METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING GAIT AND PROVIDING REAL-TIME FEEDBACK ON GAIT ASYMMETRY

• US 20090240171A1
• Filed: 03/20/2009
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation (State of Utah)
• Original Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation (State of Utah)
• Inventors: Webster, Joseph B., Carson, Randy J., Bertelli, Dante, Morris Bamberg, Stacy J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,591,993 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1123 Discriminating type of movement, e.g. walking or running A61B5/1116, A61B5/112 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7246 using correlation, e.g. template matching or determination of similarity

Abstract

A method and system for analyzing gait asymmetry between left and right feet of individuals by measuring and comparing stance phase time and/or stance phase force between left and right feet during gait, and providing real-time sensory feedback if stance phase time/force inequality exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. A method for analyzing gait and providing real time feedback on gait asymmetry, comprising:

a) receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors disposed within left and right shoes when the shoes are moved through gait motions by a user of the shoes;

b) analyzing the sensor data with an electronic processor by comparing sensor data from the left shoe to the right shoe to determine a difference between the left and right shoes; and

c) activating a sensory feedback alarm to alert the user when the difference between the left and right shoes exceeds a predetermined threshold.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein analyzing the sensor data further includes:

determining and comparing stance phase times or stance phase forces or both of the left and right shoes based on the sensor data and determining a difference between stance phase time or stance phase forces or both between the left and right shoes;

and wherein activating the sensory feedback alarm further includes;

activating the sensory feedback alarm to alert the user when the stance phase times or stance phase forces or both of the left and right shoes exceeds a predetermined threshold.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein analyzing the sensor data further includes analyzing the sensor data in real time during gait motions;

and wherein activating the sensory feedback alarm further includes activating the sensory feedback alarm in real time during gait motions.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein activating the sensory feedback alarm further includes:

sounding an audible noise from a speaker when the difference between the left and right shoes exceeds the predetermined threshold.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4, further comprising adjusting the predetermined threshold based on individual calibration data from the user.

6. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein activating the sensory feedback alarm further includes:

a) sounding a first alarm when a stance phase time asymmetry between the left and right shoes exceeds a predetermined threshold;

b) sounding a second alarm distinct from the first alarm when a stance phase force asymmetry between the left and right shoes exceeds a predetermined threshold; and

c) sounding a third alarm distinct from both the first and second alarms when both the stance phase time asymmetry and stance phase force asymmetry together exceed a predetermined threshold.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

activating the sensory feedback alarm to sound a distinct alarm for steps taken by the user that fall within parameters of the predetermined threshold.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold is at least 15% difference between the left and right shoes.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

placing the left and right shoes on an amputee with at least one leg prosthesis, a lower limb orthopedic surgery patient, a post cerebral accident victim, or a stroke victim.

10. A method for analyzing gait and providing real time feedback on gait asymmetry, comprising:

a) receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors disposed within left and right shoes when the shoes are moved through gait motions by a user of the shoes;

b) determining and comparing stance phase times or stance phase forces or both of the left and right shoes with an electronic processor based on the sensor data and determining a difference between stance phase time or stance phase forces or both between the left and right shoes; and

c) activating a sensory feedback alarm to alert the user when the difference of the stance phase times or stance phase forces or both of the left and right shoes exceeds a predetermined threshold.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein determining a difference between stance phase time or stance phase forces or both further includes determining a difference between stance phase time or stance phase forces or both in real time during gait motions;

and wherein activating the sensory feedback alarm further includes activating the sensory feedback alarm in real time during gait motions.

12. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein activating the sensory feedback alarm further includes:

sounding an audible noise from a speaker when the difference between stance phase times or stance phase forces or both of the left and right shoes exceeds the predetermined threshold.

13. A method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising adjusting the predetermined threshold based on individual calibration data from the user.

14. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein activating the sensory feedback alarm further includes:

a) sounding a first alarm when the difference between stance phase times of the left and right shoes exceeds a predetermined threshold;

b) sounding a second alarm distinct from the first alarm when the difference between stance phase forces of the left and right shoes exceeds a predetermined threshold; and

c) sounding a third alarm distinct from both the first and second alarms when the difference between stance phase times and stance phase forces of the left and right shoes together exceed a predetermined threshold.

15. A method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising:

activating the sensory feedback alarm to sound a distinct alarm for steps taken by the user that fall within parameters of the predetermined threshold.

16. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the predetermined threshold is at least 15% difference between the left and right shoes.

17. A method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising:

placing the left and right shoes on an amputee with at least one leg prosthesis, a lower limb orthopedic surgery patient, a post cerebral accident victim, or a stroke victim.

18. A lower extremity feedback system, comprising:

a) left and right shoes;

b) a plurality of sensors associated with the shoes;

c) a microcontroller electronically coupled to the plurality of sensors and capable of analyzing data from the sensors to determine and compare stance phase times or stance phase forces or both of the left and right shoes during gaited motion and to determine a difference between stance phase times or stance phase forces or both of the left and right shoes; and

d) a sensory feedback device electronically coupled to the microcontroller to sound a sensory alarm when the difference between stance phase times or stance phase forces or both of the left and right shoes exceeds a predetermined threshold.

19. A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the sensory feedback device is selected from the group consisting of:

an auditory speaker, a visual indicator, a vibrator, and combinations thereof.