Development of and opto-electronic system for detection of flat foot using estimation techniques

Distribution of Foot Pressure reflects the deformations of body biomechanical design. They are caused by different reasons: degenerative, by trauma, etc., being flat foots most common pathology. Flat foot corresponds to the lack degree of internal plantar arch and is well observed in foot pressure distribution. To this end, there are two types of systems to obtain this distribution: optical and electronics. First of them are based on imaging scanners to obtain footprint images, while the second one have a sensor array. The most required, by their accuracy, are the electronics but sensor manufacturing process raises its price, meanwhile optics provides an indirect optical solution whose price depends on scanners resolution. Therefore, this paper takes advantage of both systems: a direct pressure value from electronics and no problems calibration from optical systems. In order to obtain the last explained, prototype will use a webcam and six FSR (Force sensing resistor) sensors including estimation techniques, and thus obtain the foot pressure distribution. Accordingly, the present study is looking for providing to the specialist an efficient tool to generate better diagnostic.