Clinical assessment of balance on a platform with controlled stability

A system for clinical assessment of balance of a subject on a balance platform with controlled stability, comprising:

• the balance platform supported under its center by a ball joint, the ball joint disposed atop a vertical support, which is disposed on a base;
• a toroidal bladder supporting the balance platform under the periphery of the balance platform, the toroidal bladder encircling the vertical support, and being disposed on the base;
• a high-pressure reservoir maintaining a range of high air pressures, in which a lowest value of the range of high air pressures exceeds that of a maximum target air pressure for the toroidal bladder;
• a control valve connected to the high-pressure reservoir, the toroidal bladder, and the atmosphere;
• an air pressure sensor connected to the toroidal bladder;
• an inclinometer disposed on the underside of the balance platform to measure a direction of tilt of the balance platform in the horizontal x-y plane and a degree of tilt of the balance platform relative to a vertical z-axis in response to the subject's real time movements on the balance platform;
• and
• a computer:
• receiving an air pressure value from the air pressure sensor;
• receiving measures of the direction of tilt and the degree of tilt of the balance platform;
• sending a first control signal that opens the control valve between the high-pressure reservoir and the toroidal bladder to inflate the toroidal bladder to a target air pressure, restraining downward tilting of the balance platform and providing greater stability to the balance platform, when an air pressure value of the toroidal bladder is less than the target air pressure;
• and
• sending a second control signal that closes the control valve, when the air pressure sensor senses the target air pressure in the toroidal bladder.