engleski

A System for Measuring Forces in the Legs and Crutches from Ambulatory Patients

A system for measuring force in both legs and crutches or cane during the patient walking is developed. The force in each leg is divided in three components. Following measured data during therapy, rehabilitation progress can be established. Besides pathological gait patterns depending on disease can be estimated. For vertical force measurement in the leg three capacitive sensors are developed. A special sensor based on infrared radiation changes is realized for force measurement in the crutches or cane. To extend patients free mobility, an infrared telemetry system is applied. This specially designed telemetry system with multiple receivers and intelligent summing unit makes possible free walking to the patient in the large room or in more rooms and staircase as well. All eight channels of measured data are presented in real time on the PC-monitor, where each force component can be displayed separately or in the sum. Afterwards an average of repeated gait cycles or their pectra can be calculated and shown on the monitor.

foot force measurement; force transducers; infrared telemetry; gait analysis; gait monitoring

nije evidentirano