A smart sensing platform for the classification of ambulatory patterns

Abstract

This paper describes an innovative sensing approach allowing capture, discrimination, and classification of transients automatically in gait. A walking platform is described, which offers an alternative design to that of standard force plates with advantages that include mechanical simplicity and less restriction on dimensions. The scope of the work is to investigate as an experiment the sensitivity of the distributive tactile sensing method with the potential to address flexibility on gait assessment, including patient targeting and the extension to a variety of ambulatory applications. Using infrared sensors to measure plate deflection, gait patterns are compared with stored templates using a pattern recognition algorithm. This information is input into a neural network to classify normal and affected walking events, with a classification accuracy of just under 90 per cent achieved. The system developed has potential applications in gait analysis and rehabilitation, whereby it can be used as a tool for early diagnosis of walking disorders or to determine changes between pre- and post-operative gait.

Quantifying sway through surface deflection patterns: A novel approach using distributive tactile sensing

“…With further development, and a suitable level of neural network training, it is felt that the instrument presented can provide a stable and accurate output for applications in the measurement of postural stability. In addition, it was shown in another study [15] that the same technology can be used for the classification of gait, demonstrating the flexibility of the DTS method in the field of gait and posture analysis.…”

“…In addition to determining static object properties, it has been demonstrated that DTS can also be applied to dynamic applications [14]. In particular, applied to a much larger scale, the method has been used to discriminate between walking patterns, allowing the classification of gait [15]. Intended for gait rehabilitation applications, this device could be applied as a prescreening tool for the detection of particular walking disorders.…”

A tactile sensing approach in stroke rehabilitation

“…It is applied readily where the goal is to identify or contrast as opposed to measure. Examples are surgical robotic tools, where tactile sensing is used to recognize invisible tissues and tissue structures ahead on the tool path by using the tissue as the coupling medium [15], endoscopes [16], catheters, earlier investigations on controlling robotic grippers for handling deforming mediums such as food and dough [17], discriminating cells [18] and in the discrimination of types of gait mentioned earlier [19]. In the latter three applications, the sensing medium has been an artefact, and often a flat plate to which low number of sensing elements have been deployed to enable robust sensing over the full extent of the deforming medium.…”