Modular gait-synchronized biofeedback system
This technology is a cost-effective system for gait analysis that uses modular trackers and machine learning to provide sensory feedback synchronized with body motion.
Unmet Need: Timed vibratory stimulus therapy for movement disorders
Vibratory stimuli may exert therapeutic efficacy for movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Currently, there are no available technologies able to provide timed muscle vibrations synchronized to an individual’s gait cycle. Additionally, current motion capture and gait analysis systems are costly, require extensive data processing, and are incapable of providing vibratory feedback to the user.
The Technology: Affordable, gait-synchronized vibratory feedback therapy
This technology describes an inertial measurement unit-based (IMU) system that incorporates artificial neural networks to provide gait-synchronized vibrations and biofeedback to treat movement disorders. The hardware operates wirelessly, allowing the user to freely move while the machine learning algorithm reduces data processing and allows accurate gait tracking in real-time. Overall, this technology has the potential to improve motor control in movement disorders, especially in patients experiencing frequent freezing of gait episodes.
This technology has been validated in healthy volunteers and patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Applications:
- Vibratory therapy for movement disorders
- Research tool for studying gait and mechanosensation
- Biofeedback system for motor rehabilitation
- Real-time motion tracking for sports medicine
- Motion tracking for nonhuman applications
Advantages:
- Wireless system allows for ease of movement
- Machine learning algorithm improves speed and accuracy of gait tracking
- Modular design is cost-effective
Lead Inventor:
Patent Information:
Related Publications:
Tech Ventures Reference:
IR CU22005
Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu