Sensing systems and methods for monitoring gait dynamics

• US 20060206215A1
• Filed: 05/08/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kaupthing Bank HF
• Original Assignee: Arion Banki Hf
• Inventors: Clausen, Arinbjorn V., Oddsson, Magnus
• Granted Patent: US 7,862,620 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/66 Feet; Ankle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/70 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/76 Means for assembling, fitting or testing prostheses, e.g. for measuring or balancing, e.g. alignment means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5055 Reinforcing prostheses by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping, e.g. carbon fibre composites
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6614 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6621 Toes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6642 Heels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6657 having a plate-like or strip-like spring element, e.g. an energy-storing cantilever spring keel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6671 C-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6685 S-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/704 computer-controlled, e.g. robotic control
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/705 Electromagnetic data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7635 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7645 for measuring torque, e.g. hinge or turning moment, moment of force
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/769 Displaying measured values
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7695 Means for testing non-implantable prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0188 having pressure sensors

Abstract

Systems and method for monitoring gait dynamics are disclosed. The performance of an orthotic or prosthetic device or other device associated with a limb may be measured based on the resistance of a bending sensor. Data from the sensors is gathered or processed, particularly for purposes of alignment, safety, failure, usage, selection, and artificial proprioception. Information relating to the device may be outputted visually or auditorily to an individual.

Claims

1. A method of gathering information regarding a prosthetic foot, comprising:

providing a prosthetic foot having at least one sensor associated therewith;

measuring with said sensor a performance characteristic of said prosthetic foot while in use; and

storing data corresponding to performance characteristics measured by said sensor within a memory.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the performance characteristic is a measurement of force applied to said prosthetic foot.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the performance characteristic is the bending of said prosthetic foot.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining an activity index of a user based on the stored data.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring said performance characteristic on a step-by-step basis and storing data corresponding to the performance characteristic per step.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is stored on a memory provided on the device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is stored on a memory residing on a device temporarily connected to the device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting a computer to the device, the computer containing said memory to store said data.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising analyzing the stored data to provide information to a prosthetist selected from the group consisting of alignment, usage statistics, safety, selection, and failure.

10. A method of gathering information regarding a device associated with a limb, comprising:

providing a device associated with a limb having at least one sensor associated therewith;

measuring with said sensor a toe load value and heel strike value of said device while in use; and

determining whether at least one of said toe load value and heel strike value falls within a predetermined range indicative of different states of a user'"'"'s gait.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising counting a step for every determination that at least one of said toe load value and heel strike value falls within said predetermined range.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a signal when at least one of said toe load value and heel strike value falls within said predetermined range.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining whether at least one of said toe load value and heel strike value exceeds a threshold value.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising storing information relating to whether at least one of said toe load value and heel strike value falls within the predetermined range.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined range is based on one or more of the following:

alignment, usage statistics, safety, selection, failure, and artificial proprioception.

16. A method for assessing whether a device associated with a limb is in a suitable working condition, comprising:

providing a device associated with a limb having at least one sensor associated therewith;

measuring with said sensor a biomechanical characteristic of said device while in use;

communicating information from said sensor to a processor;

processing said information to determine whether said device is or is not in a suitable working condition; and

providing a signal indicating whether said device is or is not in a suitable working condition.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the device is a prosthetic foot.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the sensor measures bending.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said sensor measures at least a toe load state and a heel strike state.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising providing said signal when one of said toe load state and said heel strike state is detected.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising providing said signal when a threshold value on toe load or heel strike has been exceeded.

22. A device for attachment to a limb, comprising:

at least one sensor associated with the device configured to measure a biomechanical characteristic of said device while in use;

a processor configured to process information selected from the sensor to determine whether said device satisfies a desired condition selected from the group consisting of;

alignment, safety, and failure; and

a user interface indicating whether or not said device satisfies the condition.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the device is a prosthetic foot.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the user interface is a display provided on the device.

25. The device of claim 22, wherein the user interface is a sound.

26. A prosthetic foot system, comprising:

a prosthetic foot;

at least one sensor provided on the prosthetic foot configured to measure a performance characteristic of said foot while in use; and

a memory storing information gathered by said sensor to compile a history of the performance characteristic of said foot while in use.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the sensor is a resistive strip.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the performance characteristic is bending.

29. The system of claim 26, further comprising a display to output the history of the performance characteristic.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the display comprises a monitor, wherein the monitor is mounted on a computer connectible to the device.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the display comprises an LED indicator mounted on the device.

32. The system of claim 26, further comprising headphones to output the performance characteristic of said foot while in use.