Inertial Measuring System to Evaluate Gait Parameters and Dynamic Alignments for Lower-Limb Amputation Subjects

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Wearable Technology

Background:

• Objective gait analysis is crucial for evaluating prosthesis effectiveness in amputee rehabilitation.
• Existing motion capture systems can be cumbersome and limit natural movement during gait analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel inertial measuring system for objective gait analysis in prosthesis-wearing amputees.
• To assess the system's accuracy in estimating kinematic parameters and gait characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Implemented a system with seven wireless inertial sensors on lower limbs for amputees.
• Utilized the Madgwick algorithm for angular velocity correction and quaternion conversion.
• Applied the zero-velocity update method for trajectory reconstruction and visualized motion using stickman animation.
• Validated the system against an optical motion capture system.

Main Results:

• The inertial system demonstrated accurate and precise estimation of joint angles and gait parameters.
• The system successfully captured kinematic data for five amputee participants (2 above-knee, 3 below-knee).
• Comparison with optical motion capture confirmed the system's validity for gait analysis.

Conclusions:

• The developed wireless inertial sensor system is feasible for accurate gait analysis in amputees.
• Simple algorithms can effectively provide precise joint angle and gait parameter estimations.
• This technology offers a practical tool for objective assessment of prosthesis use and gait characteristics.