Gait Analysis System Using Suspended Accelerometers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing lameness and Neuromuscular (NM) diseases in animals and humans are inadequate, as they are either labor-intensive, subjective, or unable to accurately monitor gait parameters, leading to delayed detection and ineffective treatment.
Innovation Solution
A dual-sensor system using load cells and accelerometers to provide multidimensional measurements of gait, allowing for the diagnosis and monitoring of lameness and NM diseases, with a suspended sensor region to minimize friction interference and reduce costs by using inexpensive accelerometers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual observation methods are used for lameness diagnosis, then the diagnostic process is simple to implement, but the results are highly subjective, non-repeatable and non-quantitative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual observation system with an accelerometer-based measurement system. Accelerometers objectively quantify gait parameters such as stride length, stance time, and acceleration patterns, eliminating subjectivity while maintaining ease of use through automated data collection and analysis algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces accelerometers as an intermediary measurement tool between the animal's gait and the diagnostic assessment. These sensors capture objective kinematic data that serves as a mediator, translating complex gait patterns into quantifiable metrics for automated lameness detection.
2Measurement precision
If accelerometers are attached to each limb of every cow, then gait parameters can be measured, but the cost increases and the accelerometers are prone to breaking or removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from multiple limb-attached accelerometers and consolidates it into a single accelerometer positioned on the animal's back. This single sensor captures sufficient gait information through gravitational acceleration variations, eliminating the need for multiple attachment points and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the single back-mounted accelerometer perform multiple functions: it measures vertical, lateral, and longitudinal acceleration components, detects gait asymmetries, and provides data for multiple lameness detection algorithms, replacing what would otherwise require multiple specialized sensors.
3Measurement precision
If load cells are used in the sensor region, then accurate force measurements are obtained, but the system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical load cell system with an accelerometer-based system that infers force and weight information from acceleration measurements. By applying Newton's second law, the system calculates forces from acceleration data, eliminating the need for complex mechanical force sensors while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses acceleration measurements as an intermediary to derive force information. Rather than directly measuring forces with load cells, the system measures acceleration and uses physical laws to calculate the corresponding forces, providing an indirect but equally accurate measurement approach with reduced complexity.
4Measurement precision
If friction forces are present in the sensor region, then measurement accuracy is reduced, but eliminating friction increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the suspension mechanism to counteract friction forces by eliminating contact between the sensor region and the support structure. The suspended sensor region floats without mechanical contact, allowing free movement in response to animal passage while minimizing friction interference with acceleration measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a gait analysis apparatus that is configured to provide multidimensional measures of the gait of an individual as the individual traverses the gait analysis apparatus. The gait analysis apparatus may be configured to provide a gait measuring processing device with the multidimensional measurements. Based on the multidimensional measurements, the gait measuring process device may, for example, diagnose the test subject with lameness or particular neuromuscular dysfunctions (NM) disease and/or injury, monitor progression of lameness or a particular NM disease and/or injury over time, determine a static weight as the test subject is traversing, monitor the static weight of the test subject over an extended period time, and/or determine which measurements may be used as biomarkers to identify lameness or the particular NM disease and/or injury. A system including a gait analysis apparatus is also disclosed.