Wearable Somatosensation Device for Neuropathy Sensory Substitution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with peripheral neuropathy, particularly those affected by diabetes, often experience loss of feeling in their feet, leading to poor ambulation and increased risk of trips and falls, as they cannot gauge force or pressure, necessitating a wearable device that can substitute lost sensory feedback.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device featuring an insole assembly with bladders in fluid communication, configured to redistribute force from high-pressure areas of the foot to areas with sensation, such as nerves on the leg, using a passive fluid actuation system and supplemented by an electrical system for visual cues, allowing users to sense foot pressure through tactile and visual feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wearable device is designed to substitute lost sensory feedback by pressing on nerves, then the user's ability to perceive foot pressure is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fluid coupling system where a first bladder in the insole and a second bladder contacting the leg are connected via fluid communication. When the first bladder is compressed by foot pressure, fluid is displaced to the second bladder, which then presses on the peroneal nerve to generate sensory feedback. This pneumatic-hydraulic mechanism enables complex sensory substitution functionality while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
2Speed
If an active actuation system is used to provide force feedback, then the responsiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the user's own foot pressure as the actuation force. When the user steps or applies pressure to the foot, this force is directly transmitted through the fluid coupling mechanism to generate the feedback force on the leg. The system serves itself by converting the user's natural ambulatory forces into therapeutic feedback, eliminating the need for external power sources or active actuators.
3Ease of operation
If force is redistributed from high-pressure areas to areas with sensation, then the ambulation ability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid coupling system acts as an intermediary mechanism that transfers force from the foot (where pressure is applied) to the leg (where sensation is preserved). The fluid-coupled bladders serve as the mediating element that redistributes force without requiring complex mechanical linkages, electronic controls, or multiple discrete components. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall force redistribution system while achieving the therapeutic goal.
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
The device effectively enhances the user's ability to perceive foot pressure and improve walking by providing tactile and visual feedback, even in areas without natural sensation, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and improving quality of life.
Implementation Method 1
the force actuation system configured to displace a fluid from the first bladder to the second bladder in response to displacement of the first bladder
Data Source
AI summary
A device can comprise a force actuation system at least partially disposed in a shoe assembly. The force actuation system can be a passive or active actuation system. The force actuation system can be configured to determine the foot pressure during use of the device. The device can further comprise a force indication system including a plurality of force sensors and a light array, each force sensor disposed in an insole assembly and the light array mounted to the person.