A two-dimensional imaging walkway for gait analysis

Abstract

A novel approach to implementing a clinical walkway for imaging foot placement with high resolution in two dimensions and in time over several steps is discussed. It uses a novel principle for sensing and data gathering through an array of magnetostrictive delay lines made of amorphous magnetic alloy. Foot/ground contact images are read by a computer in real time. Software has been developed for rapid analysis and presentation of spatial and temporal gait parameters, based on two-dimensional foot placement. The sensing array is simple and robust and it should be possible for reliable systems to be built at a low enough cost to be widely used in the clinical environment with minimal technical support. Progress has also been made towards achieving proportional pressure mapping by means of a similar structure.<>