Cueing Device Algorithm for Gait Irregularity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cueing devices for assisting individuals with gait irregularities, such as those with Parkinson's disease, often produce unnecessary cues, leading to habituation and reduced effectiveness in overcoming gait irregularities.
Innovation Solution
A cueing device with a control unit programmed by multiple algorithms to determine gait irregularities, where a cue is only produced if multiple algorithms positively indicate a gait irregularity, thereby minimizing unnecessary cueing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single algorithm is used to determine gait irregularities, then the device responds quickly to potential gait issues, but unnecessary cues are produced leading to habituation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple algorithms that analyze motion data from different perspectives and cross-validate their findings. Each algorithm provides feedback on gait irregularity detection, and the combination of multiple algorithmic opinions reduces false positives while maintaining timely response to actual gait issues.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single algorithm that might be too sensitive, the system employs multiple algorithms that each perform partial analysis. The cue is only generated when multiple algorithms agree, which reduces unnecessary cues while still capturing genuine gait irregularities through the combined analytical effort.
2Reliability
If multiple algorithms are used to confirm gait irregularities, then unnecessary cue production is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gait analysis function is segmented into multiple independent algorithms, each responsible for specific aspects of gait irregularity detection. This segmentation allows the system to distribute the analytical workload across specialized algorithms rather than requiring one complex monolithic algorithm, making the overall system more manageable and maintainable.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple independent algorithms are merged into a unified decision-making framework where their outputs are combined to determine whether a cue should be generated. This merging approach leverages the strengths of each individual algorithm while filtering out false positives through cross-validation, achieving high reliability without requiring any single algorithm to be overly complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A cueing device is provided for producing a cue in assisting a user during a motion. The cueing device comprises a control unit operatively connected with a motion sensor and a cueing unit. The control unit is programmed with multiple algorithms which process the motion data from the motion sensor and providing multiple outcomes in determining a gait irregularity during the motion. A cue is only produced in case outcomes of at least two algorithms positively indicate for a gait irregularity. Cue production should be minimised to situations in which a cue is really necessary and desired by the user. Different situations and personal specifics can be better distinguished by using the at least two outcomes of the at least two gait irregularity algorithms. Unnecessary cue production can be reduced which prevents habituation and increases the effectiveness of the cueing device.