Patent Publication Number: US-10765347-B2

Title: Gait analysis device and computer program product

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-238246, filed on Oct. 31, 2011; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     An embodiment described herein relates generally to a gait analysis device and a computer program product. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Devices that evaluate gait motion using various kinds of sensor devices have been developed for the purpose of observing the course of a disease, preventing falls, and the like. In medical practice, a subject is required to do an action (standing on one foot or the like) needing balance ability, and the subject&#39;s behavior is observed to determine a fall risk. 
     However, in the related art, measurement and estimation of a disease degree are performed under the assumption that the subject keeps walking, and so it is difficult to estimate a walking condition and a fall risk in a short time from a start of walking. In addition, the technique executed in the medical practice has a problem in that the subject has a risk and feels pressured since the subject is required to do an action needing balance ability. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a hardware configuration diagram of a gait analysis device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a mounting state of a gait analysis device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram illustrating a gait analysis device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a graph illustrating a relation among acceleration, a determination result, and an analysis target; 
         FIG. 5  is a graph illustrating an analysis example of a feature quantity calculation; 
         FIG. 6  is a table illustrating labels of three classes learned as a classification example; 
         FIG. 7  is a conceptual diagram illustrating an output example of an output unit; and 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a gait analysis device according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     According to an embodiment, a gait analysis device includes a measuring unit configured to measure a subject&#39;s motion; a determining unit configured to determine a walking start point in time at which the subject starts walking based on the subject&#39;s motion; a feature quantity calculator configured to, when the walking start point in time is determined, calculate a feature quantity of the subject&#39;s motion measured during a predetermined time period starting from the walking start point in time as a time period in which the subject&#39;s motion is not stabilized; and an estimating unit configured to estimate a subject&#39;s walking condition based on the feature quantity. 
     An embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a gait analysis device  1  according to the embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the gait analysis device  1  includes a main body unit  10  and a wearing unit  30 . 
     The main body unit  10  includes a control unit  12 , a storage unit  14 , an input unit  16 , an output unit  18 , a detecting unit  20 , and a communication unit  22 . The control unit  12  includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU)  120 , and controls respective components constituting the main body unit  10 . The storage unit  14  includes a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like, which are not illustrated in the drawing, and stores therein a program executed by the control unit  12 , data used for the control unit  12  to execute a program, and the like. Further, a storage medium  140  such as a memory card having a function of transmitting/receiving a program and data to/from the storage unit  14  is detachably attached to the main body unit  10 . 
     The input unit  16  includes, for example, an input key or a switch, and receives a user&#39;s input to the main body unit  10 . The output unit  18  includes, for example, a display unit  180  such as a liquid crystal panel, a speaker  182  that outputs a sound or the like, and a vibrator (not illustrated). The output unit  18  outputs a state of the main body unit  10  and a processing operation result of the main body unit  10  through at least one of a screen display, a sound, and vibration. The input unit  16  may be integrated with the display unit  180  through a touch panel. 
     The detecting unit  20  includes, for example, a tri-axial acceleration sensor having a sampling frequency of 128 Hz, and has an acceleration measurement range of, for example, ±6 G or more. For example, when the gait analysis device  1  is worn on a gait analysis subject, the detecting unit  20  detects acceleration in a vertical direction, acceleration in a moving direction of the subject, and acceleration in a horizontal direction (a left-right direction) almost orthogonal to the moving direction of the subject (acceleration in three directions). 
     The communication unit  22  includes a general-purpose interface that performs communication with the outside, and is configured to be connectable to, for example, any one of wired communication, long-distance wireless communication, and near field communication (NFC). 
     For example, the wearing unit  30  is configured with a belt or the like wound on the subject&#39;s waist, and for example, the main body unit  10  is worn near the subject&#39;s waist. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the gait analysis device  1  is worn near the subject&#39;s waist and directions of acceleration measured by the gait analysis device  1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , when worn near the subject&#39;s waist, the gait analysis device  1  detects acceleration in the vertical direction (a Y direction), acceleration in the moving direction of the subject (a Z direction), and acceleration in the horizontal direction (an X direction) almost orthogonal to the moving direction of the subject. 
     Next, a function of the gait analysis device  1  will be described.  FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a function of the gait analysis device  1 .  FIG. 4  is a graph illustrating acceleration data detected by the detecting unit  20 , a determination result of a determining unit  42  which will be described later, and an analysis target extracted by an extracting unit  44 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the gait analysis device  1  includes a measuring unit  40 , the determining unit  42 , the extracting unit  44 , an analyzing unit  46 , an estimating unit  48 , and the output unit  18 . The output unit  18  illustrated in  FIG. 3  corresponds to the output unit  18  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The measuring unit  40  detects the subject&#39;s motion. Specifically, the measuring unit  40  includes the detecting unit  20 , and detects, for example, acceleration in three directions which changes according the subject&#39;s motion and measures the subject&#39;s motion (acceleration). For example, when power of the main body unit  10  is turned on, the measuring unit  40  continuously measures acceleration in three directions which is used to output a result of estimating the subject&#39;s walking condition through the gait analysis device  1 . For example, all acceleration data measured by the measuring unit  40  is stored in the storage unit  14  ( FIG. 1 ) together with a time until no longer necessary. 
     The determining unit  42  determines whether or not the subject has started walking based on the measurement result of the measuring unit  40 . Specifically, the determining unit  42  first acquires acceleration data stored in the storage unit  14 , and calculates a variance of acceleration data measured by the measuring unit  40  at predetermined time intervals (at first time intervals a) within a predetermined time frame (a first setting time period A). For example, the determining unit  42  calculates a variance of acceleration data measured by the measuring unit  40  newly for 0.5 seconds (A=0.5 seconds) at intervals of 0.5 seconds (a=0.5 seconds) as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Here, when the sampling frequency of the detecting unit  20  is 128 Hz, the measuring unit  40  measures 64 pieces of acceleration data per direction within the first setting time period A (A=0.5 seconds). The first time interval “a” is preferably 0.5 seconds or less. The first setting time period A may be set to be longer than the first time interval “a”. 
     Next, when a time period in which the variance of the acceleration data is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (threshold value σ) lasts for a second setting time period B or more and then a time period in which the variance of the acceleration data is larger than the threshold value σ lasts for a third setting time period C or more, the determining unit  42  ( FIG. 3 ) determines, as a walking start point in time at which the subject has started walking, a point in time at which the variance of the acceleration data exceeds the threshold value σ (or alternatively, a point in time at which it is lastly determined that the variance of the acceleration data is equal to or less than the threshold value σ). For example, the threshold value σ is set to 0.04. Preferably, each of the second setting time period B and the third setting time period C has a value having a range of 2 seconds to 6 seconds. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when a time period in which the variance of the acceleration data is equal to or less than threshold value σ lasts for 6 seconds (the second setting time period B=6 seconds) or more and then a time period in which the variance of the acceleration data is larger than the threshold value σ lasts for 6 seconds (the third setting time period C=6 seconds) or more, the determining unit  42  retroactively determines, as the walking start point in time at which the subject has started walking, a point in time at which the variance of the acceleration data exceeds the threshold value σ (a start timing of the third setting time period C). In the example illustrated in  FIG. 4 , at 214 seconds (timed by the measuring unit  40 ), the determining unit  42  determines that the subject has started walking at 208 seconds. In this way, the determining unit  42  determines the walking start point in time, and determines whether or not the subject has started walking. Here, the determining unit  42  may be configured to calculate a standard deviation instead of a variance. 
     Here, when the determining unit  42  determines that the subject has started walking, the extracting unit  44  ( FIG. 3 ) extracts data set for analysis from the measurement result of the measuring unit  40 . Specifically, when the determining unit  42  determines that the subject has started walking, the extracting unit  44  extracts the acceleration data measured by the measuring unit  40  from acceleration data stored in the storage unit  14  during an extraction time period, that is, until a fourth setting time period D elapses from the walking start point in time. For example, the fourth setting time period D (the extraction time period) is set to 3 seconds. 
     In addition, the extracting unit  44  also extracts a plurality of pieces of acceleration data measured by the measuring unit  40  from the acceleration data stored in the storage unit  14  during a plurality of other extraction time periods obtained by sequentially delaying a start timing of the extraction time period from the walking start point in time by a predetermined time interval (a second time interval b). 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when the determining unit  42  determines that the subject has started walking, the extracting unit  44  extracts the acceleration data measured by the measuring unit  40  during a extraction time period D 1 , that is, until 3 seconds (the fourth setting time period D=3 seconds) elapse from the walking start point in time. Further, the extracting unit  44  extracts six sets of acceleration data measured by the measuring unit  40 . For example, during six other extraction time periods D 2  to D 7  obtained by sequentially delaying the start timing of the extraction time period from the walking start point in time by an interval of 0.5 seconds (the second time interval b=0.5). In the following, when there is no need to distinguish among the extraction time periods D 1  to D 7 , the extraction time periods D 1  to D 7  may be collectively referred to simply as an extraction time period D (or the fourth setting time period D). Then, the acceleration data extracted by the extracting unit  44  is corresponded to data set for analysis used in the analyzing unit  46 . 
     The analyzing unit  46  ( FIG. 3 ) includes a feature quantity calculating unit  460  and a variation value calculating unit  462 . The feature quantity calculating unit  460  calculates a feature quantity of acceleration data extracted by the extracting unit  44 . Specifically, the feature quantity calculating unit  460  receives the data during the period of analysis extracted by the extracting unit  44 , calculates, for example, an autocorrelation function of acceleration data in the vertical direction for each extraction time period D, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , and sets a first peak value (or a second peak value) as a maximum autocorrelation value. The feature quantity calculating unit  460  may be configured to filter the data sets to pass low frequency components in the data sets and then calculate the autocorrelation function. In  FIG. 5 , the extraction time period D is simply denoted by D, and the extraction time periods D 1  to D 7  are simply denoted by D 1  to D 7 , respectively. The feature quantity calculating unit  460  outputs, as the feature quantity of each extraction time period D, each calculated maximum autocorrelation value to the variation value calculating unit  462  and the estimating unit  48 . 
     The autocorrelation function calculated by the feature quantity calculating unit  460  has a value other than zero (0) when the acceleration data has periodicity, and has characteristics of which the value increases as the amplitude of acceleration data increases and noise decreases. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the maximum autocorrelation value in the extraction time period D 1  is smaller than each value in the extraction time periods D 2  to D 7 . In other words, the extraction time period D 1  is a transition state between a state (for example, a still state) in which the subject does not a dynamic motion and a state in which motion is stabilized. Therefore, in the extraction time period D 1 , the amplitude of acceleration data is considered to be small and the periodicity is considered to be low. 
     The feature quantity calculating unit  460  may be configured to calculate, as the feature quantity, left-right symmetry of the data sets for analysis extracted by the extracting unit  44  among the acceleration data in the left-right direction detected by the detecting unit  20 . For example, the feature quantity calculating unit  460  may calculate, as the feature quantity, a mean value of the acceleration data in the left-right direction (the X direction) detected by the detecting unit  20  in each extraction time period D. 
     The variation value calculating unit  462  ( FIG. 3 ) calculates a numerical value (a variation value) serving as an index of a variation in the maximum autocorrelation value of each the extraction time period D, which is calculated by the feature quantity calculating unit  460 . For example, the variation value calculating unit  462  calculates a variance or a standard deviation of the maximum autocorrelation value (see a variation illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) of each extraction time period D or a value using the sum of differences between the maximum autocorrelation value of the extraction time period D used as a reference and the maximum autocorrelation values of the other the extraction time periods D as the variation value. Here, when the subject&#39;s motion is stabilized, the variation in the maximum autocorrelation value is considered to decrease. 
     The variation value calculating unit  462  may be configured to calculate a variation value of the left-right symmetry of the analysis target extracted by the extracting unit  44  with respect to the acceleration in the left-right direction detected by the detecting unit  20 . For example, the variation value calculating unit  462  may calculate, as the variation value, a variance of the mean values of the acceleration data in the left-right direction (the X direction), which is calculated by the feature quantity calculating unit  460  in each extraction time period D. 
     Here, since a subject having excellent balance ability early enter a state of steady gate, in case of a subject having excellent balance ability, a variation in the feature quantity of each extraction time period D is considered to promptly decrease. 
     The estimating unit  48  receives the feature quantity calculated by the feature quantity calculating unit  460  and the variation value calculated by the variation value calculating unit  462 , and estimates the subject&#39;s walking condition using at least one of the received feature quantity and the variation value. 
     For example, the estimating unit  48  receives, as inputs, the maximum autocorrelation value of the extraction time period D 1  and the variance of the maximum autocorrelation values of the extraction time periods D 1  to D 7 , and classifies the subject&#39;s walking condition into three classes of “safe,” “careful (cautious),” and “high-risk” using a classifier. 
     For example, the estimating unit  48  uses an algorithm of a support vector machine (SVM) as the classifier. The SVM is a two-class pattern classification technique that performs non-linear classification by employing a kernel function. However, the estimating unit  48  implements three-class classification by using an extension method using a plurality of classifiers such as a one-against-one technique and a one-against-all technique for the purpose of multi-class classification. 
     For example, the estimating unit  48  classifies the subject&#39;s walking conditions into three classes illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Labels (class labels) of “safe”, “careful”, and “high-risk” are attached to the three classes, respectively. 
     Here, the label will be described in detail. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , for example, each label is associated with a score range representing balance ability. The score range associated with each label corresponds to a berg balance scale (BBS) score. The BBS refers to a balance test including 14 kinds of actions such as standing on one foot and turning, and assesses a balance ability of an evaluation subject with a score of 0 to 56 points (each of 14 kinds of actions is scored from 0 to 4). 
     The estimating unit  48  is trained based on previously measured data prospectively. In advance, a feature quantity and a variation of acceleration data during gait of subjects including persons with relatively high risk of fall and persons with high balance ability are prepared as training data. The scores using the BBS for the same subjects are measured in advance. The estimating unit  48  is trained to associate the feature quantity and the variation value with a score range representing a walking condition. 
     In other words, the estimating unit  48  performs learning a relation between the three labels to classify a walking condition and the feature quantity and the variation value in advance, and classifies (estimates) the subject&#39;s walking condition based on the feature quantity and the variation value of the subject whose walking condition is newly analyzed. 
     The estimating unit  48  may be configured to estimate the subject&#39;s walking condion using at least one of the feature quantity and the variation value. The estimating unit  48  may be configured to estimate the walking condition by simply setting a threshold value to the feature quantity and the variation value without using a learning algorithm. The estimating unit  48  may use a neural network as another algorithm or may be configured to perform dimensional compression using a self-organizing map, kernel principal component analysis (kernel PCA), or the like and then execute a pattern recognition algorithm. 
     The output unit  18  ( FIG. 3 ) receives and outputs the estimation result of the estimating unit  48 .  FIG. 7  is a conceptual diagram illustrating an output example of the output unit  18 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the output unit  18  outputs the label representing the estimation result of the estimating unit  48  through a signal such as an image on a display or a sound. The output unit  18  may be configured to output at least one of the calculation result of the analyzing unit  46  and the estimation result of the estimating unit  48 . 
     Next, an operation of the gait analysis device  1  will be described.  FIG. 8  is a flowchart of an operation when the gait analysis device  1  according to an embodiment executes a program corresponding to the function illustrated in  FIG. 3 . For example, the gait analysis device  1  is powered on in a state (for example, a rest state) in which a subject does not make a dynamic behavior such as walking and then starts gait analysis. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , in step S 100 , for example, when the gait analysis device  1  is powered on, the detecting unit  20  starts to detect the subject&#39;s acceleration. 
     In step S 102 , the determining unit  42  determines whether or not the first time interval “a” (that is interval “a” in  FIG. 4 ) has elapsed. Here, when the determining unit  42  determines that the first time interval “a” has elapsed (Yes in step S 102 ), the process proceeds to step S 104 . However, when it is determined that the first time interval “a” has not elapsed (No in step S 102 ), the process of step S 102  is continuously performed. 
     In step S 104 , the determining unit  42  calculates a variance of acceleration data measured by the measuring unit  40 , for example, within the first setting time period A. 
     In step S 106 , the determining unit  42  determines whether or not the variance of the acceleration data calculated in the process of step S 104  is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (threshold value σ). Here, when the determining unit  42  determines that the variance of the acceleration data is equal to or less than the threshold value σ (Yes in step S 106 ), the process to proceed to step S 108 . However, when it is determined that the variance of the acceleration data is larger than the threshold value σ (No in step S 106 ), the process proceeds to step S 112 . Alternatively, the process may proceed to step S 102  and then continued. 
     In step S 108 , the determining unit  42  determines whether or not a time period in which the variance of the acceleration data is equal to or less than the threshold value σ lasts for a second setting time period B or more. Here, when the determining unit  42  determines that the time period in which the variance of the acceleration data is equal to or less than the threshold value σ lasts for the second setting time period B or more (Yes in step S 108 ), the process proceeds to step S 110 . However, when it is determined that the time period in which the variance of the acceleration data is equal to or less than the threshold value σ does not last for the second setting time period B or more (No in step S 108 ), the process proceeds to step S 102 . 
     In step S 110 , the determining unit  42  determines whether or not the variance of the acceleration data is larger than the threshold value σ. Here, when the determining unit  42  determines that the variance of the acceleration data is larger than the threshold value σ (Yes in step S 110 ), the process proceeds to step S 112 . However, when it is determined that the variance of the acceleration data is equal to or less than the threshold value σ (No in step S 110 ), the process proceeds to step S 102 . 
     In step S 112 , the determining unit  42  determines whether or not a time period in which the variance of the acceleration data is larger than threshold value σ lasts for a third setting time period C or more. Here, when the determining unit  42  determines that the time period in which the variance of the acceleration data is larger than threshold value σ lasts for the third setting time period C or more (Yes in step S 112 ), the process proceeds to step S 114 . However, when the determining unit  42  determines that the time period in which the variance of the acceleration data is larger than threshold value σ does not last for the third setting time period C or more (No in step S 112 ), the process proceeds to step S 102 . 
     In step S 114 , the determining unit  42  determines a walking start point in time. 
     In step S 116 , the extracting unit  44  receives the determination result of the determining unit  42  and extracts an analysis target. 
     In step S 118 , the feature quantity calculating unit  460  receives the data set for analysis extracted by the extracting unit  44  and calculates a feature quantity. 
     In step S 120 , the variation value calculating unit  462  receives the feature quantity calculated by the feature quantity calculating unit  460 , and calculates a variation value. 
     In step S 122 , the estimating unit  48  receives at least one of the feature quantities calculated by the feature quantity calculating unit  460  and the variation value calculated by the variation value calculating unit  462 , and then estimates the subject&#39;s walking condition. 
     In step S 124 , the output unit  18  outputs the estimation result calculated by the estimating unit  48 . 
     Meanwhile, the gait analysis device  1  may be configured to estimate the subject&#39;s walking condition using all acceleration in three directions detected by the detecting unit  20  (or using an arbitrary combination of acceleration in three directions) or may be configured to estimate the subject&#39;s walking condition using at least one of the feature quantity and the variation value calculated based on acceleration data in one direction. The above-described embodiment has been described in connection with the example in which the feature quantity calculated by the feature quantity calculating unit  460  is distinguished from the variation value calculated by the variation value calculating unit  462 . However, the gait analysis device  1  may be configured to estimate the subject&#39;s walking condition by regarding the variation value calculated by the variation value calculating unit  462  as one of feature quantities. In other words, the gait analysis device  1  may be configured to estimate the subject&#39;s walking condition by regarding all values calculated by the analyzing unit  46  as feature quantities corresponding to the subject&#39;s motion. 
     Further, in the gait analysis device  1 , when the subject&#39;s walking condition is estimated based on the acceleration data of the extraction time period D 1 , the same time period (3 seconds in the example illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) as the extraction time period D 1  is set as an initial time period in which the subject&#39;s motion is not stabilized. Further, when the subject&#39;s walking condition is estimated based on the acceleration data of the extraction time periods D 1  to D 7 . The extraction time period is a time period (6 seconds in the example illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) between the walking start point in time and the end point of the extraction time period D 7  and is set as a time period in which the subject&#39;s motion is not stabilized firstly. 
     The gait analysis device  1  is not limited to the configuration described in the above-described embodiment. For example, the gait analysis device  1  may be configured such that the main body unit  10  includes the detecting unit  20  (or the measuring unit  40 ) and the communication unit  22 , and a personal computer (PC) or the like connected to the main body unit  10  via a network includes the determining unit  42 , the extracting unit  44 , the analyzing unit  46 , the estimating unit  48 , and the output unit  18 . 
     The main body unit  10  may be attached directly on the subject&#39;s body with the wearing unit  30 , and may be attached with an adhesive member or may be mounted to a backpack or the like. 
     The program executed by the gait analysis device  1  of the present embodiment is configured to include modules for implementing the above-described components (the determining unit  42 , the extracting unit  44 , the analyzing unit  46 , and the estimating unit  48 ). 
     According to the above-described embodiment, even though a single sensor is used, since a walking condition is estimated based on a feature quantity when a subject starts walking, the subject&#39;s walking condition can be estimated in a short period of time. In addition, according to the embodiment, a fall risk can be estimated even though the subject does not do a complicated action with a high risk and a heavy burden. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.