Optimization of Baropodometric Device Instrumentation

¹ FEMTO-ST Institute - Department of Applied Mechanics, University of Franche-Comte, 25 000 Besancon, France
² Laboratory of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Franche-Comte, 25 000 Besancon, France

Corresponding author: fany.chedevergne@univ-fcomte.fr

Received: 20 December 2009
Accepted: 15 February 2010

Abstract

This article presents the development of a baropodometric device. The aim is to record foot-to-ground force during natural gait. The device consists of an instrumented shoe equipped with force sensors wired to a backpack laptop. The instrumentation should be light, efficient, easy to use for clinical staff and adapted to fit most patients' gait. Thus, we looked to optimize sensor location under the foot and sensor dimensions inside the sole. Numerical simulation and tensile tests lead us to conceive CuBe2 tubular-shaped sensors and specifically-shaped contact aluminum plates. We chose weight/efficiency optimal acquisition system. And we developed a whole treatment process and following graph visualization, optimized over time running and easiness of results reading. Then, we realized dynamic calibration and dead loads weighting to validate our conception. Finally, clinical testing is performed. The gait of the four healthy subjects is presented through the innovating graph visualization.