Textile Sensors for Continuous Gait Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gait analysis systems are costly, cumbersome, and limited in their ability to provide continuous, real-time monitoring outside of laboratory settings, failing to accurately reflect motor function in daily life and requiring complex equipment that is not user-friendly or easily accessible.

Innovation Solution

A wearable gait analysis system using textile sensors integrated into clothing and socks, featuring wireless transmission, digital output, and Bluetooth interfaces, allowing for comfortable, washable, and durable monitoring of gait parameters such as stride length, speed, and posture changes, with sensors in multiple locations to capture comprehensive movement data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional gait analysis equipment is used in laboratories, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegait analysis accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical gait analysis equipment with textile sensors integrated into clothing and shoes. These sensors use flexible conductive materials and simple electrical circuits to detect gait parameters, eliminating the need for sophisticated mechanical devices while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs textile sensors made from flexible conductive materials embedded in thin fabric layers. These thin-film sensors are integrated into clothing and footwear, providing gait detection functionality without adding bulk or mechanical complexity, thus simplifying the overall system while preserving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Measurement precision

If traditional gait analysis systems are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegait analysis accuracyVSAvoiduser-friendliness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The textile sensor system automatically detects and records gait parameters without requiring user intervention or specialized operation. The sensors passively monitor movement as the user wears the clothing, eliminating the need for complex setup or operation procedures while maintaining accurate measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the textile sensor system to be integrated into everyday clothing and footwear that anyone can wear. The same garment serves both as regular attire and as a functional gait analysis device, making the system accessible and easy to operate for general users without requiring specialized equipment or training

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If traditional gait analysis equipment is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to field tests and laboratory requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegait analysis accuracyVSAvoidtime for field tests and laboratory experiments

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates gait sensors into everyday clothing and footwear that users wear continuously in their daily lives. This preliminary, continuous data collection occurs naturally as part of normal activities, eliminating the need for separate field tests or laboratory scheduling, thus saving time while accumulating precise gait data for later analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If washable textile sensors are used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashability and comfortVSAvoidsensor integration precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials combining conductive fibers with textile fabrics to create washable sensors. The conductive elements are integrated into the fabric structure through methods such as knitting, weaving, or coating, creating a unified material that maintains both textile properties (washability, flexibility) and sensing functionality while withstanding repeated washing cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The sensors are constructed as thin flexible films integrated into the textile structure. This thin-film design allows the sensors to conform to the fabric's flexibility and washability characteristics, enabling the entire garment to be machine-washed while maintaining sensor functionality and electrical connectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS8961439B2System and method for analyzing gait using fabric sensors

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 MING YOUNG BIOMEDICAL CORP

AI summary

A system for analyzing gait using textile sensors is disclosed. A system includes a sock sensing system, which comprises a sock and at least one switch, tension sensor, or pressure sensor for sensing a posture or movement; and a processor configured to receive signals from the sock sensing system and to analyze a gait parameter, wherein the processor is configured to calculate the gait parameter using a signal from the sock sensing system as a trigger point.