Developing a low-cost instrumented insole to track and differentiate load bearing activities in the workplace.

Kintec Footlabs设计和制造一系列定制矫形器。他们的目标从治疗 足部和下肢病变，以优化优秀运动员的表现。他们的大部分客户 患有足底筋膜炎（PF），这是一种影响足底筋膜下表面的退行性疾病， 足尽管PF的显着患病率的条件的原因知之甚少。然而，在这方面， 这在长时间负重的职业中特别常见。因此，能够 客观准确地量化工作场所的承重活动将为Kintec和其他公司提供 对于怀疑患有PF的人来说，这是一个重要的诊断信息。 它们区分被动活动（即区分 从坐着开始）该项目的主要目标是开发和表征一种低成本鞋垫， 能够在标准的12小时轮班工作中区分坐、站和行走活动， 只有足底压力。为了实现首要目标，必须实现若干次要目标。 完成; 1）确定区分站立、坐下和行走的足部接触参数，2） 设计一个力传感器模式，最好地捕捉和区分这些活动，3）构建工作 原型鞋垫，以及4）评估鞋垫区分站立、坐姿和坐姿的预测能力。 在健康的人身上行走。为了完成这项工作，我们将使用实验室实验，原型 在健康志愿者中进行开发和测试。这项工作对加拿大的好处是双重的，支持 加拿大一家公司开发新产品，提高性能，减少伤害， 改善PF患者的生活质量，特别是需要长时间站立的工人， 时间，如护士，教师和工厂工人。

Kintec Footlabs designs and manufactures a range of custom orthotics. Their objectives range from treating foot and lower limb pathologies to optimizing performance in elite athletes. A large portion of their clients present with plantar fasciitis (PF), a degenerative condition affecting the plantar fascia on the inferior surface of the foot. Despite the significant prevalence of PF the causes of the condition are poorly understood. However, it is particularly common in occupations with prolonged periods of weight-bearing. Therefore being able to objectively and accurately quantify load bearing activities in the work place would provide Kintec and others important diagnostic information for people suspected of having PF. Although there are several activity trackers currently on the market they have limited ability to differentiate passive activities (i.e. differentiating standing from sitting) The primary objective of this project is to develop and characterize a low cost insole that is capable of differentiating sitting, standing and walking activities over a standard 12 hour work shift based only on plantar pressure. To achieve the primary objective, a number of secondary objectives must be completed; 1) to determine the foot contact parameters that differentiate standing, sitting and walking, 2) to design a force sensor pattern that best captures and differentiates these activities, 3) to construct working prototype insoles, and 4) to assess the predictive ability of the insole to differentiate standing, sitting and walking in healthy individuals. To complete this work we will use a combination of lab experiments, prototype development and testing with healthy volunteers. The benefit to Canada of this work is two-fold, supporting the development of novel products at a Canadian company and improving performance, reducing injury and improving quality of life for people with PF, especially for workers required to stand for prolonged periods of time such as nurses, teachers, and factory workers.