Devices and methods for measuring balance in a subject are described herein. The devices include a platform, a mechanism connected to the platform, and at least one sensor in or on the platform. The at least one sensor measures the balance of a subject atop the platform as the mechanism induces a platform movement in the horizontal plane. A data set measured by the at least one sensor can processed and then used to assess a subject's balance.

A variable stiffness treadmill system having a variable stiffness mechanism, a split-belt treadmill, a counterweight system, and a body weight support for supporting an individual and varying the stiffness below the individual on the treadmill for research and rehabilitation.

A membrane assembly for use with a three-dimensional imager to obtain a topographical plantar image of a foot is provided. The assembly includes a support structure having a front end and a rear end elevated relative to the front end, and a flexible membrane suspended from the support structure and configured to receive and support an entire plantar surface of the foot. The membrane defines and encloses an upper portion of an inflatable chamber, and includes a forefoot- and a rearfoot-receiving region respectively adjacent to the front and the rear end of the support structure. The rearfoot-receiving region is under less tension than the forefoot-receiving region. The imager is positionable under the membrane in order to acquire the plantar image when the foot is disposed on the membrane. An apparatus including a membrane assembly and a three-dimensional imager, and a method for imaging a foot are also provided.

In an embodiment a tactile sensor includes a plurality of stress sensors and at least one contact body, wherein the stress sensors are configured to detect a load pattern applied on a detection surface of the contact body.

A diagnostic system is provided that provides sensing and transmitting of fusion indicia to determine whether fusion has occurred. In some embodiments, a diagnostic system comprises a spinal implant or graft material; an antenna configured for sending signals to a remote location; a sensor configured for measuring at least one fusion indicia; and a receiver for receiving signals at the remote location. In some embodiments, a method of utilizing a diagnostic system comprises the steps of inserting a spinal implant or graft material within a disc space between two vertebrae; measuring at least one fusion indicia; sending signals to a remote location with an antenna; and receiving signals with a receiver at the remote location.

An impact control system includes a supporting structure with gravity compensation mechanism, and a supporting bed which is supported by the supporting structure and supports an impact target. Here, the supporting structure includes an elastic element, a vertical support to which one end of the elastic element is fixed, a horizontal support to which the other end of the elastic element is fixed, and which is rotatable around a rotation axis disposed at one end of the horizontal support meeting an end of the vertical support, and a weight support part which is connected to the other end of the horizontal support and supports the supporting bed while contacting a lower surface of the supporting bed.

Provided are a disease-condition assessment device for assessing a disease condition of a subject, a disease-condition assessment method, a program for disease-condition assessment device, and a disease-condition assessment system. The operation-quantity data that the subject operates the vehicle is acquired, the operation-related data in the components of a predetermined frequency range is calculated from the operation-quantity data, the operation value that quantifies the operation-related data is calculated from the operation-related data, and the disease condition of the subject is assessed depending on the operation value.

An apparatus for static weight-bearing assessment of foot and lower limb abnormalities, the apparatus comprising: a platform configured to support at least part of a patient's foot; and an actuator arrangement configured to control a displacement of the platform.

A back brace is configured to be worn by a patient for treating spinal deformations. The back brace has at least one pressure sensor configured to be attached to the back brace at a point of pressure with the body of a patient, and at least one strap configured to be tightened for adjusting a pressure at the point of pressure. A control unit is configured to be attached to one of an outside of the back brace and inside a cavity formed in the back brace. The control unit is configured for (a) processing signals from the at least one pressure sensor, (b) communicating with at least one external computing apparatus, (c) informing and guiding in real time and incentivizing a patient to more efficiently wear the back brace by at least providing indications to the patient for tightening the at least one strap by comparing a pressure value provided by the at least one pressure sensor with at least one calibration value, and (d) enabling a doctor to more efficiently monitor, intervene, and manage the patient and treatment in real time.

Embodiments of a system and/or method can include: a set of weight sensor subsystems associated with the set of users, wherein a weight sensor subsystem of the set of weight sensor subsystems comprises a weight sensor operable to collect a weight dataset for a user, wherein the weight dataset is associated with a physical activity characteristic of the user, and a wireless communication module operable to transmit the weight dataset; and a medical improvement subsystem wirelessly connectable to the set of weight sensor subsystems, wherein the medical improvement subsystem is operable to: assign the user to a user subgroup based on the physical activity characteristic of the user; determine a physical activity metric based on the weight dataset; and promote a therapeutic intervention to the user based on the physical activity metric, where the therapeutic intervention is operable to improve the status of the first user.