Method and System for Monitoring Terrain and Gait and Predicting Upcoming Terrain

Synopsis

Patent US 10,524,699 B2 describes a method and system for monitoring terrain and gait, with the capability to predict upcoming terrain. This invention is particularly relevant for improving the functionality and safety of prosthetic devices, especially those for lower limbs, by enabling them to adapt to different ground conditions in real-time.
The novel aspects of this invention lie in its sophisticated data acquisition, analysis, and predictive capabilities. The system employs one or more sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, force sensors) affixed to a prosthetic limb or the user's body to collect data related to gait characteristics and terrain interaction. This raw sensor data is then processed to extract features that are indicative of specific terrain types (e.g., level walking, ascending/descending stairs, ramps) and the user's gait patterns on that terrain. The critical innovation is the use of a predictive algorithm that analyzes these features to anticipate the upcoming terrain. This allows the prosthetic device to pre-emptively adjust its parameters (e.g., stiffness, damping, joint angles) to optimize performance for the anticipated conditions before the user even fully transitions onto the new surface.
This proactive adaptation is a significant improvement over reactive systems, which can lead to instability, falls, and discomfort for prosthetic users. By predicting upcoming terrain, the system enhances the fluidity of movement, reduces cognitive load on the user, and significantly improves safety and stability during ambulation across varied environments. The system's ability to correlate gait patterns with terrain changes, and then use this correlation to make predictions, provides a robust and intelligent control mechanism for prosthetic limbs.
The commercial potential of this invention is substantial within the prosthetics and rehabilitation industries, as it directly addresses critical limitations of current prosthetic technology.

Possible applications include:
Advanced Prosthetic Limbs: This technology could be integrated into next-generation lower-limb prosthetics (e.g., knees, ankles, feet) to provide unprecedented levels of adaptability, stability, and natural movement for amputees, significantly improving their quality of life and mobility.
Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy: The system could be used as a diagnostic and training tool in rehabilitation settings, allowing therapists to monitor patient progress, identify problematic gait patterns on different terrains, and tailor interventions.
Assistive Devices for the Elderly or Balance-Impaired: Beyond prosthetics, the terrain and gait monitoring capabilities could be adapted for smart shoes or wearable devices designed to assist the elderly or individuals with balance disorders, helping to prevent falls.
Human Performance Enhancement: In sports or occupational settings, the system could provide real-time feedback on gait efficiency and terrain interaction for athletes or workers operating in dynamic environments, potentially reducing injury risk and optimizing performance.
Robotics and Exoskeletons: The principles of terrain and gait prediction could be applied to robotic locomotion, bipedal robots, or powered exoskeletons, enabling them to navigate complex and varied environments more autonomously and safely.

This invention offers a compelling solution for developing more intelligent, adaptive, and user-centric prosthetic and assistive devices, providing a strong value proposition to potential licensees in the medical device, rehabilitation, and assistive technology markets.