FTIR Balance Sensor for Fall Risk Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing fall risk in the elderly are subjective and require a clinician, lacking an objective and cost-effective way for individuals to evaluate their own daily fall risk, leading to potential under- or over-estimation of fall risk.
Innovation Solution
A human balance sensor using the principle of Frustrated Total Internal Reflection (FTIR) with a transparent glass plate, latex sheet, and high-resolution camera to capture light diffused from the glass plate under pressure, providing a haptic image of foot pressure distribution for accurate balance assessment without the need for electronic force sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic force sensors are used to measure foot pressure distribution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic force sensors with an optical measurement system based on frustrated total internal reflection. The glass plate and camera system captures pressure distribution through optical means rather than electronic transducers, eliminating complex electronic components while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or image of the pressure distribution pattern through the glass plate interface. The camera captures the optical signature of pressure distribution rather than directly measuring forces, providing a simplified representation that reduces system complexity.
2Reliability
If clinician-administered assessment tools are used, then assessment reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables individuals to perform balance assessment independently using the glass plate and camera system. The device allows self-administration of balance testing without requiring clinician presence, while maintaining objective measurement reliability through the optical sensing system.
3Ease of operation
If simple observation methods are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual observation with an objective optical measurement system. The camera-based detection of light diffraction patterns provides quantitative, precise measurements of pressure distribution while maintaining the simplicity of the glass plate interface and standing balance test.
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 sensor offers a highly sensitive and cost-effective means to objectively evaluate human balance ability, capable of detecting subtle variations in force distribution and analyzing balance through video data analysis, enhancing the accuracy of fall risk assessment.
Implementation Method 1
based on the principle of Frustrated Total Internal Reflection (FTIR), when user stands with his foot on the glass plate (a) the latex sheet is pressed onto the upper surface of the glass plate, (b) a condition of total internal reflection is eliminated at the pressure locations due to the foot, and (c) diffused reflection of the light passes from the bottom surface of the glass plate and is focused onto an image plane of the camera
Data Source
AI summary
A human balance sensor for assessing the risk of the user falling includes a transparent glass plate, a latex sheet located on the top surface of the glass plate, a light source located so as to inject light into edge of the glass plate and a high resolution camera located below the glass plate so as to capture light diffused from the glass plate when pressure is applied thereto by the user's foot. Based on the principle of Frustrated Total Internal Reflection (FTIR), when user stands with his feet on the glass plate a condition of total internal reflection is eliminated at pressure locations due to the pressure from the feet, and diffused light passes from the bottom surface of the glass plate and forms a haptic image of the contact area of the feet which can be analyzed over time to determine the user's ability to balance, and hence their risk of a fall.