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US 6,836,744 B1Granted

Portable system for analyzing human gait

AssigneeFareid A. Asphahani

InventorsFareid A. Asphahani, Hwa C. Lee

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Abstract Drawings Claims Description

Abstract

The invention is a portable gait analyzer comprising of at least one independent rear foot motion collection unit, at least one independent lower shank motion collection unit, plantar pressure collection unit, at least one processing and display unit, and a soft casing unit. A plurality of accelerometers, rate sensors, force sensor resistors, and pressure sensors provide for the acquisition of acceleration signals, angular velocity signals, foot force signals, and foot pressure signals to be processed. At least one central processing unit, a plurality of memory components, input/output components and ports, telemetry components, calibration components, liquid crystal displays components for the processing and outputting of three dimensional acceleration, angular velocity, tilt, and position. The rearfoot motion collection unit and lower shank motion collection unit interact with the processing and display unit to calculate rear foot kinematic data crucial to identify the motions of pronation and supination. The plantar pressure collection unit interacts with the processing and display unit to calculate plantar pressure data crucial to identify the center of pressure line and excessive and abnormal loads on the sole of the foot. These factors of rear-foot kinematics and plantar pressure lead to gait style identification.

Claims41

Dependent claims

Claim 1A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot · 187 words9 dependent Claim 11A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot · 261 words9 dependent Claim 21A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot · 286 words2 dependent Claim 24A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot · 190 words2 dependent Claim 27A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot · 139 words1 dependent Claim 29A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot · 227 words1 dependent Claim 31A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot · 163 words1 dependent Claim 33A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot · 196 words1 dependent Claim 35A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot · 186 words1 dependent Claim 37A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot · 140 wordsNo dependents Claim 38A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot · 158 wordsNo dependents Claim 39A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about the user's foot · 188 wordsNo dependents Claim 40A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot · 238 wordsNo dependents Claim 41A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot · 264 wordsNo dependents

A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a) a detachable sole;
b) a soft casing unit having a detachable sole cover, a detachable foot cover, a detachable shank cover, and a releasable securement means for releasably and adjustably securing the detachable sole cover, the detachable foot cover, and the detachable shank cover about said user's foot;
c) a plantar pressure collecting unit positioned between a plantar side of said user's foot and the detachable sole;
d) a rearfoot motion collection unit having at least one accelerometer sensor and at least one rate sensor;
e) a lower shank motion collection unit having at least one accelerometer sensor and at least one rate sensor;
f) a detachable processing unit in electrical communication with the plantar pressure collection unit, the rearfoot motion collection unit, and the lower shank motion collection unit, said detachable processing unit for processing data from a plurality of said accelerometers and said sensors;
and
g) a visual display unit in electrical communication with the detachable processing unit for displaying the data processed by the processing unit.

5 more elements

A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a) a detachable sole which is flexible, durable, electrically insulating, and resilient;
b) a soft casing unit having a detachable sole cover, a detachable foot cover, a detachable shank cover, and a releasable securement means for releasably and adjustably securing the detachable sole cover, the detachable foot cover, and the detachable shank cover about said user's foot;
c) a plantar pressure collection unit positioned between a plantar side of said users foot and the detachable sole, to identify the center of pressure line and excessive and abnormal loads on the sole of the foot;
d) a rearfoot motion collection unit having at least one accelerometer sensor and a plurality of rate sensors to calculate rearfoot kinematic data crucial to identify the motions of pronation and supination;
e) a lower shank motion collection unit having at least one accelerometer sensor and a plurality of rate sensors to provide lower shank motion data, which when combined with data from the rearfoot kinematic data, to provide three dimensional static and dynamic acceleration, angular velocity, two-axis tilt information, and static and dynamic foot movements;
f) a detachable processing unit in electrical communication with the plantar pressure collection unit, the rearfoot motion collection unit, and the lower shank motion collection unit, said detachable processing unit for processing data from said accelerometers and said plurality of sensors;
and
g) a visual display unit in electrical communication with the detachable processing unit for displaying the data processed by the processing unit.

5 more elements

A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a) a detachable sole which is flexible, durable, electrically insulating, and resilient;
b) a soft casing unit having a detachable sole cover, a detachable foot cover, a detachable shank cover, and a releasable securement means for releasably and adjustably securing the detachable sole cover, the detachable foot cover, and the detachable shank cover about said user's foot;
c) a plantar pressure collection unit positioned between a plantar side of said user's foot and the detachable sole, to identify the center of pressure line and excessive and abnormal loads on the sole of the foot;
d) a rearfoot motion collection unit having at least one accelerometer sensor and a plurality of rate sensors to calculate rearfoot kinematic data crucial to identify the motions of pronation and supination;
e) a lower shank motion collection unit having at least one accelerometer sensor and a plurality of rate sensors to provide lower shank motion data, which when combined with data from the rearfoot kinematic data, provides three dimensional static and dynamic acceleration, angular velocity, 2-axis tilt information, and static and dynamic foot movements;
f) a detachable processing unit in electrical communication with the plantar pressure collection unit, the rearfoot motion collection unit, and the lower shank motion collection unit, said detachable processing unit for processing data from said accelerometers and said plurality of sensors, which has been normalized by body weight and calibration;
and
g) an LCD visual display unit in electrical communication with the detachable processing unit for displaying the data comprises vital gait information, including over-pronate, supinate, and neutral plantar pressure/distribution and the amount of eversion/inversion angle of the user's foot.

5 more elements

A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a detachable sole which is flexible, durable, electrically insulating, and resilient, a soft casing unit having a detachable sole cover, a detachable foot cover, a detachable shank cover, and a releasable securement means for releasably and adjustably securing the detachable sole cover, the detachable foot cover, and the detachable shank cover about said user's foot, a plantar pressure collection unit positioned between a plantar side of the user's foot and the detachable sole, to identify the center of pressure line and excessive and abnormal loads on the sole of the foot, a detachable processing unit in electrical communication with the plantar pressure collection unit, said detachable processing unit for processing data from said plantar pressure collection unit, said data being normalized by body weight calibration, and an LCD visual display unit in electrical communication with the detachable processing unit for displaying the data processed by the processing unit, and the information displayed comprising vital gait information comprising over-pronate, supinate, and neutral plantar pressure/distribution and the amount of eversion/inversion angle of the user's foot.

A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a detachable sole, a soft casing unit having a detachable sole cover, a detachable foot cover, a detachable shank cover, and a releasable securement means for releasably and adjustably securing the detachable sole cover, the detachable foot cover, and the detachable shank cover about said user's foot, a rearfoot motion collection unit having at least one accelerometer sensor and at least one rate sensor, a detachable processing unit in electrical communication with the rearfoot motion collection unit, said detachable processing unit being configured for processing data from said at least one accelerometer sensor and said at least one rate sensor, and a visual display unit in electrical communication with the detachable processing unit for displaying the data processed by the processing unit.

A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a detachable sole which is flexible, durable, electrically insulating, and resilient, a soft casing unit having a detachable sole cover, a detachable foot cover, a detachable shank cover, and a releasable securement means for releasably and adjustably securing the detachable sole cover, the detachable foot cover, and the detachable shank cover about said user's foot, a plantar pressure collection unit positioned between a plantar side of said user's foot and the detachable sole, to identify the center of pressure line and excessive and abnormal loads on the sole of the foot, a detachable processing unit in electrical communication with the plantar pressure collection unit, said detachable processing unit being configured for processing data from said plantar pressure collection unit, and a visual display unit in electrical communication with the detachable processing unit for displaying the data processed by the processing unit, a rearfoot motion collection unit having at least one accelerometer sensor and a plurality of rate sensors to calculate rearfoot kinematic data crucial to identify the motions of pronation and supination, said detachable processing unit further being in electrical communication with the rearfoot motion collection unit, said detachable processing unit being further configured for processing data from said at least one accelerometer sensor and said plurality of rate sensors.

A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a detachable sole which is flexible, durable, electrically insulating, and resilient, a soft casing unit having a detachable sole cover, a detachable foot cover, a detachable shank cover, and a releasable securement means for releasably and adjustably securing the detachable sole cover, the detachable foot cover, and the detachable shank cover about said user's foot, a rearfoot motion collection unit having at least one accelerometer sensor and a plurality of rate sensors to calculate rearfoot kinematic data crucial to identify the motions of pronation and supination, a detachable processing unit in electrical communication with the rearfoot motion collection unit, said detachable processing unit being configured for processing said rearfoot kinematic data from said at least one accelerometer sensor and said plurality of rate sensors, and a visual display unit in electrical communication with the detachable processing unit for displaying the data processed by the processing unit.

A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a detachable sole which is flexible, durable, electrically insulating, and resilient, a soft casing unit having a detachable sole cover, a detachable foot cover, a detachable shank cover, and a releasable securement means for releasably and adjustably securing the detachable sole cover, the detachable foot cover, and the detachable shank cover about said user's foot, a rearfoot motion collection unit having at least one accelerometer sensor and a plurality of rate sensors to calculate rearfoot kinematic data crucial to identify the motions of pronation and supination, a detachable processing unit in electrical communication with the rearfoot motion collection unit, said detachable processing unit configured for processing said rearfoot kinematic data from said at least one accelerometer sensor and said plurality of rate sensors, which have been normalized by body weight calibration, and an LCD visual display unit in electrical communication with the detachable processing unit for displaying the data processed by the processing unit, and the information displayed comprising vital gait information comprising over-pronate, supinate, and neutral plantar pressure/distribution and the amount of eversion/inversion angle of the user's foot.

A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a detachable sole, a soft casing unit having a detachable sole cover, a detachable foot cover, a detachable shank cover, and a releasable securement means for releasably and adjustably securing the detachable sole cover, the detachable foot cover, and the detachable shank cover about said user's foot, a plantar pressure collection unit positioned between a plantar side of said user's foot and the detachable sole, a rearfoot motion collection unit having at least one accelerometer sensor and at least one rate sensor, a detachable processing unit in electrical communication with the plantar pressure collection unit, said detachable processing unit being configured for processing data from the plantar pressure collection unit, said detachable processing unit further being in electrical communication with said rearfoot motion collection unit, said processing unit being further configured for processing data from at least one accelerometer sensor and said at least one rate sensor, and a visual display unit in electrical communication with the detachable processing unit for displaying the data processed by the processing unit.

A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a detachable sole, a soft casing unit having a detachable sole cover, a detachable foot cover, a detachable shank cover, and a releasable securement means for releasably and adjustably securing the detachable sole cover, the detachable foot cover, and the detachable shank cover about said user's foot, a lower shank motion collection unit having at least one accelerometer senor and at least one rate senor, a detachable processing unit in electrical communication with the lower shank motion collection unit, said detachable processing unit being configured for processing data from said at least one accelerometer and said at least one rate senor, and a visual display unit in electrical communication with the detachable processing unit for displaying the data processed by the processing unit.

A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a detachable sole which is flexible, durable, electrically insulating, and resilient, a soft casing unit having a detachable sole cover, a detachable foot cover, a detachable shank cover, and a releasable securement means for releasably and adjustably securing the detachable sole cover, the detachable foot cover, and the detachable shank cover about said user's foot, a lower shank motion collection unit having at least one accelerometer sensor and a plurality of rate sensors to provide lower shank motion data, a detachable processing unit in electrical communication with the lower shank motion collection unit, said detachable processing unit being configured for processing said lower shank motion data from said at least one accelerometer sensor and said plurality of rate sensors, and a visual display unit in electrical communication with the detachable processing unit for displaying the data processed by the processing unit.

A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about the user's foot, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a detachable sole which is flexible, durable, electrically insulating, and resilient, a soft casing unit having a detachable sole cover, a detachable foot cover, a detachable shank over, and a releasable securement means for releasably and adjustably securing the detachable sole cover, the detachable foot cover, and the detachable shank cover about said user's foot, a lower shank motion collection unit having at least one accelerometer sensor and a plurality of rate sensors to provide lower shank motion data, a detachable processing unit in electrical communication within the lower shank motion collection unit, said detachable processing unit being configured for processing said lower shank motion data from said at least one accelerometer sensor and said plurality of rate sensors, which have been normalized by body weight calibration, and an LCD visual display unit in electrical communication with the detachable processing unit for displaying the data processed by the processing unit, and the information displayed comprising over-pronate, supinate, and neutral plantar pressure/distribution and the amount of eversion/inversion angle of the user's foot.

A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a detachable sole, a soft casing unit having a detachable sole cover, a detachable foot cover, a detachable shank cover, and a releasable securement means for releasably and adjustably securing the detachable sole cover, the detachable foot cover, and the detachable shank cover about said user's foot, a plantar pressure collection unit positioned between a plantar side of said user's foot and the detachable sole, said plantar pressure collection unit having four sensor resistors and pressure sensors along a first phalange, a second phalange, a third phalange, a fourth phalange in the forefoot, along a first metatarsal head, a second metatarsal head and a fourth metatarsal head in the forefoot, along a first metatarsal base, a fourth metatarsal base and a fifth metatarsal base in the midfoot, underneath a distal portion of a medial and lateral side of a calcaneus in the midfoot, and at the medial and lateral surfaces of a calcaneus in the rearfoot, to provide accurate measurement of maximum pressure, mean pressure, and the center of pressure line, a detachable processing unit in electrical communication with the plantar pressure collection unit, said detachable processing unit being configured for processing data from the plantar pressure collection unit, and a visual display unit in electrical communication with the detachable processing unit for displaying the data processed by the processing unit.

A portable human gait analysis apparatus for releasable securement about a user's foot, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a detachable sole which is flexible, durable, electrically insulating, and resilient, a soft casing unit having a detachable sole cover, a detachable foot cover, a detachable shank cover, and a releasable securement means for releasably and adjustably securing the detachable sole cover, the detachable foot cover, and the detachable shank cover about said user's foot, a plantar pressure collection unit positioned between a plantar side of said user's foot and the detachable sole, to identify the center of pressure line and excessive and abnormal loads on the sole of the foot, said plantar pressure collection unit having four sensor resistors and pressure sensors along a first phalange, a second phalange, a third phalange, a fourth phalange in the forefoot, along a first metatarsal head, a second metatarsal head and a fourth metatarsal head in the forefoot, along a first metatarsal base, a fourth metatarsal base and a fifth metatarsal base in the midfoot, underneath a distal portion of a medial and lateral side of a calcaneus in the midfoot, and at the medial and lateral surfaces of a calcaneus in the rearfoot, to provide accurate measurement of maximum pressure, mean pressure, and the center of pressure line, a detachable processing unit in electrical communication with the plantar pressure collection unit, said detachable processing unit being configured for processing data from said plantar pressure collection unit, and a visual display unit in electrical communication with the detachable processing unit for displaying the data processed by the processing unit.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/931,040Filed 17 Aug 2001 · us provisional application
Priority: 18 Aug 2000
Granted: 28 Dec 2004
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification21 codes

G06F 3/011
Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer: arrangements for interaction with the…
A43D 1/02
Foot or last measuring devices; Measuring devices for shoe parts: foot-measuring devices
A61B 5/1038
Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies: measuring plantar pressure during gait
A61B 5/112
Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb: gait analysis

Family

Application60/226,011Us provisional application · filed 18 Aug 2000
US 6,836,744 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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