Method and apparatus for gait recording and analysis

• US 4,600,016 A
• Filed: 08/26/1985
• Issued: 07/15/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Biomechanical Engineering Corporation
• Original Assignee: Biomechanical Engineering Corporation
• Inventors: Boyd, Timothy L., Bizzoco, Dennis L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Citrin, Randy
• Application Number:
  US06/769,437
• Time in Patent Office: 323 Days
• Field of Search: 128/779, 128/782, 352/53, 352/89, 352/243, 354/293
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/045 with heating or cooling means

Abstract

A method and apparatus for use in analyzing the gait of a subject has an elongated transparent platform over which the subject may stride and a moveable camera disposed below the platform for viewing the plantar aspects of the subject'"'"'s foot while the subject strides. The camera is mounted on a trolley driven by a cable and pulley system connected to a belt worn by the subject so that the camera is moved in synchronism with the strides of the subject. High intensity lighting including a fluorescent lamp is placed closely adjacent to one edge of the platform while the remaining edges are covered with highly reflective material to minimize loss of light. The surface of the platform is heated by electrical heating elements so as to preclude the formation of condensation as the subject strides over the platform.

Claims

1. A method of analyzing the gait of a human subject comprising,

(a) having the subject whose gait is being analyzed make a number of strides along a surface of a transparent platform;

(b) viewing by means of a camera the plantar aspects of at least one foot of the subject from beneath the platform; and

(c) moving the camera in response to the strides of the subject so that the plantar aspects of said foot may be monitored while the subject is moving.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, including illuminating an edge of said platform with light while reflecting the light into the platform at other edges of the platform to obtain a high degree of contrast between the contact and noncontact areas of the foot with said surface.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, including heating the platform to preclude the formation of condensation on said surface due to contact of the foot with said surface.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, including illuminating an edge of said platform with light while reflecting the light into the platform at other edges of the platform to obtain a high degree of contrast between the contact and noncontact areas of the foot with said surface.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the camera movement is synchronized with and follows the subject.

6. Apparatus for use in analyzing the natural gait of a subject while striding comprising, an elongated transparent platform having a surface on which the subject may make a number of strides, a camera, means for mounting said camera for viewing from beneath said platform the plantar aspects of at least one foot of said subject, and drive means for moving said camera in response to the strides of the subject so that the plantar aspects of said foot may be monitored throughout at least one full gait cycle while the subject is moving.

7. Apparatus as recited in claim 6, including means for mounting a light emitting means adjacent an edge of said platform, and reflecting means disposed along other edges of the platform for reflecting the emitted light into the platform.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 6, including heating means for heating the platform to preclude the formation of condensation on said surface due to contact of the foot with said surface.

9. Apparatus as recited in claim 8, including means for mounting a light emitting means adjacent an edge of said platform, and reflecting means disposed along other edges of the platform for reflecting the emitted light into the platform.

10. Apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said drive means comprises a trolley for supporting said camera, a member adapted to be carried by said subject, and means connecting said member to said trolley for moving said trolley in synchronism with the striding of the subject.

11. Apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said means for mounting said light emitting means comprises a housing, means for mounting said housing adjacent said edge of said platform, said housing being enclosed about said light emitting means but open between said edge and said light emitting means.

12. Apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said heating means comprises electric heating members in contact with said platform.

13. Apparatus as recited in claim 12, including means for mounting a light emitting means adjacent an edge of said platform, and reflecting means disposed along other edges of the platform for reflecting the emitted light into the platform.

14. Apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said means for mounting said light emitting means comprises a housing, means for mounting said housing adjacent said edge of said platform, said housing being enclosed about said light emitting means but open between said edge and said light emitting means.

15. Apparatus as recited in claim 10, including means for mounting a light emitting means adjacent an edge of said platform, and reflecting means disposed along other edges of the platform for reflecting the emitted light into the platform.

16. Apparatus as recited in claim 15, including heating means for heating the platform to preclude the formation of condensation on said surface due to contact of the foot with said surface.

17. Apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said means for mounting said light emitting means comprises a housing, means for mounting said housing adjacent said edge of said platform, said housing being enclosed about said light emitting means but open between said edge and said light emitting means.

18. Apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said heating means comprises electric heating members in contact with said platform.

19. Apparatus as recited in claim 10, including heating means for heating the platform to preclude the formation of condensation on said surface due to contact of the foot with said surface.

20. Apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said member comprises a belt, and said means connecting said member to said trolley comprises cable means, a plurality of pulleys, said cable means being trained about said pulleys for synchronously driving said trolley with the striding of said subject.