Don't Watch Your Step
From: Popular Science - 06/2012 - page 50
By: Becky Ferreira

The Sensastep System is a self-contained footstep monitoring device which
informs the patient by way of an extraneural pathway when a threshold of
pressure is attained. 

To use Sensastep, the patient wears a conductive foam insole embedded with 13
pressure sensors. As the heel or toe strikes the ground, a transmitter
strapped to the ankle sends signals to a receiver that slips over the ear.
The earpiece vibrates against the bone behind the ear, stimulating the
cochlear nerve. Variations in the vibrations, which the patient perceives as
audible tones, alert the brain to which part of the foot has contacted the
ground. Patients don't need to look down and watch every step they take to
avoid falls. 

Sensastep could help patients with sensory and motor-skill disabilities
caused by diabetic neuropathy or Parkinson's disease, as well as those with
balance problems from strokes or injuries.  

Read the entire article and view a video (2:38) at:
http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2012-05/2012-invention-awards-assisted-walking-device-senses-your-step

Link:
Sensastep
http://sensastep.com/index.php