Determining Postural Stability

Abstract

A method for determining postural stability of a person can include acquiring a plurality of pressure data points over a period of time from at least one pressure sensor. The method can also include the step of identifying a postural state for each pressure data point to generate a plurality of postural states. The method can include the step of determining a postural state of the person at a point in time based on at least the plurality of postural states.

1 . A computer-implemented method for determining postural stability of a person, the method comprising:
 acquiring, by a processor, a plurality of pressure data points over a period of time from at least one pressure sensor;   identifying, by the processor, a postural state for each pressure data point to generate a plurality of postural states; and   determining, by the processor, a postural state of the person at a point in time based on at least the plurality of postural states and a probability of transitioning between at least one of the plurality of postural states and another postural state.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising acquiring, by the processor, at least one of an acceleration or a location of the person over the period of time. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining, by the processor, a range of postural stability states based on the plurality of pressure data points. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining comprises using a machine learning technique on the plurality of pressure data points to generate the plurality of postural states. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein determining comprises using a Hidden Markov Model on the plurality of pressure data points or applying Bayesian segmentation to the plurality of pressure data points to generate the plurality of postural states. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein acquiring comprises acquiring a plurality of pressure data points from at least one pressure sensor on at least one of a shoe, a sock, a sole insert, a cane, a crutch, a walker, a walking aid, a prosthetic leg, a robotic leg, a vehicle, or an axle connected to at least one wheel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of pressure data points reflects a location of a center of mass of the person at a point in time. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein identifying comprises grouping a selected set of the plurality of pressure data points as corresponding to a static postural state based on the location of the center of mass of the person of each of the plurality of pressure data points. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining comprises determining in real time, a subsequent postural state of the person based on the plurality of pressure data points. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining comprises determining a current postural state or a subsequent postural state of the person based on the plurality of pressure data points, wherein the plurality of pressure data points were acquired during a previous period in time. 
     
     
         11 . A computer-implemented method for determining postural stability, the method comprising:
 acquiring, by a processor, at least a first pressure data point and a second pressure data point from at least one pressure sensor;   identifying, by the processor, a first postural state and a second postural state based on the first and second pressure data points; and   determining, by the processor, a postural state at a point in time based on at least the first postural state, the second postural state, and a probability of transitioning between at least one of the first or second postural states and another postural state.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising acquiring, by the processor, at least one of an acceleration or a location of a person over the period of time. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising determining, by a processor, a range of postural stability states based on the first pressure data point and the second pressure data point. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determining comprises determining a subsequent postural state of a person. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising determining, by a processor, that a person is posturally stable or posturally unstable based on at least the identified first postural state and the identified second postural state. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein acquiring comprises acquiring a plurality of pressure data points from at least one pressure sensor on at least one of a shoe, a sock, a sole insert, a cane, a crutch, a walker, a walking aid, a prosthetic leg, a robotic leg, a vehicle, or an axle connected to at least one wheel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first pressure data point and the second pressure data point reflects a location of a center of mass of a person at a point in time. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determining comprises determining a current postural state or a subsequent postural state based on the first pressure data point and the second pressure data point, wherein the first pressure data point and the second pressure data point were acquired during a previous period in time. 
     
     
         19 . A system for determining postural stability of a person comprising:
 at least one pressure sensor coupled to the person that acquires a plurality of pressure data points over a period of time;   means for identifying a postural state for each pressure data point;   means for generating a plurality of postural states of the person over the period of time; and   means for determining a postural state of the person at a point in time based on the plurality of postural states and a probability of transitioning between at least one of the plurality of postural states and another postural state.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein each pressure data point corresponds to a center of gravity of the person at a point in time.