Apparatus for sensing and measuring pressure and shear components of a force at an interface between two surfaces

• US 9,700,258 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2013
• Issued: 07/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Southampton
• Original Assignee: University of Southampton
• Inventors: Jiang, Liudi
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): COTEY, PHILIP L
• Application Number:
  US14/392,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20160015311A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/447 specially adapted for aiding the prevention of ulcer or pressure sore development, i.e. before the ulcer or sore has developed
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6894 Wheel chairs
• 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 2/7812 Interface cushioning members placed between the limb stump and the socket, e.g. bandages or stockings for the limb stump
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/80 Sockets, e.g. of suction type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7635 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/785 Pads, e.g. relief pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/32 for force
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/057 Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor ventilation openings in mattresses A47C21/042; pneumatic or hydraulic mattresses A47C27/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/127 by using inductive means G01L1/122, G01L1/125 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/146 for measuring force distributions, e.g. using force arrays G01L1/148 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/164 using variations in inductance
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/165 using variations in capacitance

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for sensing and measuring and/or shear components of a force at an interface between two surfaces, which apparatus (2) comprises: (i) at least one flexible means (4) for receiving the pressure and/or shear components of the force; and (ii) transducer means (6) for producing electrical signals consequent upon movement of the flexible means (4) in response to the pressure and/or shear components of the force, and the apparatus (2) being such that: (iii) the flexible means (4) comprises first and second electrode parts (18, 20) which are spaced apart by the flexible means (12); (iv) the first and second electrode parts (18, 20) move solely towards each other as a result of the pressure component of the force being applied to the flexible means (4); and (v) the first and second electrode parts (18, 20) move towards and parallel to each other as a result of the shear component of the force being applied to the flexible means (4).

Claims

1. Apparatus for sensing and measuring pressure and shear components of a force at an interface between two surfaces, which apparatus comprises:

(i) at least one flexible means for receiving the pressure component of the force and the shear component of the force; and

(ii) transducer means for producing electrical signals consequent upon movement of the flexible means in response to the pressure component of the force and/or the shear component of the force,

and the apparatus being such that;

(iii) the transducer means comprises first and second electrode parts which are spaced apart by the flexible means;

(iv) the first and second electrode parts move solely towards each other as a result of the pressure component of the force being applied to the flexible means;

(v) the first and second electrode parts move towards and parallel to each other as a result of the shear component of the force being applied to the flexible means; and

(vi) the movement of the first and second electrode parts towards and parallel to each other is such that;

(a) the movement has an X-direction component due to the shear component of the force having an X-direction; and

(b) the movement has a Y-direction component due to the shear component of the force having a Y-direction.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the sensing structure is one that has been produced by 3D printing using a 3D printer, or by using elastomer material which is moulded to shape.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 and which is integral with at least one sensing pad for use within a prosthetic socket liner or a prosthetic socket.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which at least one of the first and second electrode parts has a planar surface.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which at least one of the first and second electrode parts includes at least one flexible printed circuit board.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the flexible means is an elastomer, silicone, a thermoplastic elastomer or urethane.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the flexible means has a planar surface.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the flexible means is an insulating sensing structure, and in which the transducer means comprises conductive layers which are provided on the flexible means and which enable the production of an electrical signal.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the flexible means are flexible pillar members.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the transducer means is a capacitive transducer means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the capacitive transducer means comprises a first capacitive member on a first surface of the flexible means, and a second capacitive member on a second surface of the flexible means.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which the first capacitive member is a member with planar or non-planar surfaces, and in which the second capacitive member is a member with a planar surface.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which the first capacitive member is a member with planar or non-planar surfaces, and in which the second capacitive member is a member with a non-planar surface.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the transducer means is an inductive transducer means.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 in which the inductive transducer means comprises a first inductive member on a first surface of the flexible means, and a second inductive member on a second surface on the flexible means.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including at least one signal processing integrated circuit.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including a plurality of the flexible means.

18. An article when provided with apparatus according to claim 1.

19. An article according to claim 18 and in the form of a prosthesis, a wheelchair, a bed, or footwear.

20. An article according to claim 19 which is in the form of the prosthesis, and in which the apparatus is in the form of a prosthetic socket liner, or at least one sensing pad in a prosthetic socket of the prosthesis.

21. An article according to claim 18 and including a closed loop control system for activating relevant actuators in response to signals from apparatus according to claim 1.

22. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which at least one of the first and second electrode parts has a non-planar surface.

23. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the flexible means has a non-planar surface.