Method and Apparatus of Preventing a Fall or Minimizing the Impact of the Fall of an Individual

Abstract

Falling causes serious injury to the body and is a leading cause of death in the elderly. An external belt placed over the waist comprises an inertia system and expandable modules. These modules contain packed air bags and can be expanded in size by orders of magnitude using an air tank. The modules are selected by the inertia system that senses the direction of the fall. The selected module is filled with air from the air tank generating a protective mattress which can be used to cushion their fall. Serious injury to the body can be reduced or even prevented. The module instead can contain an expandable support structure to reach the floor and act as a “third leg”. This support structure may be used by the individual to gain control of the individual's balance and stabilize the individual allowing a re-capture of balance and preventing the fall from occurring.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Accidental falls to individuals can cause the development of serious medical issues for an individual, particularly if the individual is elderly. Falling causes serious injury to the body and is a leading cause of death. The fall can cause medical issues include broken bones, concussions, broken hips and many other impact injuries. When a fall occurs, an alert procedure is required so aid can arrive to the fallen individual to minimize comorbidities and long term impacts associated with the initial injury.[0002]In one notification procedure, the individual carries an apparatus that has a button that can be pressed to alert a monitoring group that the individual is in need of emergency care. The apparatus has a wireless interface that can contact authorities once the button is depressed. The alert provides the location of the individual, so appropriate attention can be provided to the individual in need. However, if the individual goes unconscious aft...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]One embodiment of one of the present inventions uses an external belt placed over the pants and shirt holding multiple expandable modules where selected modules can be increased in size by orders of magnitude via a line that can be switched to an air tank containing compressed air. The modules are selected according to the direction the individual is falling determined by the directional accelerator. An inertia system formed by the fall accelerometer senses the direction of the fall and enables the corresponding switch to expand the module. As the individual falls, the deflated cushion is filled with air from the compressed source providing a cushion approaching the size of the body of the individual which can be used to cushion their fall. The effect of the fall is minimized and any potential damage to the body can be reduced or even prevented.

Problems solved by technology

Accidental falls to individuals can cause the development of serious medical issues for an individual, particularly if the individual is elderly.

Falling causes serious injury to the body and is a leading cause of death.

The fall can cause medical issues include broken bones, concussions, broken hips and many other impact injuries.

These sensors are mounted within the room and can monitor the individual at all times; however, the system can only help the individual within the room containing the wireless sensors.

Secondly, the air bag is not deployed selectively to protect the side coming in contact with the ground.

The body weight of an individual in comparison to that of the weight of a portable device would make the blasts of air or spring extensions difficult.

Furthermore, the individual is not replaceable unlike the device where one can easily replace the device by purchasing another comparable device.

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