Peripheral sensory and supersensory replacement system

Abstract

A sensor-based quantification and analysis system includes an input device including a plurality of sensors that generate an input based on a force. The input device also includes a transmission device that transmits force information based on the input The system also includes an output device that receives the force information. A processing unit selects, for each of the plurality of sensors, one of a plurality of levels of a likelihood of tissue damage based on the force and a predetermined time period. Further, the output device includes a display that presents or logs the one of the plurality of levels of the likelihood of tissue damage for each of the plurality of sensors.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A sensory augmentation system comprising:
 an insole comprising an insole bulk, a pressure sensing array embedded in the insole bulk and comprising a plurality of pressure sensors that are configured to generate measurements, a processing unit embedded in the insole bulk and in communication with the pressure sensors for receiving the measurements from the pressure sensors and generating pressure information, and a wireless transmission node embedded in the insole bulk and in communication with the processing unit for transmitting the pressure information out of the insole; and   a sensory augmentation output device configured to receive the pressure information from the insole and apply a sensory augmentation stimulus in response to the pressure information.   
     
     
         2 . The sensory augmentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensory augmentation output device comprises at least one of clothing, a wristband, a laptop computer, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a television, a web-based application, and a heads-up display. 
     
     
         3 . The sensory augmentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensory augmentation output device comprises a visual display, and the sensory augmentation stimulus comprises a visual stimulus. 
     
     
         4 . The sensory augmentation system of  claim 3 , wherein the visual stimulus is applied at a frequency and/or intensity that is a function of the pressure information. 
     
     
         5 . The sensory augmentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensory augmentation stimulus comprises a tactile stimulus. 
     
     
         6 . The sensory augmentation system of  claim 5 , wherein the tactile stimulus comprises at least one of a vibrotactile stimulus and an electrotactile stimulus. 
     
     
         7 . The sensory augmentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensory augmentation output device is configured to apply the sensory augmentation stimulus in real time. 
     
     
         8 . The sensory augmentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure information comprises an indication of whether a pressure threshold has been exceeded, and the sensory augmentation output device is configured to apply the sensory augmentation stimulus when the pressure threshold has been exceeded. 
     
     
         9 . The sensory augmentation system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the pressure sensors is configured to continuously generate the measurements at a measurement frequency of at least 4 Hz. 
     
     
         10 . The sensory augmentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless transmission node is configured to continuously transmit the pressure information out of the insole at a frequency of 4 Hz. 
     
     
         11 . The sensory augmentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensors are configured to continuously generate the measurements over a user's foot. 
     
     
         12 . The sensory augmentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure information comprises a real-time pressure map of the sole of the foot. 
     
     
         13 . The sensory augmentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensors comprise low power piezoelectric, piezoresistive, and/or capacitive sensors. 
     
     
         14 . The sensory augmentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the insole is a flat insole. 
     
     
         15 . The sensory augmentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the insole further comprises an accelerometer and/or a GPS sensor. 
     
     
         16 . A method for using pressure information for sensory augmentation, comprising:
 a. using a plurality of pressure sensors of an insole to generate measurements over a sole of a user's foot;   b. using a processing unit of the insole to receive the measurements from the pressure sensors and generate pressure information;   c. transmitting the pressure information out of the insole to a sensory augmentation output device; and   d. using the sensory augmentation output device to apply a sensory augmentation stimulus in response to the pressure information.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step d. comprises applying a visual stimulus in response to the pressure information. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the visual stimulus corresponds to a location of each pressure sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein step d. comprises applying the visual stimulus at a frequency and/or intensity that is a function of the pressure information. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein step d. comprises displaying graphical and/or numerical data pertaining to pressure incurred on the bottom of the user's foot. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising using a GPS sensor and/or an accelerometer to track the user's location and/or movement. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step d. comprises applying the sensory augmentation stimulus for activity optimization, monitoring, and/or quantification. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step a. comprises continuously generating the measurements at a measurement frequency of at least 4 Hz. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step c. comprises continuously transmitting the pressure information out of the insole at a frequency of 4 Hz. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step d. comprises applying the sensory augmentation stimulus in real time. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step d. comprises using at least one of clothing, a wristband, a laptop computer, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a television, a web-based application, and a heads-up display to apply the sensory augmentation stimulus. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step d. comprises applying at least one of a vibrotactile stimulus and an electrotactile stimulus. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step b. comprises determining whether a pressure threshold has been exceeded, and step d. comprises providing the sensory augmentation stimulus when the pressure threshold has been exceeded. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step b. comprises generating a real-time pressure map of the sole of the foot. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the sensory augmentation output device provides continuous real-time feedback of differential pressures over an entire plantar surface. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the differential pressures provide information about texture or foreign object location 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step d. comprises applying the sensory augmentation stimulus to the user. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step d. comprises applying the sensory augmentation stimulus to a third party. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: e. using the sensory augmentation output device to generate a determination based on the pressure information.