emed®
Plantar pressure platform
- Detailed pressure distribution
- Barefoot measurement
- Clinical and research workflows
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Scientific Explanation
Pressure matters.
Ground reaction force tells you how much force is applied. Plantar pressure shows where that force is distributed across the foot.
emed records the barefoot pressure pattern with a calibrated capacitive sensor matrix, making local peaks, left-right differences and rollover behavior easier to interpret.
High pressure
Low pressure
Plantar pressure helps you understand:
- Localized high-pressure areas
- Left-right asymmetries
- Heel-to-toe rollover patterns
- Altered forefoot or rearfoot loading
- Reduced or excessive toe loading
- Changes in contact area
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Measurement Method
How emed measures plantar pressure.
The subject walks naturally across the platform. Thousands of individually calibrated capacitive sensors record pressure under the plantar surface during stance, walking or running.
The result is a dynamic pressure map with quantitative data on pressure, force, contact area and spatiotemporal parameters.
Quantitative results
- Peak pressure
- Mean pressure
- Force
- Contact area
- Rollover
- Timing parameters
Watch emed in motion
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Comparison
emed vs. other methods.
Each measurement method answers a different question. emed is the right tool when barefoot pressure distribution, force and contact area need to be measured together.
Learn more about the platforms →
pedar®
In-shoe pressure measurement
- Pressure inside footwear
- Real-world movement
- Footwear and orthotic evaluation
loadsol®
In-shoe force measurement
- Total plantar force in footwear
- Real-world movement and feedback
- 1-, 2- or 3-zone force layouts
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Evidence
Trusted in research and practice.
emed is used across biomechanics, diabetic-foot research, orthopedics, pediatrics, sports medicine and rehabilitation. Its value is the combination of reliable pressure maps with repeatable reporting.
Selected emed publications
Grouped into three publication periods, newest first.
2021-20266 papers
- Plantar Pressure and Radiographic Deformity at Diagnosis of Active Charcot Neuro-Osteoarthropathy as Potential Prognostic Markers for Time to RemissionVictoria E. L. Milbourn, Kerensa M. Beekman, Max Nieuwdorp, Tessa E. Busch-Westbroek, Sicco A. Bus, Nina L. Petrova, Jaap J. Van Netten
- Agreement between the pedobarography results of emed-x® and emed-xl® platforms in children and adultsVictoria Blackwood, Wilshaw R. Stevens Jr., Kelly A. Jeans
- The individuality of plantar pressure indices enables the reduction of descriptive gait data required for diagnostic purposesEwa Latour, Emilia E. Latour & Jarosław Arlet
- Impact of body weight and age on plantar pressure in typically developing children: Normative data and methodological considerationsAnika Behrendt, Tobias Siebert, Sonia D’Souza
- Cadaveric Simulation of Flatfoot and Surgical Corrective Techniques: The Evans Osteotomy vs the Z-OsteotomyCorey P. Wukelic, Grant C. Roush, Eric C. Whittaker, James Meeker, Kelly Apostle, Bruce J. Sangeorzan, William R. Ledoux
- Longitudinal study of foot pressures during real-world walking as infants develop from new to confident walkersCarina Price, Eleonora Montagnani, Ana Martinez Santosa, Chris Nester, Stewart Morrison
2015-20207 papers
- Development and evaluation of a dual density insole for people standing for long periods of time at workJennifer Anderson, Anita E. Williams, Chris Nester
- Clinical Assessment of the Medial Longitudinal Arch in Children: Rater Agreement and Relationship to Objective Foot Arch MeasurementsAndreas Stotz, Karsten Hollander, Christoph Heidt, Susanne Sehner & Astrid Zech
- Development of the infant foot as a load bearing structure - study protocol for a longitudinal evaluation (the Small Steps study)Carina Price, Juliet McClymont, Farina Hashmi, Stewart C. Morrison, Christopher Nester
- Arch index and running biomechanics in children aged 10-14 yearsKarsten Hollander, Julie Stebbins, Inke Marie Albertsen, Daniel Hamacher, Kornelia Babin, Claudia Hacke, Astrid Zech
- Reliability and Correlation of Static and Dynamic Foot Arch Measurement in a Healthy Pediatric PopulationTimo Scholz, Astrid Zech, Karl Wegscheider, Susanne Lezius, Klaus-Michael Braumann, Susanne Sehner, Karsten Hollander
- Growing-up (habitually) barefoot influences the development of foot and arch morphology in children and adolescentsKarsten Hollander, Johanna Elsabe de Villiers, Susanne Sehner, Karl Wegscheider, Klaus-Michael Braumann, Ranel Venter & Astrid Zech
- The effects of being habitually barefoot on foot mechanics and motor performance in children and adolescents aged 6-18 years: study protocol for a multicenter cross-sectional studyKarsten Hollander, Babette C. van der Zwaard, Johanna Elsabe de Villiers, Klaus-Michael Braumann, Ranel Venter, Astrid Zech
2009-20147 papers
- Plantar pressures and ankle kinematics following anterior tibialis tendon transfers in children with clubfootKirsten Tulchin, Kelly A. Jeans, Lori A. Karol, Lindsey Crawford
- Risk Factors for Plantar Foot Ulcer Recurrence in Neuropathic Diabetic PatientsRoelof Waaijman, Mirjam de Haart, Mark L. J. Arts, Daniel Wever, Anke J. W. E. Verlouw, Frans Nollet, Sicco A. Bus
- Effect of Custom-Made Footwear on Foot Ulcer Recurrence in DiabetesSicco A. Bus, Roelof Waaijman, Mark Arts, Mirijam de Haart, Tessa Busch-Westbroek, Jeff van Baal, Frans Nollet
- Metatarsal Length does not Correlate with Maximal Peak Pressure and Maximal ForceMartin Kaipel, Daniel Krapf, Christian Wyss
- Development of healthy children’s feet - nine-year results of a longitudinal investigation of plantar loading patternsKerstin Bosch, Joachim Gerß, Dieter Rosenbaum
- The Accuracy of an Automasking Algorithm in Plantar Pressure MeasurementsScott J. Ellis, Hill Stoecklein, Joseph C. Yu, Grisha Syrkin, Howard Hillstrom, Jonathan T. Deland
- Intraoperative Pedobarography Leads to Improved Outcome ScoresMartinus Richter, Stefan Zech
Diabetic foot
Plantar pressure patterns, ulcer risk and offloading strategies.
Foot deformity
Functional differences in pes planus, pes cavus and related patterns.
Sports biomechanics
Gait analysis, performance questions and injury prevention.
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Applications
Clinical and research applications.
emed supports barefoot pressure-distribution assessment wherever local loading, gait pattern and foot function need to be understood together.
Orthopedic diagnoses
Map load transfer in flatfoot, high arch, pronation and forefoot patterns.
Diabetic foot care
Find high-pressure regions and guide offloading, footwear and orthotic decisions.
Sports medicine
Compare walking or running pressure patterns for performance and injury questions.
Post-surgery assessment
Track weight-bearing and pressure redistribution through recovery.
Pediatric diagnoses
Document flatfoot, toe-walking, asymmetry and uneven stride patterns.
Rheumatologic conditions
Compare arthritis-related pressure changes and support strategies over time.
Neurological disorders
Review altered rollover, imbalance and asymmetric loading patterns.
Elderly foot care
Assess pressure patterns linked to pain, balance changes and mobility limits.
Custom orthotic design
Tune insoles and footwear using region-specific pressure data.
Weight-related loading
Monitor how body weight and gait changes influence plantar load.
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The Product
emed platforms.
emed platforms are available in two sizes. Choose the platform that fits your clinical or research workflow.
Technical data
| Specification | emed® s | emed® xl |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure range | 10 - 1,270 kPa | 10 - 1,270 kPa |
| Dimensions | 690 x 400 x 21 mm | 1,529 x 504 x 21 mm |
| Sensor area | 540 x 320 mm | 1,440 x 440 mm |
| Sensors | 6,912 | 25,344 |
| Resolution | 4 sensors/cm2 | 4 sensors/cm2 |
| Frequency | 120 Hz | 100 Hz |
| Accuracy | ± 5% ZAS | ± 5% ZAS |
| Temperature range | 15 - 40°C | 15 - 40°C |
| Synchronization | sync-out/in | sync-out/in |
Both platforms measure calibrated pressure, force and contact area. The emed-xl also provides spatiotemporal parameters. ZAS means zero at start.
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Ready to get started?
Our experts can help you find the right emed configuration for your assessment or research workflow.
