Developing a pressure sensing sensorized sock based on piezoelectric pressure sensors, for performing gait analysis

Meide, Jonah van der (2023) Developing a pressure sensing sensorized sock based on piezoelectric pressure sensors, for performing gait analysis. Research Project, Industrial Engineering and Management.

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Abstract

In this research paper a sensorized sock prototype is developed for measuring gait parameters to indicate the disease Ataxia for patients. Ataxia is a degenerative dis- ease where, due to the cerebellum losing its function, the patient has trouble walking. The sock developed in this research is based on piezoelectric sensors generating a voltage when being compressed. Here we show a prototype sensorized sock that is capable of measuring gait parameters, accompanied by an algorithm that can also give a preliminary Ataxia indication. Thin piezoelectric sensors based on a PVDF- TPU substrate were developed, during the research multiple iterations were used to optimize the design of the sensors. Sensors with a substrate of a higher thickness showed a more linear output, while the sensitivity compared to sensors with thinner substrates remained similar. The output for sensors with a high thickness was linear for at least the range from 60N to 180N. The sensitivity of sensors with interdigitated electrodes was approximately 0,052 Volts/Newton, while the sensitivity of sensors with normal electrodes was measured to be 0,031 Volts/Newton, this means the sensitivity of the interdigitated electrode sensors was 1,7 times higher compared to normal electrodes. The sensors showed good reliability for 1000 cycles of compres- sion testing. It became apparent during testing of the prototypes that the sensors are prone to breaking under the force/friction generated by walking. Furthermore, it

Item Type:	Thesis (Research Project)
Supervisor name:	Kottapalli, A.G.P.
Degree programme:	Industrial Engineering and Management
Thesis type:	Research Project
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	08 Jun 2023 13:12
Last Modified:	08 Jun 2023 13:12
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/29990

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