Shoe-Mounted Gait Aid with Pressure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gait training aids, such as crutches with laser sources, are inconvenient and ineffective when not carried, and fail to detect mid stance and freezing-of-gait phases accurately.
Innovation Solution
A gait aid system integrated into shoes, featuring pressure-sensitive detecting modules, control circuits, and projecting modules that emit cueing marks based on pressure data to assist in gait training by detecting mid stance and freezing-of-gait phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a crutch with laser source is used for gait training, then gait training can be conducted, but the device is inconvenient to use and cannot be used when forgotten
Solution Approach 1:
The gait training system is merged with the shoe itself, integrating the detecting module, control circuit, and projecting module directly into the footwear. This eliminates the need for separate crutches or external equipment, making the device always available and convenient to use without requiring additional carrying or setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The shoe-mounted system automatically detects gait parameters through pressure sensors and provides real-time feedback through projected marks without requiring user intervention or external equipment. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring and adjusting based on detected gait phase, ensuring reliable operation throughout the walking process.
2Measurement precision
If conventional crutches are used, then gait training is possible, but they fail to detect mid stance and freezing-of-gait phases accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems with electronic pressure-sensitive detecting modules that use electrical signals to sense gait phase. This substitution enables precise detection of mid stance and freezing-of-gait phases through electrical resistance changes in the pressure-sensitive module, achieving high measurement precision with simpler electronic components rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.
3Loss of information
If laser projection is used continuously, then gait training feedback is available, but energy is wasted when not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The projecting module operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only during specific gait phases such as mid stance or freezing-of-gait detection. The control circuit regulates the projection based on detected gait phase, providing feedback information only when needed for training purposes. This periodic operation maintains effective gait feedback while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous projection.
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 effective gait training without additional equipment, accurately detects mid stance and freezing-of-gait phases, and projects cueing marks to guide the user, improving walking stability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a detecting module (2), a control circuit (4) and a projecting module (3). The detecting module (2) generates a sense output based on pressure exerted on a sole of the shoe (1)
Implementation Method 2
The projecting module (3) is electrically coupled to the control circuit (4) for receiving the control signal therefrom, and is operable, based on the control signal, to project or not to project a cueing mark
Data Source
AI summary
A gait aid is to be disposed on a shoe, and includes a detecting module, a control circuit and a projecting module. The detecting module generates a sense output based on pressure exerted on a sole of the shoe. The control circuit generates a control signal based at least on the sense output generated by the detecting module. The projecting module is electrically coupled to the control circuit for receiving the control signal therefrom, and is operable, based on the control signal, to project or not to project a cueing mark.