SENSING STABILITY AND DYNAMIC-RESPONSE OF THE F-SCAN IN-SHOE SENSING SYSTEM - A TECHNICAL NOTE

The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of the F-Scan to determine its appropriate clinical application. Vertical pre ssure was applied to a sensor foil over the range of 10-80 kPa with or without the intervention of 0.2-0,8 mm thick felt. Sensor sensitivity reached a maximum without. the felt, and decreased with increasing fe lt thickness, stabilizing at 48-74% of the maximum level when felt thi ckness exceeded 0.4 mm. This sensitivity change was caused by the slig ht difference in thickness of sensing areas from that of non-sensing a reas. Dynamic response time was delayed by a mean of 0.32 s. Although the cause of this dynamic response delay remains unclear, it was consi dered to be inappropriate for accurate dynamic measurements. Therefore , rather than using F-Scan measurement to accurately obtain actual val ues, it should be used for relative comparisons of the plantar pressur e distributions under constant conditions.