Monitoring Technology for the Prevention of Falls in the Elderly

描述（由申请人提供）：创新设计实验室（IDL）建议开发一种低功耗、低成本、高顺应性系统，用于监测指示跌倒风险增加的步态参数。 福尔斯是老年人发病率和死亡率的主要原因，跌倒相关损伤对患者、其家庭、护理人员和整个社会都构成了重大负担。跌倒相关伤害的后果，如慢性疼痛和活动能力下降，导致住院时间延长和机构化。 对跌倒相关伤害的恐惧使老年人孤立，降低了他们的行动能力和独立性。这个项目 旨在开发一种低成本的跌倒风险监测技术，该技术对老年患者来说是不显眼的。物理和软件设计的主要重点是在日常持续使用中实现非常高的合规性和用户满意度。 公共卫生相关性：福尔斯是65岁以上人群受伤和意外死亡的主要原因。跌倒或接近跌倒的心理影响往往导致对跌倒的恐惧，降低他们的独立性和日常生活活动（ADL）。通过使用小型可穿戴传感器监测步态参数，可以防止福尔斯跌倒。提出了一种新颖的跌倒风险监测装置，旨在确保易用性、舒适性和高依从性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Innovative Design Labs (IDL) proposes to develop a low-power, low-cost, high compliance system for monitoring gait parameters indicative of increasing fall-risk. Falls are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in older people, and fall-related injuries represent a significant burden to the patients, their families, caregivers an the society as a whole. Consequences of fall-related injuries, such as chronic pain and decreased mobility, contribute to prolonged hospital stays and institutionalization. The fear of fall-related injuries isolates the elderly, reducing their mobility and independence. This projects aims to develop a low-cost fall risk monitoring technology that is unobtrusive to the elderly patient. The primary focus of the physical and software design is to achieve a very high compliance and user satisfaction throughout daily, continual use. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Falls are a leading cause of injury and accidental death in persons over the age of 65 years. The psychological impact of a fall or near fall often results in fear of falling, reducing their independence and activities of daily living (ADLs). By monitoring gait parameters with a small wearable sensor, falls can be prevented. A novel fall-risk monitoring device designed to ensure ease of use, comfort, and high compliance is proposed.