A smart insole with sensors and gyroscopes that connects to phone can be used to correct walking abnormalities from artifical legs and could be used to improve the gait of sportsmen
University of Utah professor Stacy Bamberg, is developing a shoe insole that can gather comparable data to Nike's popular line of high-tech sneakers and does more than track laps and airtime. The new insole, which Bamberg calls the Rapid Rehab system, will eventually help correct walking problems for people with artifical legs, hip replacement and broken legs.
"I started this research when I was a doctrol student 10 years ago," says Bamberg. "In the last few years, we have published several papers on this tech. We are now working hard to get our product to people who need it.'
The real-time Rapid Rehab system uses a custom gel insole with force sensors, accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect a person's gait, or walking pattern. The immediate use for this technology is for amputees who would like to reduce how much they limp when using prothetic legs. The system monitors footsteps and provides continuous feedback during every step.
The software component of the Rapid Rehab system is one if its biggest advantages. Bamberg and her colleagues created a smartphone application that wirelessly tracks data from the insole and provides a variety of instantaneous feedback. Users or physical therapists can choose from visual, audio or sensory feedback.
"This has been an incredible project to work on," says Matthew Schmidt, a student who helped improve the insole's electronic and software components. "Rapid Rehab could revolutionise the way physical therapists correct walking problems."
Several sensors are embedded in the insole of the Rapid Rehab system. The current prototype has two force-sensitive resistors for tarcking pressure when the foot is on the ground. In addition, it has an inertial measurement unit, which includes an accelerometer and gyroscope for measuring foot position and angle. The device can be customised to track most types of foot movement or pressure.
Bamberg eventually wants to expand the uses for Rapid Rehab to help people who have received a hip replacement or suffered a bone facture and need to correct their gait as they heal. Corrections are important because uneven steps, such as limping, can cause falls, osteoarthritis and other health problems. Beyond that, shoe companies might even be interested in applications for the sports world.
Rapid Rehab has several benefits over completing technologies. Unlike a gait-analysis laboratory, it is inexpensive and can be used in any real-world setting. It is much more accurate than subjective observations by a physical therapist. It also gives users more feed-back and control, which can result in quicker results.
Within a few years, Bamberg hopes to be selling the Rapid Rehab system to physical therapists and their patients for around $500 a pop.
"We are on the verge of having a major impact on the lives of computees and others who struggle were the formalities," says Bamberg. "We will be working rapidly toward commercial production. All the essential pieces are already in place. We want our system to be used by every physical therapist in the country and across the world."
University of Utah professor Stacy Bamberg, is developing a shoe insole that can gather comparable data to Nike's popular line of high-tech sneakers and does more than track laps and airtime. The new insole, which Bamberg calls the Rapid Rehab system, will eventually help correct walking problems for people with artifical legs, hip replacement and broken legs.
The real-time Rapid Rehab system uses a custom gel insole with force sensors, accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect a person's gait, or walking pattern. The immediate use for this technology is for amputees who would like to reduce how much they limp when using prothetic legs. The system monitors footsteps and provides continuous feedback during every step.
The software component of the Rapid Rehab system is one if its biggest advantages. Bamberg and her colleagues created a smartphone application that wirelessly tracks data from the insole and provides a variety of instantaneous feedback. Users or physical therapists can choose from visual, audio or sensory feedback.
"This has been an incredible project to work on," says Matthew Schmidt, a student who helped improve the insole's electronic and software components. "Rapid Rehab could revolutionise the way physical therapists correct walking problems."
Several sensors are embedded in the insole of the Rapid Rehab system. The current prototype has two force-sensitive resistors for tarcking pressure when the foot is on the ground. In addition, it has an inertial measurement unit, which includes an accelerometer and gyroscope for measuring foot position and angle. The device can be customised to track most types of foot movement or pressure.
Rapid Rehab has several benefits over completing technologies. Unlike a gait-analysis laboratory, it is inexpensive and can be used in any real-world setting. It is much more accurate than subjective observations by a physical therapist. It also gives users more feed-back and control, which can result in quicker results.
Within a few years, Bamberg hopes to be selling the Rapid Rehab system to physical therapists and their patients for around $500 a pop.
"We are on the verge of having a major impact on the lives of computees and others who struggle were the formalities," says Bamberg. "We will be working rapidly toward commercial production. All the essential pieces are already in place. We want our system to be used by every physical therapist in the country and across the world."
No comments:
Post a Comment