• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.196-203
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• 2004

In this study, a new gait phase detection system using both FSR(Force Sensing Resister) sensors and a gyrosensor was developed to detect various gait patterns. FSR sensors were put in self-designed shoe insoles and a gyrosensor was attached to the posterior aspect of a shoe. An algorithm was also developed to determine eight different gait transitions among four gait phases: heel-strike, foot-flat, heel-off and swing. The developed system was compared with the conventional gait phase detection system using only FSR sensors in various gait experiments such as level walking, fore-foot walking and stair walking. In fore-foot walking and stair walking, the developed system showed much better accuracy and reliability to detect gait phases. The developed gait phase detection system using both FSR sensors and a gyrosensor will be helpful not only to determine pathological gait phases but to apply prosthetics, orthotics and functional electrical stimulation to patients with gait disorders.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 1994

The heel, with its specialized fat for shock absorption at heel strike and large surface area for balance and weight bearing, is a important component of normal ambulation. Despite of distinguished improvement in the field of microsurgical free flaps, the choice of reconstruction of the heel has been remained controversial. We reviewed 22 cases of the heel reconstruction using vascularized free flaps from January, 1980 through May, 1993 at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Korea University Hospital. The results were as follows: 1. The etiology was traumatic in 21 cases, and chronic ulceration due to burn in 1. 2. The arteries used in free flaps were 11 dorsalis pedis arteries, 2 deep circumflex iliac arteries, 2 supeficial iliac arteries, 2 branches of lateral femoral circumflex iliac arteries, 2 radial arteries, and 3 thorcodorsal arteries. 3. The mean size of the vascularized bone was $4.5cm{\times}3.5cm$, and that of skin flap was $12.1cm{\times}9.2cm$. 4. Of the 22 cases, 19 had a successful outcome and 3 in failure, the causes of failure were thrombosis and infection.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.495-501
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to develop the inertial sensor module system to detect gait event using single angular rate sensor(gyroscope), and evaluate the accuracy of this system. This sensor module is attached at the heel and gait events such as heel strike, foot flat, heel off, toe off are detected by using proposed automatic event detection algorithm. The developed algorithm detect characteristics of pitch data of the gyroscope to find gait event. To evaluate the accuracy of system, 3D motion capture system was used and synchronized with sensor module system for comparison of gait event timings. In experiment, 6 subjects performed 5 trials level walking with 3 different conditions such as slow, preferred and fast. Results showed that gait event timings by sensor module system are similar to that by kinematic data, because maximum absolute errors were under 37.4msec regardless of gait velocity. Therefore, this system can be used to detect gait events. Although this system has advantages of small, light weight, long-term monitoring and high accuracy, it is necessary to improve the system to get other gait information such as gait velocity, stride length, step width and joint angles.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2006.10c
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• pp.193-195
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• 2006

In this study, we developed an active controlled ankle-foot orthosis(AAFO) which can control the dorsiflexion/plantarflexion of the ankle joint during gait to prevent foot drop and toe drag for paralysis patients. To prevent dropping foot after heel strike, ankle joint was actively controlled to minimize forefoot collision with the ground. It was also controlled to provide toe clearance and to help push-off during late stance. The 3D gait analysis was performed on two healthy subjects equipped with the developed AAFO to compare with the normal gait and the conventional AFO gait. In the developed AAFO gait, differently from the conventional AFO gait, significant push-off was observed during pre-swing and the maximum flexion moment during pre-swing phase was similar to that of normal gait. A remarkable dorsiflexion also occurred during initial swing. These results indicated that the developed AAFO could have certain clinical benefits to prevent foot drop for paralysis patients, compared to conventional AFOs.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.93-101
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• 1992

Gait parameters for the Korean normal adults were compared with sex and age. Time-distance measurements and ground reaction force parameters were studied in relation to walking speed. Regression analysis was performed to establish functional relations between walking speed and various gait parameters. It is found that cardence and stride length varied linearly with walking velocity whereas time of double support was inversely proportional to walking velocity. The amplitude of ground reaction force was increased with increasing velocities of gait due to the greater heel-strike force and toe-off forces associated with these higher velocities. The results of this study can be usefull utilized as basic data to design and evaluate prosthetic devices, and to detect abnormal gait performances.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.92-97
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• 1994

It is well known that visual cues can improve the motor performance of Parkinsonian patients. Previous laboratory studies have examined the effects of visual cueing to the floor. This case study examined the effects of using a visual cue above eye level on the gait of a Parkinsonian man. It was found that cueing the patient to a target above eye level while waking not only improved the kinematic parameters of the gait cycle but also facilitated a more functional gait pattern with re-intergration of arm swing, rhythm, heel strike and a more erect posture. Visual targeting above eye level may serve as an important clinical tool for physiotherapists treating Parkinsonian patients.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.135-142
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• 2008

The primary innovation in the new footwear is a heel lift of $20^{\circ}$ which is proposed to improve posture and balance as well as increase shock absorption. The purpose of this research was to compare the movement, forces and muscle activity between the new shoes and standard athletic footwear during standing and walking. Nine healthy subjects participated in this study. Data were collected at two times: 1) when the subjects first wore the new walking shoes and 2) after the subjects wore the shoes for 6 hours a day for two weeks. 1. During standing. the movement of the center of pressure is increased approximately 60% when wearing the new walking shoes compared to a control shoe. 2. During walking. the ankle is approximately $14^{\circ}$ more dorsiflexed during landing due to the 200heel lift in the new walking shoes. The knee compensates slightly by flexing approximately $2^{\circ}$ more. 3. As a result of the changes in the walking movement, the ground reaction forces are applied more quickly, although the peak magnitudes do rut change. 4. The resultant joint moments at the ankle and knee joints decrease from 21-60% with the largest reductions occurring during landing. In conclusion, the new footwear change the movement, showing a more upright stance. Also, the new footwear reduce joint loading at the joint during the landing and weight acceptance phase of walking. However, the influence of the new footwear is immediate and does rut change after wearing the shoes for two weeks.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.59-66
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• 2018

The utilized coefficient of friction (UCOF) as a ratio of the shear force to the normal force on the ground during walking is used to identify the point at which slip is likely to occur. Shoe walking will change the utilized coefficient of friction by shoe design such as sole thickness and hardness, heel shape, and outsole pattern. In this study, subjects are 21 adults (10 female, 11 male, age: $25.2{\pm}2.3yrs$, height: $165.6{\pm}7.2cm$), analysis variables were walking speed, GRF, when the UCOF is maximal, and Tangent of CoP-CoM angle, and correlation analysis with the utilized friction coefficient (UCOF). As a result, First, for the shod walking the time point which UCOF is maximum about heel strike was faster and the magnitude was larger than for barefoot walking. Second, the correlation between the tangent of CoP-CoM and UCOF of right foot was higher at the left heel striking point (UCOF2_h) which occurred in the post propulsion phase than at the right heel striking point (UCOF1_h). This suggests that the right foot UCOF is related to the braking phase of left foot( which is the propulsion phase of right foot) rather than the braking phase of right foot.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.159-166
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to develop and automatic gait event detection algorithm using single accelerometer which is attached at the top of the shoe. The sinal vector magnitude and anterior-posterior(x-axis) directional component of accelerometer were used to detect heel strike(HS) and toe off(TO), respectively. To evaluate proposed algorithm, gait event timing was compared with that by force plate and kinematic data. In experiment, 7 subjects performed 10 trials level walking with 3 different walking conditions such as fast, preferred & slow walking. An accelerometer, force plate and 3D motion capture system were used during experiment. Gait event by force plate was used as reference timing. Results showed that gait event by accelerometer is similar to that by force plate. The distribution of differences were spread about $22.33{\pm}17.45m$ for HS and $26.82{\pm}14.78m$ for To and most error was existed consistently prior to 20ms. The difference between gait event by kinematic data and developed algorithm was small. Thus it can be concluded that developed algorithm can be used during outdoor walking experiment. Further study is necessary to extract gait spatial variables by removing gravity factor.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.319-341
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• 2016

Objective:This research analyzed the lower-limb motion in kinetic and kinematic way while walking on various terrains to develop Foot-Ground Contact Detection (FGCD) algorithm using the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). Background: To estimate the location of human in GPS-denied environments, it is well known that the lower-limb kinematics based on IMU sensors, and pressure insoles are very useful. IMU is mainly used to solve the lower-limb kinematics, and pressure insole are mainly used to detect the foot-ground contacts in stance phase. However, the use of multiple sensors are not desirable in most cases. Therefore, only IMU based FGCD can be an efficient method. Method: Orientation and acceleration of lower-limb of 10 participants were measured using IMU while walking on flat ground, ascending and descending slope and stairs. And the inertial information showing significant changes at the Heel strike (HS), Full contact (FC), Heel off (HO) and Toe off (TO) was analyzed. Results: The results confirm that pitch angle, rate of pitch angle of foot and shank, and acceleration in x, z directions of the foot are useful in detecting the four different contacts in five different walking terrain. Conclusion: IMU based FGCD Algorithm considering all walking terrain possible in daily life was successfully developed based on all IMU output signals showing significant changes at the four steps of stance phase. Application: The information of the contact between foot and ground can be used for solving lower-limb kinematics to estimating an individual's location and walking speed.