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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/L10741/01
Title: AN IN SHOE BIAXIAL SHEAR FORCE TRANSDUCER SYSTEM FOR GAIT ANALYSIS AND ITS CLINICAL EVALUATION
Principal Investigator: Pepper, Dr M
Other Investigators:
Roberts, Professor VC
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Kistler Instruments Ltd
Department: Sch of Engineering & Digital Arts
Organisation: University of Kent
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 June 1996 Ends: 30 November 1997 Value (£): 50,243
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Instrumentation Eng. & Dev.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Healthcare
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
This grant seeks funds to design, develop and test an in-shoe shear stress measurement system suitable for clinical use. This system will be capable of simultaneously measuring two orthogonal shear forces at multiple sites under both feet. Its unique properties will allow a more thorough understanding of the action of shear stresses during walking and therefore allow an assessment of its impact on gait and foot disorders. The proposed system builds on work at the university of Kent both on an in-shoe vertical force measurement system and on a laboratory prototype in-shoe shear force system. The work presented in this proposal concentrates on improving the shear system design to a standard suitable for clinical use, and in carrying out trials designed to provide a clinical validation of the system and discover its limitation and capabilities. Kings College Hospital as co-investigators will design the clinical trial protocol, advise on mechanical and safety aspects of the system design, and develop a dynamic calibration tool essential for fully testing the transducers. The biaxial transducers are based on a novel operating mode of piezoelectric copolymer film, which provides the capability of simultaneously measuring two shear forces. Its properties also allow for the production of in-shoe triaxial transducer, for which a feasibility study will be undertaken.
Key Findings
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Summary
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.kent.ac.uk