LOW COST ELECTRONIC ORTHOPAEDIC INSOLE FOR GAIT ANALYSIS BASED ON FORCE SENSITIVE CAPACITIVE SENSOR

摘要

A low cost electronic orthopedic insole based on force sensing capacitive sensor is presented here which is adopted to be used in compliance with electro-goniometer and electromyography for Gait analysis. The system is complexly modular can work independently either with insole only or electro-goniometer or electromyography, it includes an orthopedic insole for use in a shoe worn by a subject while walking as part of a process of collecting gait data. The insole has pressure sensing capacitive sensors distributed to define a sensing aperture, and each sensor provides a digital output based on the force applied over it. The other sensors are Gonio sensors placed over the joint axis to measure angular kinematics. The Gonio sensors are simple analog potentiometer that provide output signal depending on the angle of body segments. EMG sensors are coupled with a high gain and high common mode rejection ration filter and then microcontroller. The data acquisition unit is communicatively coupled with all the sensors modules. It includes a portable telemetry transmitter worn by the subject. The transmitter is connected to the sensors to receive the sensor output signals, and transmits a radio signal carrying the sensor information. A stationary receiver receives the sensor information in a transmission from the transmitter, and provides the sensor information to a personal computer. The data acquisition system also includes a memory chip to receive data for offline analysis in outside of the lab or elsewhere.