I2I Phase 1a application: Ultra-flexible, self-healable and high density pressure sensor array for gait pressure mapping

这个I2I第一阶段项目的目标是将我们正在申请专利的柔性压力传感器设备扩大到高密度传感阵列，用于完整的步态压力映射，以吸引进一步的投资和可能的启动。准确和高精度的步态压力测绘和监测对于许多应用领域的运动性能分析至关重要，包括步态损伤、骨科、运动医学、跟踪和身体运动分析。步态压力与各种健康状况密切相关，偏离基线可以提供疾病或紊乱发病的重要迹象。目前的非可穿戴解决方案是准确的，但它们体积庞大，价格昂贵，需要大型专业实验室和训练师才能操作。可穿戴的智能鞋垫和压力传感器成本较低，但它们受到疾病诊断和治疗监测所需的灵活性、准确性和敏感度的影响。为了应对这些挑战和市场需求，我们的目标是利用我们正在申请专利的(US 16/534547，CA 3051372和US 17/005845，CA 3092219)超灵活和灵敏的压力传感器技术，能够准确地拟合和绘制步态压力分布。最近，我们开发了一种正在申请专利的压力传感器制造方法，该方法成本低，但精度高，具有可重复的传感能力。此外，我们传感器的自我修复功能使其成为颠覆性可穿戴健康监控技术的理想选择。为了将这项技术转移到行业就绪的平台并吸引投资，有两个主要目标(1)优化聚合物矩阵，以实现准确的步态压力传感所需的敏感度和一致性，(2)放大传感器阵列，展示能够绘制步态压力分布3D图的可行产品。这一新的传感器平台将在其他可穿戴压力传感系统中产生连锁反应，包括医疗保健、个人运动跟踪、步幅检测、导航和定位。

The goal of this I2I Phase I project is to scale up our patent pending flexible pressure sensor device to high-density sensing array for complete gait pressure mapping to attract further investment and possible start-up. Accurate and high precision gait pressure mapping and monitoring is critical for motor performanceanalysis in many applications including gait impairment, orthopedics, sports medicine, tracking and body motion analysis. Gait pressure is strongly associated with various health conditions and a deviation from the baseline could provide important indication of the onset of a disease or disorder. Current non-wearable solutions are accurate however they are bulky, expensive and requires large specialized lab and trainer to operate. Wearable smart in-sole and pressure sensors are less costly however they suffer from, flexibility, accuracy and sensitivity required for disorder diagnostics and treatment monitoring. To address these challenges and demand in the market, we aim to utilize our patent pending (US 16/534547, CA 3051372 andUS 17/005845, CA 3092219) ultra-flexible and sensitive pressure sensor technology that can conformably fit and map the gait pressure distribution. Recently we developed a patent pending pressure sensor manufacturing method that is cost-effective but accurate with repeatable sensing capability. Additionally, the self-healing capabilities of our sensor make it ideal for disruptive wearable health monitoring technology. To transfer this technology to an industry ready platform and attract investment there are two main objectives (1) optimize polymer matrix forthe sensitivity and conformability required for accurate gait pressure sensing, (2) scale-up sensor array to demonstrate a viable product capable of 3D mapping of gait pressure distribution. This new sensor platform will create a ripple effect in other wearable pressure sensing systems including heath care, personal motion tracking, step detection, navigation and localization.