Shoe-integrated sensor system for wireless gait analysis and real-time feedback

We are developing a sensor system for use in clinical gait analysis. This research involves the development of an on-shoe device that can be used for continuous and real-time monitoring of gait. This paper presents the design of an instrumented insole and a removable instrumented shoe attachment. Transmission of the data is in real-time and wireless, providing information about the three-dimensional motion, position, and pressure distribution of the foot. Using pattern recognition and numerical analysis of the calibrated sensor outputs, algorithms will be developed to analyze the data in real-time. Results will be validated by comparison to results from a commerical optical gait analysis system at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Biomoti on Lab.