Fall and Concussion Prediction via Dual-Task Balance Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack an effective system for accurately predicting falls and concussions, particularly in assessing an individual's balance and reaction to visual cues, which are crucial for dynamic balance maintenance and concussion detection.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a measurement assembly with sensors and a visual display device to create an interactive game or immersive environment, where performance parameters like balance, visual acuity, and reaction time are assessed through interactive tasks, with progressively increasing difficulty levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional concussion tests are used, then concussion detection is possible, but the tests do not accurately assess dynamic balance and reaction to visual cues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines visual display devices with force measurement assemblies to create an integrated system that simultaneously assesses cognitive performance and balance. The visual display presents tasks while the force plate measures body movements, merging two separate assessment domains into one unified test protocol that evaluates dynamic balance and reaction to visual cues.
Solution Approach 2:
The force measurement assembly acts as an intermediary device that objectively quantifies balance and movement responses. Instead of relying on self-reporting or subjective observation, the force plate provides precise measurements of center of pressure, force vectors, and body movements, serving as a mediator between the visual stimulus and the balance response.
2Ease of operation
If simple balance tests are used, then the test is easy to administer, but it does not assess mental processing challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to perform multiple assessment functions simultaneously. The same force measurement assembly and visual display device can evaluate balance, reaction time, visual acuity, and cognitive processing. The dual-task protocol allows the system to assess both simple balance and complex mental processing challenges within a single integrated test.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static balance tests to dynamic assessment protocols. The visual display presents time-varying stimuli and the force plate captures dynamic body responses in real-time. The protocol progressively challenges the subject with increasing difficulty levels, assessing how the subject adapts their balance and cognitive processing under varying conditions.
3Reliability
If dual tasking is implemented, then assessment reliability improves, but the test complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges cognitive tasks and balance assessment into a single integrated protocol. Instead of administering separate tests and trying to correlate results, the system simultaneously presents visual cognitive tasks while measuring balance responses, creating a unified dual-task assessment that inherently captures the interaction between cognitive and motor performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback loops where the force measurement data is processed during the task performance. The system monitors balance stability and cognitive task performance simultaneously, using the feedback from both streams to dynamically assess reliability. Performance parameters are continuously updated based on real-time measurements of balance and cognitive response.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate prediction of fall risk and concussion assessment by quantifying performance parameters, providing a reliable method for dynamic balance evaluation and mental processing challenges.
Implementation Method 1
at least one measurement device, the at least one measurement device configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are generated based upon the subject's contact with the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A fall and/or concussion prediction system includes: (i) a measurement assembly configured to receive a subject having a surface for receiving at least one portion of a body of a subject and at least one measurement device, the at least one measurement device configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are generated based upon the subject's contact with the surface; (ii) a visual display device, the visual display device configured to display a task, an interactive game, a virtual reality scenario, and/or an immersive graphic environment that is visible to the subject; and (iii) a data processing device operatively coupled to the at least one measurement device of the measurement assembly and the visual display device. In one embodiment, a dual-task protocol is used to assess a person's risk for falling and/or predict whether or not a person has sustained a concussion.