A Time-Discrete Haptic Feedback System for Use by Persons with Lower-Limb Prostheses During Gait

Gabe Kaplan, Troy McDaniel, James Abbas, Ramin Tadayon, Sethuraman Panchanathan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Persons with lower-limb amputations experience limited tactile knowledge of their prostheses due to the loss of sensory function from their limb. This sensory deficiency has been shown to contribute to improper gait kinematics and impaired balance. A novel haptic feedback system has been developed to address this problem by providing the user with center of pressure information in real-time. Five piezoresistive force sensors were adhered to an insole corresponding to critical contact points of the foot. A microcontroller used force data from the insole to calculate the center of pressure, and drive four vibrotactile pancake motors worn in a neoprene sleeve on the medial thigh. Center of pressure information was mapped spatially from the plantar surface of the foot to the medial thigh. Human perceptual testing was conducted to determine the efficacy of the proposed haptic display in conveying gait information to the user. Thirteen able-bodied subjects wearing the haptic sleeve were able to identify differences in the speed of step patterns and to classify full or partial patterns with (92.3 ± 2.6)% and (94.9 ± 2.1)% accuracy respectively. The results suggest that the system was effective in communicating center of pressure information through vibrotactile feedback.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationUniversal Access in Human-Computer Interaction. Multimodality and Assistive Environments - 13th International Conference, UAHCI 2019, Held as Part of the 21st HCI International Conference, HCII 2019, Proceedings
EditorsMargherita Antona, Constantine Stephanidis
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages250-261
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)9783030235628
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Event13th International Conference on Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction, UAHCI 2019, held as part of the 21st International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCI International 2019 - Orlando, United States
Duration: Jul 26 2019Jul 31 2019

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume11573 LNCS

Conference

Conference13th International Conference on Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction, UAHCI 2019, held as part of the 21st International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCI International 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period7/26/197/31/19

Keywords

  • Haptic feedback
  • Lower-limb rehabilitation
  • Prosthesis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • General Computer Science

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