of the membrane 37, variations due to the arrangement of pressure sensors and the like are eliminated, and uniform measurement becomes possible.

[0021] The measurement results are generated in real time. The subject refers to this measurement result and performs correction by a predetermined method. Also, the contribution degree to the musculoskeletal system of the sole that contributes to midfoot pronation can be determined from the pressure value acquired from the pressure sensor. Furthermore, since the change in pronation can be evaluated at the timing when the heel of the gait phase is lifted, the stability of walking and the risk of falling can be evaluated.

[0022] (Embodiment 2) Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the pronation measurement section of the measuring device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. This pronation measurement section 203 has substantially the same configuration as the pronation measurement section 3 according to Embodiment 1 above, but differs in that a pressure sensor 202 is provided inside the main body 35. The pressure sensor 202 has a diaphragm in the pressure receiving section, and a strain gauge is provided on this diaphragm. The pressure sensor 202 is connected to the sensor board 4.

[0023] The main unit 35 houses a housing for a pressure sensor 202, and a hole for air circulation is provided in part of the housing (not shown). When the membrane 37 is pushed inward by the movement of the foot, the air pressure inside increases. The pressure sensor 202 measures this pressure change, and the computer 5 determines the foot movement according to the pressure change. A reference pressure change is stored in advance in the judgment unit 52. The signal acquired by the pressure sensor 202 is compared with this reference data to make a judgment about the subject's pronation movement.

[0024] (Embodiment 3) Figure 9 is a configuration diagram showing the pronation measurement unit of a measuring device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. This pronation measurement unit 303 has a structure in which a laser sensor 302 is built into the main body 35. The laser sensor 302 acquires the deformation of the film 37 by measuring the distance from its mounting position in the main body 35 to the surface of the film 37. The number of laser sensors 302 is arbitrary, and the more there are, the more accurate the measurement can be. The laser sensor 302 is connected to a sensor board 4. The sensor board 4 sends the output signal of the laser sensor 302 to the computer 5. The pronation measurement unit 303 of the judgment unit 52 detects the change in the film 37 from the output signal of the laser sensor 302.

[0025] The judgment unit 52 determines pronation movement based on the output signal of the laser sensor 302. When the subtalar joint, scaphoid bone, and medial cuneiform bone move, the membrane 37 is pushed inward towards the main body 35. Since the laser sensor 302 constantly measures the distance to the membrane 37, it detects changes in this distance and uses this to acquire the state of pronation movement. The judgment unit 52 continuously acquires the state of pronation movement from the distance data and determines the subject's pronation movement from the final data obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 100 Measuring devices 1. Foot sole measurement area 2. Pressure sensor 3 internal measurement section 4 Sensor board 5 Computers 6 Software 7 Display section 51 Data Acquisition Unit 52 Judgment Department

Claims

1. A concave body having an opening, A membrane provided at the opening of the main body, The main body has a pipe section through which gas flows, with one end connected to the main body, A relief section provided at the other end of the pipe section, A flow sensor is provided in the aforementioned pipe section, A processing unit that processes the output signal of the flow sensor and A foot measuring device having a pronation measurement means consisting of the following.

2. Pressure sensors are positioned at the front, center, and rear of the sole, A processing unit that processes the output signal of the pressure sensor, The foot measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a COP measuring means comprising the above.

3. The foot measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that the pressure sensor has a double structure in which a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor with different measurement ranges are stacked.

Images