Wearable Sensor for Fall Risk Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring gait stability and fall risk in healthcare settings are impractical and costly, failing to capture three-dimensional movements and are not effectively used in daily living or post-medical intervention assessments, particularly for neurogenic gait alterations.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an accelerometer, magnetometer, and gyroscope configured to measure spatio-temporal gait metrics and the Walking Orientation Randomness Metric (WORM) to determine gait stability and fall risk, using a wearable sensor unit that calculates a WORM score indicative of fall risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure-sensing mat or walkway is used to measure gait parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase making it impractical for healthcare settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex laboratory systems by using a simple wearable accelerometer attached to the patient's body. This single sensor captures three-dimensional movement data, eliminating the need for complex pressure-sensing mats or walkways while maintaining the ability to derive gait parameters in natural environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a portable copy of laboratory-grade gait analysis capability by using a wearable sensor that replicates the measurement function of complex laboratory systems. The accelerometer captures movement data that can be processed to derive the same gait parameters, making the technology accessible in clinical and home settings rather than requiring specialized laboratories.
2Measurement precision
If marker-based motion capture with biomechanical model is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to impracticality in healthcare settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cumbersome marker attachment and complex biomechanical modeling requirements by extracting only the essential measurement capability. A single wearable accelerometer captures the necessary three-dimensional movement data without requiring skin markers, motion capture cameras, or complex computational models, making it practical for routine healthcare use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical marker-based motion capture system with an electronic accelerometer-based system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical markers, complex camera systems, and biomechanical models, while providing equivalent or superior measurement capability in a much simpler, easier-to-use format suitable for healthcare settings.
3Ease of operation
If conventional gait monitoring with limited parameters is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates by failing to capture three-dimensional movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional or single-axis gait monitoring to three-dimensional movement capture by using an accelerometer that measures acceleration along three orthogonal axes. This dimensional expansion provides comprehensive spatial information about gait patterns while maintaining ease of use through a simple wearable device that requires no special setup or calibration.
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 robust and reliable assessment of fall risk, enabling timely intervention and appropriate discharge decisions by quantitatively measuring walking instability and balance, with the WORM score distinguishing fallers from non-fallers with high accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer configured to output signals indicative of movement of the subject along one or any combination of an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis
Implementation Method 2
a magnetometer configured to output signals indicative of variations in position of the subject in a space defined by the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis
Implementation Method 3
a gyroscope configured to output signals indicative of angular velocity of the subject around one or any combination of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system and method for determining a fall risk of a subject a gait stability score for the subject from at least two gait metrics or a walking orientation randomness metric (WORM) score. If one or more of the scores falls outside a predetermined range or above a predetermined threshold the subject is at risk of falling.