(April 1, 2019) - We are pleased to make two announcements regarding our research progress. First, our Hallux Valgus database in now available for download. Second, we will be participating in imec's FutureSummits event next month. Let's take a closer look at both of these items.
Hallux Valgus Dataset: As mentioned in last month's
update, we have collected foot pressure measurements from 53 individuals with a hallux valgus. A hallux
valgus is a foot deformity that causes an outward bump (bunion) to appear at the base of the big toe. It
also causes the big toe to curve inward towards, and even under or over, the smaller toes.
From the measurements of these 53 individuals, we discarded three due to the patient (a) having Parkinson's disease, (b) having Diabetes, and (c) using an ankle-foot orthosis. These conditions can affect a person's walking pattern, so it would be difficult to determine if their abnormal foot pressures are due to the hallux valgus or their one of these conditions. Anyway, we ended up with measurements from 50 individuals that we can use in future studies. For those 50 individuals, we collected anywhere from 8 to 15 pressure measurements from each of their feet.
As always, you can download these measurements from our data page. Along with the pressure measurements, we also collected information about the individual, including their gender, age, weight, height, shoe size, handedness and footedness. The first five of those items are known to affect foot pressures, while the last two might. We also had each individual fill in two questionnaires on foot pain and foot function. The scores from those questionnaires are also provided in the database. Finally, we intend to add measurements of the hallux abductus angle (which is the angle the big toe makes with its corresponding metatarsal) that were collected from x-rays. This is the current gold standard for measuring the severity of a hallux valgus deformity, so it will be interesting to see if the pressures - or foot pain scores - correlate with these angles.
imec FutureSummits 2019: Next month, 14-15 May 2019 in Antwerp Belgium, the imec FutureSummits Technology Forum will be held and this year, CAD WALK will be there! We will be one of the 55+ technology demos from imec-funded research groups that will be on display during the forum. If you are in the area, please stop by our demo at booth 18. We will have our CAD WALK software prototype setup and linked to an pressure-sensing plate provided by rs scan. That way, we can measure and analyze your foot pressures right there on the spot. This will also be an opportunity to talk with us about the project and its future plans. I look forward to see you there!
[FutureSummits | 14-15 May, Antwerp from imec.support on Vimeo].
Up Next in April-May 2019...
