Foot analyzer

• US 6,331,893 B1
• Filed: 01/16/2001
• Issued: 12/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Footmarks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Footmarks, Inc.
• Inventors: Williams, David M., Welty, Carl T., Brown, Algie C., Dabbs, James M., Williams, Henry G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Robert H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STAFIRA, MICHAEL PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US09/760,676
• Time in Patent Office: 336 Days
• Field of Search: 356/601, 356/606, 356/607, 356/608, 356/614, 33/3, 731/72, 737/65, 364/550, 364/558, 364/561
• US Class Current: 356/601
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 1/02 Foot-measuring devices measuring the shape, pattern or size of the body for diagnostic purposes A61B5/103, e.g. measuring physical dimensions A61B5/107
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 1/025 comprising optical means, e.g. mirrors, photo-electric cells, for measuring or inspecting feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1074 Foot measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4023 Evaluating sense of balance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7445 Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/24 for measuring contours or curvatures

Abstract

An apparatus and methods for analyzing feet which utilize matrixes of pressures sensors and optical sensors connected to a controller and a monitor. An apparatus of the invention includes a housing which houses a controller and a monitor and defines left and right foot wells for receiving left and right feet, respectively. The floor of each foot well includes a pressure pad assembly which includes a matrix of pressure sensor contacts covered by a variably resistive pressure pad to form pressure sensor matrixes. A digital signal processor normalizes and smoothes the pressure data for display on the monitor. Infrared LED'"'"'s and phototransistors are located around the perimeter of each foot well and are utilized to measure the length, width, and heights of a foot. A microprocessor addresses each LED and phototransistor separately. The controller reads data created by the DSP and IR microprocessor, calculates additional data, and displays the resulting data on the monitor. According to one method, the pressure sensors and optical sensors are utilized to determine, among others, foot length, foot width, shoe size, foot volume, foot shape, force distribution, pronation, arch type, and recommended last type. In other methods, the DSP and IR microprocessors provide data which enable the controller to perform calculations and comparisons to display orthotic prescriptions or insole selection information, as well as medical information related to center of pressure and postural sway analysis which is useful in diagnosing and treating a large variety of medical problems.

Claims

1. A method of measuring postural sway, the method comprising the steps of:

arranging a plurality of optical sensors to define a sensing area for receipt of a foot and a base portion of a leg attached to the foot;

operating the plurality of optical sensors to locate a position of a foot substantially randomly located within the sensing area;

generating optical data representing the position of the foot;

generating optical data representing the position of the base portion of a leg attached to the foot;

determining, based upon the optical data representing the position of the foot and the optical data representing the position of the base portion of the leg attached to the foot, information associated with the position of the base portion of the leg attached to the foot relative to the position of the foot; and

,

outputting the determined information.