Sensing systems and methods for monitoring gait dynamics

• US 7,867,285 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2006
• Issued: 01/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ossur hf
• Original Assignee: Ossur hf
• Inventors: Oddsson, Magnús, Clausen, Arinbjörn V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Isabella; David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Woznicki; Jacqueline
• Application Number:
  US11/346,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20060195197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,804 Days
• Field of Search: 623/53
• 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 for implantable prostheses A61F2250/0002
• 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 for testing implantable prostheses A61F2240/008; for implanting artificial joints A61F2/468
• 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 system for measuring performance of a prosthetic device, comprising:

a prosthetic foot device having,

an elongated heel member having a first end extending in a posterior direction from a second end, and

an elongated foot member attached to a top portion of the second end of the elongated heel member, wherein the elongated foot member is configured to bend during locomotion by a user; and

a bending force sensor comprising a thin elongated strip laminated on a top surface of the elongated foot member and extending in an anterior/posterior direction along both sides of a bending axis of the elongated foot member, wherein the bending force sensor is configured to bend with the elongated foot member during locomotion, and wherein the bending force sensor measures a degree in the bending of the elongated foot member during user locomotion by producing resistance output values that are correlated to the bending forces exerted on the elongated strip by the bending of the elongated foot member during locomotion.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bending force sensor is an elongate resistive strip.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the resistive strip is configured to measure toe load and heel load on the prosthetic foot device.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the resistive strip is configured to measure variations in bending over a designated step cycle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the bending force sensor is a variable printed resistor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the bending force sensor comprises resistive carbon technology.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a memory configured to store data related to the bending of the elongated foot member.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface comprising headphones to receive data related to the bending of the elongated foot member.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the bending force sensor comprises a length-to-width ratio of greater than about 5:

1.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the bending force sensor comprises a length-to-width ratio of greater than about 10:

1.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to receive the resistance output values from the bending force sensor and to identify a state of locomotion of the user based on a change in a current one of the resistance output values from a previous one of the resistance output values.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to dynamically adjust the prosthetic foot device during locomotion by the user based on the identified state of locomotion.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to control movement of the prosthetic foot device.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the resistance output value corresponds to a bend radius of the elongated foot member.

15. A system for measuring performance of a prosthetic device associated with a lower limb, comprising:

a prosthetic foot device having,

a heel member, and

an elongated foot member attached to a top portion of the heel member, wherein the elongated foot member is capable of bending while in use, and wherein the elongated foot member further comprises a longitudinal slot extending from a front end of the elongated foot member in a posterior direction toward a rear end of the elongated foot member; and

at least one flexible force sensor comprising a first elongated portion and a second elongated portion each extending in an anterior/posterior direction along both sides of a bending axis of the elongated foot member, wherein the first and second elongated portions of the at least one flexible force sensor are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal slot and on a top surface of the elongated foot member, and wherein the at least one flexible force sensor is configured to bend with the elongated foot member while in use, and wherein the at least one flexible force sensor generates a resistance output value that is correlated to a bend radius of the elongated foot member.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one flexible force sensor is a resistive strip.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second elongated portions comprises a length-to-width ratio of greater than about 5:

1.

18. The system of claim 15, further comprising a processor configured to receive the resistance output value from the flexible force sensor.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to dynamically adjust the prosthetic foot device based on the resistance output value.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor is configured to control movement of at least one of the heel member and the elongated foot member of the prosthetic device.