Development of a portable device for gait analysis, and gait analysis on stairs and uneven terrain

Abstract

We developed a portable device for gait analysis that allows gait analysis in both prosthetic limb users and able-bodied subjects, and measures mechanical data in various walking scenarios such as on level ground, climbing and descending stairs or sloping ground, and walking on sand. The load cells are distributed on the forefoot and heel of the sole inside a shoe in this research. By bending only these parts and by connection through freely flexible plastic material, an angle sensor can be installed that can measure the bending angle. Furthermore, the weight direction for the posture of the heel can be measured with the installation of an inclination sensor, thus allowing motion analysis with this newly developed shoe of walking by non-amputees and walking by prosthesis users. In addition to the shoe, with the attachment of goniometer, the ankle joint angle and knee joint angle can be measured; thereby, a wearable sensor system has been developed that can measure the motion of the lower leg. Here, we report some results of motion experiments conducted with 20 able-bodied person subjects using the developed system. © 2010 International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering.