Patent ID: 8702567
Filing Date: 2014-04-22
Classification: A61H,A63B

Abstract:
1. A system for improving movement in a subject, the system comprising: an assistive walking device comprising a frame extending up from a walking surface, the frame configured to support the subject moving by foot across the walking surface; a first distance sensor attached to the frame of the assistive walking device, the distance sensor comprising a range of detection extending along a first straight line running from the frame across the walking surface a constant distance above the walking surface, the distance sensor configured to detect an object crossing into the first line within the range of detection and to determine a distance from that object to the distance sensor; and a processing unit attached to the assistive walking device, communicating with the first distance sensor, receiving data from the first distance sensor indicating the object crossing into the first line and the distance from the object to the distance sensor and using the data to determine characteristics of a gait the subject, the characteristics comprising stride length along the walking surface and lateral variability of the gait along the first straight line.