Estimation of the locomotor function of man in health and disease using "Induction analyzer of kinematic walking parameters" device

The problem and the goal. The diagnosis of the state of a patient locomotion is in demand in two social spheres: in medicine and in sports. Existing systems of multidimensional computerized video motion analysis (VAD) are informatively versatile, but in term of the cost, operating conditions and requirements for service personnel they are available only to a few specialized centers. In medicine, in connection with the implementation of the federal post-stroke rehabilitation program aimed at reducing the level of disability of the population, quick operational diagnosis of a patient's locomotion has become a problem for practical healthcare institutions. Diagnosing the state of locomotion of an organism is a necessary stage both in determining the rehabilitation strategy and in the process of monitoring the effectiveness of rehabilitation procedures. The article discusses the results of the research the objectives of which were the design and study of the diagnostic capabilities of the Induction Analyzer of Kinematic Parameters of Walking (IAKPH) device intended, in particular, for use in the implementation of the program. The research methodology included: the insight into the historical experience of experimental and clinical medicine on the problem; the search for existing solutions of the problem (at the level of patents and in the clinic); the choice of the physical principle of information display of the gait characteristics of the patient; the analysis of the elemental base of modern microelectronics and versions of the program-based conversion of the initial information into numerical values of diagnostically important parameters of walking; consideration of specific operational conditions and ergonomic requirements for the device. Results. The design was developed and a prototype of a mobile (wearable by the testee) diagnostic device, simple in design and in use, was manufactured. It can be used in rehabilitation medicine and in training athletes (walking, jogging). Diagnosis is based on the use of electromagnetic induction. Induction coupled coils (short multilayer solenoids) are located on the subject's legs. The emitting coil is powered by a current with a frequency of 1.5 kHz. The device allows you to record the electromagnetic signal in the form of oscillograms (“oscillograms of walking”) as well as individual characteristics of the gait in time and in two spatial dimensions (movements of the legs in the sagittal and frontal planes). Diagnostically important parameters are determined using a special computer program. Variants of the presentation and interpretation of test results are considered. They can be proposed in the form of tables of parameters, by plotting a “phase portrait” of walking, by comparing two “oscillograms of walking” (before and during rehabilitation procedures), Conclusion. Experimental and clinical use of the mobile diagnostic IAKPH device (from 2010 - the prototype of the device, and a trial model beginning with 2018) showed that in terms of information capacity (as applied to walking), it is practically on the level of stationary systems of multidimensional computer video analysis (VAD) and can be recommended for licensing as a device for medical usage.