Straub Louis F, Pott Peter P
9149 Institute of Medical Device Technology, Universität Stuttgart , Stuttgart, Germany.
Biomed Tech (Berl). 2025 May 23. doi: 10.1515/bmt-2024-0453.
The objective of this study was to develop and characterize a novel low-cost, flexible sensor system for ground reaction force (GRF) measurements for biomedical applications. The system aims to provide GRF measurements across customizable areas up to 2 m, suitable for integration into various medical and rehabilitation devices.
The sensor system was constructed using multiple discrete resistive sensor modules. Each module had a quadratic shape and an edge length of 7.5 cm. The system utilized ESD packing-foam as resistive sensing material and conductive textile as electrodes. Measurements were conducted using an Arduino Nano microcontroller, a Wheatstone bridge circuit and analogue multiplexers. A demonstrator, integrating the sensor modules in a sports mat was built to show the functionality.
The proposed system was capable of measuring forces up to 330 N. The sensor modules have an exponential force-resistance characteristic curve and showed inter-module and inter-day variability in the range of commercially available sensor systems' accuracy. The demonstrator enabled to visualize changes in weight distribution on its surface.
The developed sensor system offers a reliable, flexible, and low-cost solution for GRF analysis in biomedical applications, providing data e.g. for rehabilitation feedback.
本研究的目的是开发并表征一种新型低成本、柔性传感器系统，用于生物医学应用中的地面反作用力（GRF）测量。该系统旨在提供高达2米的可定制区域内的GRF测量，适用于集成到各种医疗和康复设备中。
传感器系统由多个离散的电阻式传感器模块构建而成。每个模块呈方形，边长为7.5厘米。该系统采用静电放电包装泡沫作为电阻传感材料，导电织物作为电极。使用Arduino Nano微控制器、惠斯通电桥电路和模拟多路复用器进行测量。构建了一个将传感器模块集成到运动垫中的演示装置来展示其功能。
所提出的系统能够测量高达330牛的力。传感器模块具有指数力-电阻特性曲线，并且在模块间和不同日期显示出与市售传感器系统精度范围内的变化。该演示装置能够可视化其表面重量分布的变化。
所开发的传感器系统为生物医学应用中的GRF分析提供了一种可靠、灵活且低成本的解决方案，可提供例如用于康复反馈的数据。
