Abstract
Abstract
In the recent years, measurement of plantar strain and gait analysis has gained huge attention and plays a pivotal role in monitoring posture related ailments or Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU). Fibre Bragg Grating Arrays (closely spaced FBGs), another category of optical sensors, are employed in this study to understand the strain and gait of human foot. These arrays offer critical advantages such as enhanced sensitivity, data acquisition, multiplexing abilities, and sensor location effect compensation. For experimentation, five arrays were distributed among different regions (Upper, Medial, and Heel) of foot and their strain patterns for six volunteers (three male and three female) were recorded for eighty seconds. The data was analysed in two ways, Combined (data of array sensors were averaged to target the whole area) and Individual (for independent analysis of each sensor in array). Incoherent transitions and strain patterns of FBGs within the same arrays observed in individual analysis, explains enhanced resolution capabilities of the arrays. Strain mapping of sensor behaviour also confirmed the identification of various forms of gait i.e., Heel Strike, Flat Foot, Heel Off, and Zero Contact. The average standard deviation values for the arrays was reported below 0.16.