Methods and apparatuses for measuring pressure points
Pressure sensing methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting and monitoring pressure in selectable areas of interest include a sensing system to determine in-sole foot pressure of a user in sports training and monitoring applications.
1 . A sensing system, comprising:
a transducer to continually measure pressure of each of a plurality of points in an area of interest, the transducer including:
a compressible layer, and
first and second flexible conductive layers, between which the compressible layer is disposed;
a transmitting/receiving device disposed proximate to the transducer to wirelessly transmit the measured data.
2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein each first and second layer includes an electrode grid.
3 . The system according to claim 2 , further including:
a selector to turn on and off selected points of the electrode grid to variably measure the pressure from the selected points of the area of interest.
4 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of points of interest comprise a plurality of parts of a foot selected from the group consisting of a forefoot area, a midfoot area, and a hindfoot area.
5 . The system according to claim 4 , wherein said group further comprises one or more of a plurality of phalanges, one or more of a plurality of metatarsals, one or more of a plurality of phalangeal joints, a ball of said foot, one or more of a plurality of tarsal bones forming an arch of said foot, a plantar fascia, a talus, calcaneus, and a subtalar joint.
6 . The system according to claim 3 , wherein the selector turns on and off the selected points of the electrode grid dynamically in real-time.
7 . The system according to claim 1 , further including:
a data compressor to compress the measured data before transmitting.
8 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the transducer is embedded in a shoe sole.
9 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the compressible material comprises a compressible conductive foam.
10 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the compressible conductive foam comprises a material suitable for electrostatic discharge (ESD).
11 . The system according to claim 1 , further including:
a host computer to wirelessly receive the transmitted data and output the received data in a user readable format.
12 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising an electronic game coupled to receive the measured data and adapt said game accordingly.
13 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising diagnostic means for interpreting the measured data and recommending changes to said pressure points.
14 . The system according to claim 13 , further comprising an orthotic to make said recommended changes.
15 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising tracking means for interpreting the measured data and recommending changes to a training program.