Postural Stability Assessment Using Center of Mass and Pressure Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for assessing human postural stability are either subjective and practitioner-dependent or rely on costly, time-consuming methods that measure full body dynamics, failing to identify the causes of instability and establish a relationship between center of pressure and body position, especially when the person is moving due to stability issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that assesses human postural stability by simultaneously measuring and analyzing the relative evolution of at least two parameters, such as the relative position of the feet (Base of Support) and the whole human center of mass, or the relative position of the center of mass with respect to the Center of Pressure, using a combination of sensors and a visual pattern reference module to calculate a Stability Index (SI) value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional clinical assessment scales are used to evaluate postural balance, then the evaluation criteria are clinically relevant, but the assessment becomes subjective and practitioner-dependent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective clinical assessment with an automated electronic system that uses sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) to objectively measure postural parameters. The mechanical/sensory system converts physical balance parameters into electrical signals that are processed by a microprocessor, eliminating practitioner subjectivity while maintaining clinical relevance through validated assessment scales.
2Measurement precision
If full body dynamics measurement is used to quantify human stability, then the measurement is complete and accurate, but the equipment and procedure become time-consuming and research-only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and measures only the critical parameters needed for clinical balance assessment (center of mass position, acceleration, angular velocity) rather than requiring complete full-body dynamics measurement. This selective extraction of essential parameters maintains measurement accuracy for clinical purposes while dramatically reducing assessment time and complexity, making it suitable for routine clinical practice.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures a subset of parameters that are sufficient for clinical balance assessment rather than complete full-body dynamics. By measuring only the most relevant parameters (CoM position, acceleration, orientation) and using validated algorithms to derive stability metrics, the system achieves adequate measurement precision for clinical decision-making without the time and resource requirements of complete dynamics measurement.
3Ease of operation
If stabilometric platform measuring Center of Pressure is used, then the device is widely used by professionals, but it cannot identify the causes of instability or establish relationship with body position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges measurements from multiple sensor types (accelerometers for linear acceleration, gyroscopes for angular velocity, magnetometers for orientation) to simultaneously track both Center of Pressure and Center of Mass position and movement. This combination of sensors provides comprehensive information about balance mechanics and instability causes while maintaining the ease of use and professional accessibility of stabilometric platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system processes sensor data through a microprocessor to provide real-time feedback about postural stability and instability causes. The feedback mechanism analyzes the relationship between CoP and CoM measurements and provides information about balance control strategies and instability mechanisms, enabling clinicians to understand not just that instability exists but why it occurs.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system comprising: at least one platform (13, 53, 13') configured for, in use, having a person on it, said platform (13, 53, 13') comprising a plurality of sensors configured for capturing information of forces/pressures applied by the feet of the person or of the position of the person's feet; means for, from said captured information, respectively extracting (65, 65') either a center of pressure or the position of the feet; at least one reference signal disposed at a known location with respect to said platform (13, 53, 13'); at least one sensor which, in use, is connected to the body of the person situated on said platform (13, 53, 13'), the sensor being configured for capturing said at least one reference signal; processing means for extracting information from said at least one captured reference signal and for estimating (63) the position and/or orientation of said at least one sensor; processing means for estimating the position and/or orientation of the body of said person; processing means for calculating a stability index (67) from said position and/or orientation of the body of said person and from said extracted feet position or center of pressure.