CeNTI -

Health & Well-being

SENSATO

SENSATO

Shoe for sensory stimulation and therapeutic support

The SENSATO project aims to develop an innovative therapeutic device to assist the rehabilitation process of stroke survivors, with a particular focus on improving balance and gait.

The device’s innovation lies in the integration and combination of sensing and stimulation components, which enable the monitoring of balance and key gait-related variables, as well as active and passive stimulation. Simultaneously, the project prioritises comfort and the prevention of foot complications associated with reduced sensitivity, through the development of multifunctional textile fibres and the texturisation of textile structures using additive manufacturing techniques, thereby promoting moisture management and breathability.

Experimental trials in rehabilitation environments with stroke survivors guide the development of the product’s various components, enabling active involvement of patients and healthcare professionals throughout the process, which is essential to align the solutions with the real needs of the users.

SENSATO

Main Goals/Activities

  • Develop a system to monitor and assess balance and gait parameters in post-stroke patients, using a matrix of flexible sensors and miniaturised Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs); 
  • Develop a sensory stimulation system for the foot, incorporating vibration mechanisms and inflatable cell expansion that can be customised (frequency, duration, and periodicity), promoting enhanced neuromotor activation and, consequently, boosting the rehabilitation process;
  • Develop new textile structures for integration into the footwear solution, featuring advanced designs, textures, and materials capable of enhancing balance, mobility, and functionality;
  • Create a digital platform to visualise data captured by the monitoring system and to control the actuation system, accessible to both the footwear user and healthcare professionals.
medical-assistant-helping-patient-with-physiotherapy-exercises

Links

Operation File

With support of:

Consortium

ICC - Indústrias e Comércio de Calçado CeNTI Universidade de Aveiro