Analysis of foot-to-ground clearance measurement techniques for MEMS realization

The foot clearance above the ground is an important clinical and rehabilitation gait analysis parameter. Current bulky and laboratory environment based instruments are not suitable for measurement in the natural environment such as the outdoors. MEMS technology can be used with integration of microelectronic circuitry to enable realization of tiny and efficient devices for this application. This paper analyses three promising distance measurement techniques (capacitive, electric field and ultrasound) that may be suitable for MEMS realization of foot clearance measurement. The study suggests that ultrasound-based technique is very suitable for this application.