Force Measurement System for Fall Risk Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional balance assessment systems are limited by antiquated technology, making them inaccurate and cumbersome for assessing a person's balance, and lack flexibility in testing schemes, especially when employing displaceable background enclosures with fixed images.
Innovation Solution
A force measurement system incorporating a force measurement assembly with a top surface for receiving a subject's body, force transducers to sense applied forces and moments, and data processing devices to determine center of pressure and center of mass differences, fall risk, and balance parameters, while utilizing virtual reality scenarios and immersive visual displays for enhanced assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional balance assessment systems use fixed images in displaceable background enclosures, then the testing scheme structure is maintained, but the flexibility and adaptability of testing schemes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed images to dynamic virtual reality scenarios that can be programmatically adjusted. The balance assessment system allows testing schemes to be dynamically modified through software control, enabling real-time adaptation of visual environments, testing parameters, and scenario configurations without physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables changing of testing parameters such as visual scene characteristics, platform movement patterns, and task requirements through software control. This allows the same physical apparatus to support multiple testing schemes by programmatically adjusting parameters rather than requiring physical modifications to the enclosure or imaging system.
2Measurement precision
If conventional balance assessment systems use antiquated technology, then the system structure is simple, but the measurement accuracy and assessment precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces antiquated mechanical and optical balance assessment technology with force transducers and virtual reality-based measurement systems. Force sensors provide precise quantification of balance forces, while virtual reality environments enable sophisticated assessment protocols without requiring complex mechanical enclosures or specialized imaging equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The force measurement system serves multiple functions: it quantifies balance forces through force transducers, presents diverse visual scenarios through virtual reality, and adapts to different testing protocols through software control. This multi-functionality achieves high measurement precision without requiring separate specialized equipment for each assessment type.
3Ease of operation
If the system uses virtual reality scenarios and immersive visual displays, then the subject immersion and testing engagement is improved, but the device complexity and setup requirements is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a computer-generated virtual reality environment as an intermediary between the physical force measurement apparatus and the subject. This virtual intermediary provides immersive visual stimulation and testing scenarios without requiring complex physical enclosures, specialized displays, or elaborate setup infrastructure. The virtual environment is delivered through standard computing hardware.
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
The system provides a flexible and accurate method for assessing balance characteristics, determining fall risk, and quantifying balance strategies, offering improved flexibility and immersion through virtual reality scenarios and data processing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
at least one force transducer, the at least one force transducer configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are representative of forces and/or moments being applied to the top surface of the force measurement assembly by the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A force measurement system is disclosed herein. The force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly configured to receive a subject, and one or more data processing devices operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly. In one embodiment, the one or more data processing devices are configured to determine a difference between a center of pressure and a center of mass for the subject from output force and/or moment data, and to determine the fall risk of the subject based upon the difference between the center of pressure and the center of mass for the subject. In another embodiment, the one or more data processing devices are configured to determine one or more balance parameters of the subject from the output force and/or moment data while the subject is stepping onto the top surface of the force measurement assembly and/or stepping off the top surface of the force measurement assembly.