Design development and evaluation of a local sensor-based gait phase recognition system using a logistic model decision tree for orthosis-control

摘要

BackgroundFunctionality and versatility of microprocessor-controlled stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthoses (M-SCKAFO) are dictated by their embedded control systems. Proper gait phase recognition (GPR) is required to enable these devices to provide sufficient knee-control at the appropriate time, thereby reducing the incidence of knee-collapse and fall events. Ideally, the M-SCKAFO sensor system would be local to the thigh and knee, to facilitate innovative orthosis designs that allow more flexibility for ankle joint selection and other orthosis components. We hypothesized that machine learning with local sensor signals from the thigh and knee could effectively distinguish gait phases across different walking conditions (i.e., surface levels, walking speeds) and that performance would improve with gait phase transition criteria (i.e., current states depend on previous states).