Gait event-driven, phase-dependent and multi-modal foot rehabilitation system and use method thereof

Abstract

A gait event-driven, phase-dependent and multi-modal foot rehabilitation system, and a use method thereof. The system comprises: a pressure sensor module () which measures a pressure distribution value of a foot sole in real time; a micro-control module () which compares the measured pressure value with a preset threshold value to identify different gait events in a dynamic gait and a pressure balance on the inner and outer sides of the foot sole and to control a corresponding operation in real time; a neuromuscular electrical stimulation module () which applies or stops a suprathreshold electrical stimulation delivered to a target muscle of the foot on the basis of the recognized gait event; a combined pneumatic musculo-skeletal module () which comprises a pneumatic muscle () and deflates or inflates the pneumatic muscle () on the basis of the recognized gait event; and a vibratory biofeedback module () which, when recognizing an imbalance of pressure between the inner side and the outer side of the foot sole, provides a biofeedback to correct the imbalance of force exerted by the foot sole. The gait events comprises heel striking, heel off and sole off. The system can correct foot drop and foot varus, mitigate muscle compensation and dystrophy, and restore a normal gait.