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GaitSole: Closed-Loop Foot Drop Correction for Stroke
- Program: Biomedical Engineering
- Course: EN.580.571 Honors Instrumentation
- Year: 2026
Project Description:
Foot drop is a neurological condition characterized by the inability to dorsiflex the foot, affecting approximately 20-30% of stroke survivors and leading to compensatory movements that impede the recovery of a natural, balanced gait. GaitSole utilizes Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to deliver precisely timed electrical pulses to the peroneal nerve, artificially triggering the muscles required for foot clearance. The system provides a wearable, closed-loop neurorehabilitation solution by integrating a piezoresistive insole and a 6-DOF inertial measurement unit (IMU) to acquire real-time kinetic and kinematic data. By utilizing plantar pressure as a feedback mechanism, the system’s control logic adaptively adjusts FES parameters based on the user’s specific gait phase. This ensures synchronized muscle activation and precise initial contact timing, effectively restoring natural dorsiflexion and promoting overall gait symmetry.
Project Photo:
GaitSole Prototype
