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

该I2 I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展到高密度传感阵列，以完成步态压力映射，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映射和监测对于许多应用中的运动性能分析至关重要，包括步态障碍、矫形外科、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，并且偏离基线可以提供疾病或障碍发作的重要指示。目前的非穿戴式解决方案是准确的，但它们体积庞大，价格昂贵，需要大型专业实验室和培训师来操作。可穿戴智能鞋垫和压力传感器成本较低，但它们具有疾病诊断和治疗监测所需的灵活性、准确性和灵敏度。为了解决市场上的这些挑战和需求，我们的目标是利用我们正在申请的专利（US 16/534547，CA 3051372和US 17/005845，CA 3092219）超柔性和灵敏的压力传感器技术，该技术可以适形地拟合和映射步态压力分布。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，该方法具有成本效益，但具有可重复的传感能力。此外，我们的传感器的自我修复能力使其成为颠覆性可穿戴健康监测技术的理想选择。为了将该技术转移到工业就绪平台并吸引投资，有两个主要目标：（1）优化聚合物基质，以获得精确步态压力传感所需的灵敏度和一致性，（2）放大传感器阵列，以证明能够进行步态压力分布3D映射的可行产品。这个新的传感器平台将在其他可穿戴压力传感系统中产生涟漪反应，包括医疗保健、个人运动跟踪、步数检测、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.