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Optimization and testing on healthy participants of a smart sock with textile pressure sensors
The goal of the project is to test and optimize a smart sock prototype for plantar pressure measurements that was previously developed in the lab. The prototype will be optimized based on its ability to track pressure during everyday activities as a wearable device. Tests on healthy participants performing standard movements (e.g., walking, climbing stairs, etc) will be performed to compare the sock performance to a commercial gold standard smart insole system. This technology can be used for plantar pressure monitoring in diverse wearable applications ranging from healthcare to sports.
Wearable technology is increasingly popular in mobile health thanks to its unobtrusiveness and the possibility to continuously monitor physiological parameters. Monitoring plantar pressure is relevant both in the clinical setting (e.g., prevention of foot ulceration in diabetic subjects) and fitness applications (e.g., gait analysis, sport shoes fitting). The use of textile-based sensors is ideal to obtain soft, comfortable, and seamlessly integrated sensors in common pieces of clothing such as socks.
In this project, an existing smart sock developed in our lab will be optimized based on its performance as a wearable device for pressure monitoring during normal everyday activities (e.g., walking, climbing stairs, standing up from a sitting position). Tests on healthy participants wearing the sock and a commercial smart insole system will be performed to assess the capability of the sock to track pressure under and around the foot in real time. Particular focus will be placed on the sensors positioning and interconnections as well as on the readout module to monitor dynamic activities (e.g., adequate sampling rate and presssure reading range).
This project offers the opportunity to work in the attractive and challenging field of smart textiles with a hands-on and multidisciplinary approach spanning from prototype development (textile sensors and electronics readout) to data analysis. The end goal is to develop a fully integrated textile sock with pressure sensing capabilities that can be used in different mobile health applications.
Wearable technology is increasingly popular in mobile health thanks to its unobtrusiveness and the possibility to continuously monitor physiological parameters. Monitoring plantar pressure is relevant both in the clinical setting (e.g., prevention of foot ulceration in diabetic subjects) and fitness applications (e.g., gait analysis, sport shoes fitting). The use of textile-based sensors is ideal to obtain soft, comfortable, and seamlessly integrated sensors in common pieces of clothing such as socks. In this project, an existing smart sock developed in our lab will be optimized based on its performance as a wearable device for pressure monitoring during normal everyday activities (e.g., walking, climbing stairs, standing up from a sitting position). Tests on healthy participants wearing the sock and a commercial smart insole system will be performed to assess the capability of the sock to track pressure under and around the foot in real time. Particular focus will be placed on the sensors positioning and interconnections as well as on the readout module to monitor dynamic activities (e.g., adequate sampling rate and presssure reading range). This project offers the opportunity to work in the attractive and challenging field of smart textiles with a hands-on and multidisciplinary approach spanning from prototype development (textile sensors and electronics readout) to data analysis. The end goal is to develop a fully integrated textile sock with pressure sensing capabilities that can be used in different mobile health applications.
Goals
• Optimize the existing smart sock (e.g., sensor positioning and interconnections)
• Produce and test multiple prototypes of different sizes with as much repeatability as possible
• Test the socks on healthy participants in every day life activities
• Write a scientific project report
Tasks
• Literature review (10%)
• Sock design optimization (20%)
• Electronic readout optimization (20%)
• Testing on healthy participants (35%)
• Data analysis, report and presentation (15%)
Your Profile
• Background in Mechanical engineering, Electronics Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Medical Technology or related fields
• Independent worker with critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Goals • Optimize the existing smart sock (e.g., sensor positioning and interconnections) • Produce and test multiple prototypes of different sizes with as much repeatability as possible • Test the socks on healthy participants in every day life activities • Write a scientific project report Tasks • Literature review (10%) • Sock design optimization (20%) • Electronic readout optimization (20%) • Testing on healthy participants (35%) • Data analysis, report and presentation (15%) Your Profile • Background in Mechanical engineering, Electronics Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Medical Technology or related fields • Independent worker with critical thinking and problem-solving skills
PhD student Valeria Galli and Prof Carlo Menon will supervise the student and the research will be performed at the Biomedical and Mobile Health Technology research group from ETH Zurich (www.bmht.ethz.ch) located in Balgrist Campus in Zurich, Switzerland. To apply, use the button below and indicate your motivation, attach a short CV, and your grades (transcript of records for both BSc and MSc if applicablee).
PhD student Valeria Galli and Prof Carlo Menon will supervise the student and the research will be performed at the Biomedical and Mobile Health Technology research group from ETH Zurich (www.bmht.ethz.ch) located in Balgrist Campus in Zurich, Switzerland. To apply, use the button below and indicate your motivation, attach a short CV, and your grades (transcript of records for both BSc and MSc if applicablee).