Force Plate Balance Assessment via Center-of-Pressure Intersection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing balance are often imprecise and require trained professionals, making it difficult to quantify balance capabilities effectively, especially in a simple and rapid manner.
Innovation Solution
A balance assessment apparatus using a stationary rigid force-sensing platform measures center-of-pressure and angle of force to calculate an intersection point, providing a quantitative assessment of balance capabilities without expert intervention, and allowing for comparison to the individual's center-of-mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional balance assessment methods (e.g., Berg Balance Test) are used, then balance can be assessed, but the assessment requires trained professionals and is imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual clinical assessment methods with an automated force plate system that uses sensors to measure center of pressure and calculates balance parameters objectively. This substitution of mechanical/manual assessment with instrumented measurement resolves the contradiction by providing precise measurements through automated calculation of the intersection point between force vectors and the vertical axis, eliminating the need for trained professional judgment while maintaining assessment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-assessment through automated data collection and analysis. The force plate automatically captures center of pressure data, computes force vectors, determines intersection points, and generates balance assessments without requiring trained operators. This self-service capability resolves the contradiction by enabling precise measurement through automated processing rather than manual evaluation.
2Measurement precision
If traditional balance assessment methods are used, then balance can be assessed, but changes in balance are only revealed after significant loss has occurred
Solution Approach 1:
The force plate system replaces imprecise manual assessment with sensitive instrumented measurement that can detect subtle changes in center of pressure patterns. The automated calculation of intersection points and force vector analysis provides objective, quantifiable data that reveals minor balance deteriorations before they become clinically significant, resolving the contradiction by enabling early detection through precise mechanical measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous, objective feedback through quantitative intersection point measurements that reflect real-time balance status. This feedback mechanism allows for early detection of balance changes by comparing measurements over time, resolving the contradiction by enabling timely intervention before significant balance loss occurs.
3Measurement precision
If complex neural-musculoskeletal interactions are measured, then balance capability can be assessed, but simple quantitative measurement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential balance measurement from complex neural-musculoskeletal interactions by focusing specifically on the intersection point of force vectors with the vertical axis. This extraction approach resolves the contradiction by isolating the critical mechanical parameter that represents overall balance function, providing a simple quantitative measure that reflects complex underlying physiology without requiring measurement of each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms complex balance assessment into a simple quantitative parameter - the intersection point height. By changing the measurement parameter from multiple complex variables to a single derived value representing the common output of neural-musculoskeletal systems, the patent resolves the contradiction by enabling accurate quantification through parameter transformation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables a simple, rapid, and accurate assessment of balance capabilities, isolating narrowband frequency relationships to improve insight into balance control, and providing a standard for normal and abnormal balance comparison across individuals.
Implementation Method 1
at least one platform sized to receive an individual's foot applying a force against the platform
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus with one or more force plates senses of center-of-pressure and force-angle in the sagittal plane for a standing individual to provide an indication of balance capability based on the deduced functional relationship between center-of-pressure and force-angle within a limited band of frequencies. In one embodiment this relationship may be expressed as an intersection point of the force vectors with respect to the individual's center-of-mass.