loadpad®: Total force between any objects.

 

loadpad: mobile force measurement on any object
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loadpad® enables the measurement of forces on contact areas between deformable objects.
 
Utilize the mobile, wireless and versatile sensors to analyze contact forces between objects accurately and reliably.

 

loadpad force sensors for measuring normal force in biomechanics and industry

The loadpad force sensors were developed by novel for use in a wide range of applications including medicine*, rehabilitation*, sports, ergonomics, biomechanics, and industrial production quality control. The loadpad measures the normal force placed on the sensor area and is therefore the ideal solution for measurements which do not require information about the distribution of force across a surface.

The loadpad measures the normal total force using a thin, flexible sensor. Based on a new patent, it is the first sensor which can accurately assess the total force even if heterogeneously loaded across the sensor surface. The loadpad sensor has matchbox-sized electronics and communicates wirelessly via Bluetooth with a smartphone. The force values are displayed on the smartphone in real time. The user can also receive immediate feedback regarding the applied force via an auditory, visual, or vibratory signal. The measured data can be stored on the smartphone and to the cloud and additionally transferred to a computer for a more detailed analysis. Long-term measurements allow the evaluation of different parameters such as impulse, load frequency or loading rate. 

 

Technical information:

loadpad technical information

*dependent on contact area

loadpad pricing

loadpad always comes in differen sizes and types and is usually purchased as set of multiple. Here you can buy a demo system. Prices strongly depend on quantity. 

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Options:

We offer 2 different loadpad models, in various sizes, depending on your needs. The loadpad and the loadpad HT.

loadpad: measure forces between one soft and one hard object (e.g. measurement between foot and ground); 
 
loadpad HT: measure forces between two soft objects (e.g. measurement between practitioner’s hand and patient).
 
 

loadpad sizes and shapes

The loadpad sensors are available in several standard sizes and with different sensitivity and maximum loads. In order to achieve an optimal adaptation to the intended measuring surface, the loadpad sensor can be produced with different material coverings. The sensor can also be manufactured with a maximum of three sub-areas if it is necessary to distinguish different loads across the sensor surface. The loadpad sensors can be configured accordingly to customer-specific requirements in terms of shape, size, sensitivity, and surface coatings. The loadpad accurately measures a complete assessment of the total force in the normal direction to the sensor.

Name Typical object/subject Size in mm SKU Pressure range in kPa
loadpad – ad crutch / assistive devices 105 x 50 L2010 600
loadpad – ch child’s heel 30 x 30 L2013 600
loadpad – mt manual therapy 30 x 20 L2012 100, 250, 600
loadpad – mt S chiropractic application 10 x 10 L2014 600
loadpad – PT M posturo / foot 200 x 400 L2321 600
loadpad – PT S posturo / foot 150 x 350 L2320 600
loadpad – rbt foot robots 290 x 126 L2430 240
loadpad – riders on horse saddle 335 x 305 L2260 600
loadpad – saf 10.0 any small area force 100 x 100 L2111 600
loadpad – saf 15.5 any small area force 155 x 105 L2110 600
loadpad – stirrup stirrup 105 x 50 L2011 600
loadpad HT – dfu diabetic foot ø 17 L3210 600
loadpad HT – dq anti decubitus 50 x 50 L3115 600
loadpad HT – hss hss 150 x 100 L3114 600
loadpad HT – ht M glove 90 x 80 L3110 600
loadpad HT – mt D manual therapy 110 x 60 L3116 600
loadpad HT – mt L manual therapy 110 x 110 L3112 600
loadpad HT – mt M manual therapy 110 x 50 L3111 600
loadpad HT – mt Mc manual therapy 110 x 25 L3117 600
loadpad HT – mt S manual therapy 35 x 25 L3113 600
loadpad HT – ve Vakuumextraktion 110 x 50 L3211 600


The loadpad measuring software

The loadapp can be modified for specific applications. It is easy to use, offers numerous display options and allows the analysis of various parameters. Data can also be exported to an ASCII file for additional assessment not included within the app. Additionally, the Windows loadpad analysis software offers an extensive evaluation of the loadpad data on the computer.

loadapp

Software features: 

•    Provides force curve and time process
•    Provides biofeedback for adjustable force levels
•    Uses patented, capacitive, robust textile sensors
•    Uses small, lightweight electronics
•    Transmits the measurement in real time to smartdevices
•    Works with iOS and Android devices
•    Scans the measuring surface at up to 200 Hz
•    Offers apps for a wide range of applications
•    Detects the force on the entire sensor surface
•    Enables connection to novel Windows software
•    Provides ASCII output for scientific data analysis
•    Operates with coin cell or rechargeable batteries

Applications:

loadpad is the leading technology for mobile force evaluation in many fields. Some example applications include:

loadpad applications

 

Here you may visit some application pages and videos:

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Scientific publications:

loadpad journal articles

2024–20262 articles

2026

Effects of a wrapping closure lacing system on wearing comfort, lock-in stability, and lower-limb muscle demand during prolonged running

Yichen Wang; Wei Huang; Nan Zhang; Tony Lin-Wei Chen; Ming Zhang

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · 8:1775046

Study details

System: novel loadpad; flexible wireless pad at the dorsal foot–shoe interface

Application: Running footwear; lacing; instep interface loading

Sample: 20 trained marathon runners; two 50-minute treadmill trials

Data use: Primary application measurements

Evidence of use: Methods identify novel loadpad between the instep and shoe lining, taped in place to measure dorsal-foot interface loading while comparing closure systems during prolonged running.

Verification basis: Publisher full-text methods, section 2.2

First online: 2026-03-16

Notes: Loadpad is used above the foot, not as a plantar loadsol insole. The paper uses pressure terminology for its reported interface measures.

2024

Plantar Kinetics During Wheeled Knee Walker Use Compared to Different Assistive Walking Devices in Persons With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Holton C. Gwaltney; Joseph W. Harrington; Jose G. Anguiano-Hernandez; David C. Kingston

Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics · 9(1):24730114241235911

Study details

System: Loadpad, Novel Electronics Inc.; pads wrapped around walking-aid handles

Application: Assistive walking devices; diabetes; hand-supported offloading

Sample: 24 recruited; 22 included in the reported analysis

Data use: Primary application measurements

Evidence of use: Instrumentation methods identify loadpad on crutch and walker handles to measure hand-supported offloading at 100 Hz. Other instruments measure plantar kinetics; loadpad is also used in synchronization with the wheeled knee walker.

Verification basis: Indexed primary full-text methods (PMC author/publisher article)

First online: 2024-03-19

Notes: Related to the Anguiano-Hernandez assisted-walking research series. Participant overlap is possible; the three publications must not be assumed to represent independent cohorts.

2019–20237 articles

2023

Hand loading, rates of perceived exertion, and usability during assisted walking in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Jose G. Anguiano-Hernandez; Joseph W. Harrington; David C. Kingston

Clinical Biomechanics · 110:106124

Study details

System: Loadpad, Novel Electronics Inc.; flexible pads around assistive-device handles

Application: Walking aids; hand loading; diabetes

Sample: 20 patients with type 2 diabetes; 12 women and 8 men

Data use: Primary application measurements

Evidence of use: The primary article and Figure 1 identify loadpad pads wrapped around walking-aid handles. These recordings quantify hand loading; the wheeled knee walker additionally uses custom instrumentation.

Verification basis: Primary indexed abstract and device-identifying figure caption

First online: 2023-10-13

Notes: December 2023 journal issue; first online 13 October 2023. Part of the same assisted-walking research series as LP002 and LP007; cohort independence is not established.

2023

Concurrent Force Feedback on Load Symmetry in Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients

Steni Sackiriyas; Becky Heinert; Drew Rutherford; Gwen M. Fritz; Thomas W. Kernozek

International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy · 18(4):856–863

Study details

System: novel loadpad; bilateral force sensors beneath the feet

Application: Total knee arthroplasty; rehabilitation; loading-symmetry feedback

Sample: 26 total-knee-arthroplasty patients

Data use: Primary application measurements

Evidence of use: Loadpad sensors beneath each foot provide force measurements and concurrent visual feedback during squats and leg-press exercise. The sensors are placed on the floor or attached to the leg-press footplate.

Verification basis: Publisher full text and indexed primary methods

First online: 2023-08-01

Notes: An earlier repository record with the variant title “Concurrent Feedback of Force on Loading Symmetry in Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients” is not counted as a separate paper. Retention was assessed 7–10 days later.

2023

Validation of a Custom Interface Pressure Measurement System to Improve Fitting of Transtibial Prosthetic Check Sockets

Lucy Armitage; Kenny Cho; Emre Sariyildiz; Angela Buller; Stephen O’Brien; Lauren Kark

Sensors · 23(7):3778

Study details

System: novel Loadpad; circular sensor used alongside a custom SingleTact-based system

Application: Prosthetic sockets; interface measurement; comparator use

Sample: Benchtop tests and 3 transtibial prosthesis users

Data use: Reference/comparator measurements

Evidence of use: Loadpad is tested alongside the custom sensor on the bench and installed simultaneously at the distal socket–residual-limb interface during walking, stairs and sit-to-stand tasks.

Verification basis: Indexed publisher full text, sections 2.3–2.4 and 3.2–3.3

First online: 2023-04-06

Notes: Included because loadpad hardware was actually used. The main system being validated is the authors’ custom sensor system; this must not be presented as an independent validation of loadpad itself.

2023

Clinical and Technical Validation of Novel Bite Force Measuring Device for Functional Analysis after Mandibular Reconstruction

Claudius Steffen; Katharina Duda; Dag Wulsten; Jan O. Voss; Steffen Koerdt; Susanne Nahles; Max Heiland; Sara Checa; Carsten Rendenbach

Diagnostics · 13(4):586

Study details

System: Prototype of loadpad®, novel GmbH; bite-force configuration

Application: Bite force; mandibular reconstruction; device validation

Sample: Laboratory testing and 10 mandibular-reconstruction patients

Data use: Direct loadpad-prototype validation and clinical measurements

Evidence of use: The article explicitly identifies a loadpad prototype. Controlled mechanical loading tests examine accuracy and reproducibility with different silicone coverings, followed by preoperative and postoperative bite-force measurements.

Verification basis: Primary indexed abstract and publisher methods

First online: 2023-02-05

Notes: Direct testing of the loadpad prototype in this configuration, not a blanket validation of every loadpad variant or application.

2022

Alterations to plantar loading and ankle range of motion of the contralateral foot during assisted walking in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Jose G. Anguiano-Hernandez; Joseph W. Harrington; Vijay Shivaswamy; David C. Kingston

Gait & Posture · 98:56–61

Study details

System: Loadpad, Novel Electronics Inc.; force pads at walking-aid handles

Application: Assistive walking; diabetes; hand-supported offloading

Data use: Primary application measurements

Evidence of use: The instrumentation section names loadpad pads on crutch and walker handles to record the bodyweight offloaded through the hands. Separate loadsol insoles and motion capture measure plantar loading and ankle motion.

Verification basis: Indexed primary full-text instrumentation methods and primary bibliographic record

First online: 2022-08-24

Notes: October 2022 issue; online 24 August 2022. Related to LP002 and LP003; participant overlap has not been resolved.

2021

Reliability and accuracy of an expert physical therapist as a reference standard for a manual therapy joint mobilization trial

Evan J. Petersen; Stephanie M. Thurmond; Catherine A. Shaw; Kelly N. Miller; Tommy W. Lee; Jonathan A. Koborsi

Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy · 29(3):189–195

Study details

System: Loadpad, Novel Electronics; 10.5 × 5 cm pad at the hand–lumbar-spine interface

Application: Manual therapy; practitioner reference measurements

Sample: Secondary analysis of expert-therapist measurements with 24 mock patients over four time points

Data use: Secondary analysis of loadpad measurements

Evidence of use: The article describes loadpad between the therapist’s hand and the lumbar treatment site. It reanalyses recordings from the earlier mobilization trial to assess consistency of the expert reference therapist.

Verification basis: Indexed primary full text, methods and source-trial description

First online: 2020-11-24

Notes: June 2021 issue; online 24 November 2020. Explicit secondary analysis related to LP009, not an independent recruitment cohort. The reliability question concerns practitioner performance, not independent validation of the loadpad sensor.

2020

The effect of real-time feedback on learning lumbar spine joint mobilization by entry-level doctor of physical therapy students: a randomized, controlled, crossover trial

Evan J. Petersen; Stephanie M. Thurmond; Sydney I. Buchanan; Diana H. Chun; Ashley M. Richey; Lauren P. Nealon

Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy · 28(4):201–211

Study details

System: Loadpad, Novel Electronics; 10.5 × 5 cm wireless force pad

Application: Manual-therapy education; lumbar mobilization; visual feedback

Sample: 24 entry-level physical-therapy students in a randomized crossover trial

Data use: Primary application measurements

Evidence of use: The equipment description identifies loadpad for force recordings during lumbar joint mobilization. The pad sits between the clinician’s hand and the treatment site and supplies real-time visual feedback.

Verification basis: Indexed primary full-text equipment methods and primary bibliographic record

First online: 2019-10-08

Notes: September 2020 issue; first online 8 October 2019. LP008 is a secondary analysis of expert-reference data from this trial.

Brochures & Catalogues:

loadpad flyer

loadpad English

manual therapy flyer

Manual Therapy

loadpad Horse