Treadmill Gait Training with Pressure Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gait analysis devices can only record a single step and unrolling process, which is insufficient for maintaining natural gait behavior, and existing treadmill systems lack the capability to provide continuous and adaptive feedback for rehabilitation and training purposes.
Innovation Solution
A treadmill system with integrated pressure sensors and image display technology that projects images onto the running surface, allowing for real-time feedback and adjustment of gait parameters, including step size, angle, and obstacle navigation, synchronized with pressure distribution evaluation, to enhance user engagement and therapy effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single step recording device is used, then the measurement precision for individual step analysis is improved, but the duration of action is limited and cannot maintain natural gait behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The treadmill enables continuous recording of gait parameters over extended periods while maintaining natural walking behavior. The system continuously monitors pressure distributions and generates feedback images throughout the entire walking sequence, eliminating the limitation of single-step recording and allowing prolonged observation of gait patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback by projecting images of the current step onto the treadmill surface, allowing the user to immediately see and adjust their gait. This continuous feedback loop enables natural gait behavior to be maintained throughout the entire recording duration, as users can self-correct based on visual guidance.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a treadmill with pressure sensors is used, then the duration of action is extended for continuous gait analysis, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The treadmill system integrates multiple functions into a single device: it serves as both a walking simulator and a pressure sensing platform, and simultaneously displays visual feedback images. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices, reducing overall system complexity while enabling continuous gait analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the pressure sensor matrix, image display projection, and treadmill belt into an integrated unit. The pressure sensors are embedded within the treadmill structure, and the image projection system overlays visual information directly onto the walking surface, combining measurement and feedback functions in a unified system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If image display is added to the treadmill, then the adaptability for rehabilitation training is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The image display system projects dynamic, changeable visual patterns onto the treadmill surface rather than using a fixed display. This allows the same hardware to adapt to different rehabilitation exercises, training scenarios, and user needs by simply changing the projected images, greatly enhancing versatility without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically modifying the treadmill surface for different training scenarios, the system creates visual copies or representations of various surfaces and environments projected onto the treadmill. This allows virtual simulation of different terrains and conditions without physical modification, simplifying manufacturing while increasing adaptability.
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 continuous gait analysis and adaptive training by providing real-time feedback and dynamic adjustments to gait parameters, improving user acceptance and therapy outcomes by simulating various surfaces and environments, thus enhancing rehabilitation and sports medicine applications.
Implementation Method 1
a spatially high-resolution pressure detection plate (3) with a plurality of pressure sensors arranged in matrix form for detecting through the user is provided with pressure detection images generated when they step on the treadmill
Implementation Method 2
the display means have an image projector for projecting images also on the running surface of the treadmill
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement for gait training, having an endless belt guided by at least two rollers and acting as a treadmill, one surface thereof acting as a running surface, and having a sensor for determining a pressure/force distribution on a force measurement plate present under the running surface, comprising a plurality of pressure/force sensors on the side facing the endless belt, an analysis unit connected to the pressure/force sensors on the input side and detecting pressure distributions generated on the running surface by a walking or running test subject, a processing unit connected on the input side to the analysis unit generating from the pressure distributions values or signals characterizing the gait of the test subject, optical display means for displaying images in the area of the running surface connected to image signal generating means and a display sequence controller for generating and positionally controlling in time and space images or image elements, and a synchronizing and adapting stage for synchronizing and adapting the processing of the pressure distribution images to the image display in the area of the running surface.