Wireless accelerometer system for quantifying gait

Following neurological trauma the evaluation of locomotion characteristics and quality are integral aspects for the proper allocation of therapy dosage and evolution of therapy strategy. With a suitable system for quantifying gait characteristics, strain on limited medical resources may be alleviated. Present standard devices for gait quantification incorporate optical sensors, EMG, electrogoniometers, ground reaction force sensors, footswitch stride analyzers, and metabolic energy expenditure devices. The present standard devices for gait quantification have inherent limitations. These devices are generally confined to a clinical environment, such as a gait evaluation laboratory. There are spatial constraints, line of sight requirements, and specialization issues for the operation of the present gait quantification systems. An alternative solution for quantitatively evaluating gait involves the incorporation of wireless 3D MEMS accelerometers. Wireless 3D MEMS accelerometers are attributed as light weight with minimal intrusion on the gait cycle. An expansion of autonomy is possible with wireless 3D MEMS accelerometers for gait quantification, as the system can be applied to real world conditions, such as a home based setting, beyond the confines of a laboratory environment. Specialization issues are reduced by positioning the wireless 3D MEMS accelerometers to a standard and readily identifiable anatomical anchor. Initial test and evaluation of the wireless 3D MEMS accelerometer system is conducted in a home based setting.