Abstract
Peripheral neuropathy results from damage to the nerves in the peripheral nervous system [1] and can cause loss of feeling or numbness in the hands and feet [2]. This leads to several challenges, including difficulty walking. Our goal was to create a device that gives sensory feedback during gait to a portion of the limb that still has sensation and ultimately reduces the chance of trips and falls. Additional constraints were placed on the system being cost-effective and easy to use. We have composed a device using a closed, human-actuated air bladder system. An underfoot input air bladder compresses during walking, which in turn, inflates an air bladder on the leg that stimulates sensory nerves. To test the device, an Instron was used to apply a load to the input bladder, and the force generated by an output bladder was measured on a mannequin leg. Four devices were evaluated in total, with two different output bladder designs and two different fluid connection systems between the bladders. It was found that both output bladder designs were effective and the connection system consisting of polyurethane tubing was superior in translating the input force onto the leg. This design also had the fastest force release, which could prove beneficial during the naturally cyclical process of walking.
