Wearable Inertial Sensor Garments for Real-Time Movement Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing movement training systems are limited in scope and effectiveness, particularly for general public use, and lack real-time feedback and comprehensive analysis to prevent injuries and improve athletic performance, as seen in technologies like Athos, which provide only superficial muscle-based metrics and post-activity feedback.
Innovation Solution
A cyber-physical system comprising a wearable garment with integrated inertial sensors, an information system, and real-time musculorientation metrics generation, providing multi-modal feedback via haptics and visual information to enhance gait training and retraining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional movement training systems are used, then training can be provided, but the scope is limited and effectiveness is limited to verbal recommendations
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to users during movement activities through sensors that detect motion parameters and deliver immediate information about performance, correcting misconceptions about feedback mechanisms and enabling continuous improvement during the activity itself
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical training methods with a cyber-physical system that uses electronic sensors, processors, and display devices to provide comprehensive movement analysis and feedback, expanding scope beyond verbal recommendations
2Loss of time
If post-activity feedback is provided, then some useful information is given, but real-time feedback during activity is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback during movement activities by continuously monitoring motion parameters and providing immediate information to users, enabling correction of movement patterns during the activity itself rather than after completion
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares and delivers feedback information during the activity itself rather than waiting for post-activity analysis, allowing users to adjust their movement in real-time based on immediate feedback about their performance
3Device complexity
If simple muscle-based metrics are provided, then the system remains simple, but comprehensive feedback and analysis is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the feedback into multiple modalities (visual, auditory, haptic) and provides different types of information (motion parameters, performance metrics, corrective guidance) through separate channels, managing complexity while delivering comprehensive feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple sensor types and feedback modalities into a single unified platform that can provide comprehensive movement analysis, replacing the need for separate simple systems with one multi-functional comprehensive system
4Reliability
If surgical intervention is used to reduce knee adduction moment, then load reduction is achieved, but the treatment is invasive and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to users about their movement patterns and knee loading, enabling them to modify their gait and reduce knee adduction moments through conscious effort during daily activities, avoiding the need for invasive surgery
Solution Approach 2:
The system empowers users to independently monitor and modify their own movement patterns to reduce knee loading, eliminating the need for surgical intervention by providing the tools and information for self-correction
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 real-time, comprehensive feedback for improving human motion, reducing the risk of injuries and progression of osteoarthritis by altering biomechanical loads, applicable to various neurological disorders and conditions like cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and Parkinson's disease.
Implementation Method 1
at least one inertial sensor, wherein the at least one inertial sensor is integrated with or into the at least one garment
Data Source
AI summary
Contemplated systems for monitoring and analysis of human motion synthesis are disclosed herein that include: at least one garment configured to be worn by a user, at least one inertial sensor, wherein the at least one inertial sensor is integrated with or into the at least one garment, an information system, wherein the information system communicates with the at least one inertial sensor to produce a set of data, at least one musculorientation metric generated by the information system, and at least one performance report that is produced from the analysis of the at least one musculorientation metric.