Sensor-Integrated Footwear for Out-of-Lab Gait Intervention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for providing interventions based on gait kinematics are often limited to laboratory settings and lack the ability to provide unbiased, quantitative, and reproducible analysis of a subject's gait outside a clinical environment.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising footwear with integrated sensors, a data processor, and a wireless communication unit that generates and processes gait parameter data to provide interventions such as sensory stimulation, allowing analysis and intervention outside a laboratory setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gait analysis is performed in a motion analysis laboratory, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to the specialized laboratory setting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gait analysis functionality from the specialized laboratory environment and embeds sensors directly into footwear that can be worn in natural settings. This allows gait parameter measurement to occur outside the laboratory while maintaining measurement precision through integrated sensors that capture foot movement data during everyday activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces footwear as an intermediary carrier that houses sensors, data processors, and communication units. This intermediary device bridges the gap between laboratory-grade measurement precision and the convenience of natural setting operation, enabling accurate gait analysis without requiring specialized laboratory infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If gait analysis is performed outside a laboratory setting, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision and reliability worsen due to uncontrolled environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal gait analysis system that functions reliably across multiple environments (laboratory and natural settings). The footwear-integrated sensors are designed to capture accurate gait data regardless of the setting, making the system universally applicable and eliminating the need for specialized laboratory conditions while maintaining measurement precision.
3Reliability
If continuous gait monitoring is implemented, then reliability of gait analysis is improved, but use of energy worsens due to continuous sensor operation and data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic data transmission and processing intervals rather than continuous operation. The data processor analyzes gait parameters at specific intervals and transmits data to the remote system periodically, maintaining reliable gait monitoring while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time transmission.
4Productivity
If real-time intervention is provided, then productivity of therapy is improved, but device complexity worsens due to additional stimulation devices and communication systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where gait data is collected by sensors, processed to identify gait events, and used to trigger appropriate interventions. The system automatically analyzes gait parameters and provides timely feedback through the remote intervention system, improving therapy productivity while managing complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing an intervention based on detected gait kinematics for therapy, training, gaming or movement assistance. The system comprises at least one item of footwear incorporating a sensor or sensors, a data processor, and a wireless communication unit, and a remote intervention system configured to provide an intervention for provoking a response by a subject wearing the item of footwear. The sensor or sensors are configured to generate sensor data associated with movement of the subject. The data processor is configured to process the sensor data to generate gait parameter data associated with the subject's gait kinematics, and the wireless communication unit is configured to communicate the gait parameter data to the remote intervention system.