A sensor grid is provided which is able to provide signals of the magnitude and location on the grid of applied pressure. In the prime application of gait analysis, the sensor in the sole of a shoe provides over time a signal indicative of the magnitude and movement of the centre of pressure. This may be presented as a visual signal showing the location of the centre of pressure on the outline of the sole with pressure values coded in colour. Alternatively the location may be represented as pitch of an audio signal and the magnitude by sound volume. Such a signal can be used to provide feedback to a patient to correct their gait by modifying their gait to produce a desirable signal. The analysis software uses an algorithm to identify the location, speed and distribution of the centre of pressure (COP) and additionally to assess the fractal dimension of the COP. Other attributes such as location of hotspots and pressure impulses can be used to augment the biofeedback signals. The sensor system may be used in other sensing applications such as measuring impacts in sports or pressure points in patients confined to sitting or prone positions.
