Pressure Mapping Mat for Tele-Home Care Applications

Jose Saenz-Cogollo,Massimiliano Pau,Beatrice Fraboni,Annalisa Bonfiglio

doi:10.3390/s16030365

Jose Saenz-Cogollo, Massimiliano Pau + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/s16030365

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Abstract

In this paper we present the development of a mat-like pressure mapping system based on a single layer textile sensor and intended to be used in home environments for monitoring the physical condition of persons with limited mobility. The sensor is fabricated by embroidering silver-coated yarns on a light cotton fabric and creating pressure-sensitive resistive elements by stamping the conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) at the crossing points of conductive stitches. A battery-operated mat prototype was developed and includes the scanning circuitry and a wireless communication module. A functional description of the system is presented together with a preliminary experimental evaluation of the mat prototype in the extraction of plantar pressure parameters.

Highlights

The quantification of fundamental data about human posture and movement, such as balance and foot-ground interaction is a fundamental aspect for the evaluation of the quality of life of subjects with limited mobility, such as elderly persons [1]
We present the development of a pressure sensitive mat prototype intended to be used in home environments for monitoring the physical condition of elderly persons by means of plantar pressure measurements
The treatment is done with an aqueous dispersion of PEDOT:PSS mixed with a variable percentage of ethylene glycol which acts as the second dopant [18]

Summary

Introduction

The quantification of fundamental data about human posture and movement, such as balance and foot-ground interaction is a fundamental aspect for the evaluation of the quality of life of subjects with limited mobility, such as elderly persons [1]. One of the strategies to assess and monitor the physical condition in a non-intrusive way is by means of the analysis of the patient weight distribution against the floor using force platforms [4]. Since those instruments are usually bulky and expensive, their use is limited to specialized clinics and research labs and, cannot be used for long-term daily monitoring. Another possibility is the use of insole systems for monitoring plantar pressure during daily life activities [5]

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