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 足部和腿部病变对优化优秀运动员的表现。他们的大部分客户 出现足底筋膜炎(PF)，这是一种影响足底下表面筋膜的退行性疾病 那只脚。尽管PF的发病率很高，但这种情况的原因尚不清楚。然而， 这在长期负重的职业中尤其常见。因此，能够 客观和准确地量化工作场所的承重活动将为KINTEC和其他人提供 为怀疑患有肺泡炎的人提供重要的诊断信息。尽管有几项活动 目前市场上的追踪器区分被动活动的能力有限(即区分 这个项目的主要目标是开发和表征一种低成本的鞋垫， 能够在标准的12小时轮班中区分坐着、站着和走路的活动 只有在足底压力的情况下。为了实现主要目标，必须有若干次要目标 完成；1)确定区分站立、坐着和行走的足部接触参数；2) 设计力传感器模式，以最好地捕捉和区分这些活动，3)构建工作 鞋垫原型，以及4)评估鞋垫区分站立、坐和 以健康的个体行走。为了完成这项工作，我们将结合使用实验室实验、原型 与健康志愿者一起开发和测试。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，减少伤害和 改善PF患者的生活质量，特别是要求长期站立的工人 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.