Intelligent Wearable System for Enhanced Personalized Gait Rehabilitation

Project Information

GaitREHub

Grant agreement ID: 101086348

DOI

10.3030/101086348

EC signature date 5 October 2022

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 31 December 2026

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 915 400,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERZITET U NOVOM SADU
Serbia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GaitREHub (Intelligent Wearable System for Enhanced Personalized Gait Rehabilitation)

Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The GaitREHub project wants to provide an innovative solution - an Interactive Smart Wearable System for Personalized Gait Rehabilitation, by developing an interactive tool for rehabilitation at home with real-time tele-monitoring from the clinic. This system enables gait training for neurologically injured patients and any other patient in need of gait rehabilitation, in their own homes. Our solutions allow patients to practice walking, have their performance and improvement monitored in real-time by professionals, and reduce the costs associated with traditional clinical treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of many health systems in the EU and globally, and the dire need for their digital transformation, including remote connections between healthcare workers and remote patient-monitoring technologies. This project contributes significantly to supporting this increasingly important transformation, ultimately contributing to the UN’s SDG 3 (Good health and Well-being). Given the widespread adoption of and adaptation to online forms of working due to the Covid-19 pandemic, providing online support for gait training represents a natural next step in providing rehabilitation for mobility impaired patients. This matters especially to vulnerable patients for whom direct contact or hospital visits might represent a real risk.
The overall objective of this project proposal is to create an international and inter-sectoral network of leading organisations working on a joint research programme in the domains of computational modelling, 3D printing, smart wearable sensors, electronics, robotics and software expert systems.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Activities performed in RP1, are described below, per work packages.

WP1: Computational modelling, fabrication and mechanical testing of innovative insole designs
Task 1.1: Two designs of insoles have been analysed using computational modelling. Two infill patterns for internal structure of insole were modelled. Comprehensive finite element analysis on both foot and flat insole models utilizing ANSYS software was conducted.
Task 1.2: Prototypes of flat smart insole has been printed and embedded with the force sensors.
Task 1.3: Various specimens for infill patterns and densities modulation were mechanically tested. Maximum compression load of test specimens was analyzed.


WP2: Developing customized wearable sensors and embedded flexible electronics
Task 2.1: Force sensing resistors were developed using custom-made process using natural materials such as rattan as substrates. Six different combinations were manufactured and tested.
Task 2.2: Both, our in-house force sensing resistors as well as commercial ones, were embedded in 3D printed insoles and connected with readout electronics. Embedded electronics were composed of microcontroller equipped with a Bluetooth module for wireless transmission of measured data to the computer of mobile phone of users.
Task 2.3: The prototype of integrated system was developed with foot sensor, receiver and bluetooth low energy communication.


WP3: Gait analysis software and mobile application development for the smart wearable system
Task 3.1: An initial version for the software system was developed. With respect to the end-user interface, a mobile application for Android and iOS devices, as well as an accompanying Apple Watch app were developed.
Task 3.2: In this RP1 we developed pressure sensor for robot hands. Home robots will be developed in the RP2.
Task 3.3: Interactive games will be developed in RP2.


WP4: Testing the smart wearable system in pre-clinical trial
Task 4.1: Functional tests of the integrated system (insole+sensor+electronics+software) were performed.
Task 4.2: Evaluation of this system are performed using a dataset that has been collected from 20 volunteers.
Task 4.3: This will be done in RP2.


WP5: Communication, dissemination and exploitation
Task 5.1: Project website (https://gaitrehubproject.com/) has been regularly updated as well as social media accounts (X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube). EU Delegation Visits UACh. Project coordinator delivered talk on the MSCA Supporting researchers’ training and mobility with Western Balkans.
Task 5.2: 4 peer-reviewed journal papers and 4 conference papers were published. Researcher from PSU, obtained Excellent Award in Best Oral Presentation at the TSBME 2024/TSB2024 conference in Taiwan.
Task 5.3: Two events were organized, Workshop no. 1 and Seminar, with 40 + 32 attendees, respectively.


WP6: Project management and coordination
Task 6.1: Four Project management board (PMB) meetings were organized.
Task 6.2: We regularly take care of IPR, gender and risks.
Task 6.3: All deliverables were submitted on time as well as ethical reports.


WP7: Ethics requirements
Independent external Ethics Board of the project was established at the Kick of meeting. Ethical approvals were obtained. Six deliverables related to the ethical issue (D7.1 D7.1 D7.3 D7.4 D7.5 and D7.7) were created and submitted on time.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Results beyond state of the art can be summarized as follows:
• We designed, manufactured, and tested force-sensing resistors (FSRs) based on low-cost natural materials that are widely accessible. Six distinct combinations of rattan substrate materials paired with dissimilar materials—namely, Kapton, blue cotton, and white cotton—were systematically varied to optimize sensor sensitivity. The novel characteristics of the suggested FSRs reside in the materials employed during the fabrication of the sensors. More specifically, the following benefits of rattan as a substrate material can be underscored in the context of shoe insole application: (a) rattan is a material that is naturally lightweight; (b) its fibers allow air to circulate naturally; (c) its mechanical flexibility permits it to gradually conform to the wearer's feet, resulting in a customized and comfortable fit; and (d) its durability enables it to endure normal wear and tear, ensuring its long-lasting functionality. Sensors were placed in a custom 3D printed insole using semi-rigid filament materials (PLA and TPU) to measure plantar pressures between the foot and the insoles at the first metatarsal heads and the heel, using the dimensions of the foot of volunteers to design a gait test protocol.
• Customized insole with embroidered pressure sensors was developed

Modelling gait dynamics

In-house developed force sensing resistors

Readout electronics connected with insole

Customized Insole with force sensing resistor