Wireless sensor based quantitative falls risk assessment
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Publication Number
US-9427178-B2
Publication Date
2016-08-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and systems may provide for a plurality of kinematic sensors to be coupled to a corresponding plurality of shanks of an individual, a processor, and a memory to store a set of instructions. If executed by the processor, the instructions can cause the system to calculate a timed up and go (TUG) time segment based on angular velocity data from the plurality of kinematic sensors. The instructions may also cause the system to calculate a derived parameter based on the angular velocity data, and generate a falls risk assessment based on at least one of the TUG time segment and the derived parameter.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention provides a system for quantitative falls risk assessment. A plurality of shank-mounted kinematic sensors coupled to an individual measure tri-axial angular velocity data while the individual is walking, and a processor receives the measured tri-axial angular velocity data and obtains a plurality of adaptive thresholds whose values change based on the received angular velocity data.
The adaptive thresholds define a likely range of heel-strikes and toe-off points in the angular velocity data, and the processor determines the plurality of heel-strikes and toe-off points based on the adaptive thresholds. During a measured period of time, the processor starts obtaining the tri-axial angular velocity data and stops at the end of the period of time.
The system generates a falls risk assessment used to indicate a risk of falling, based on at least the period of time, the measured tri-axial angular velocity data, and the plurality of heel-strikes and toe-off points. The falls risk assessment is provided to a user via a user interface device for user interaction.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are directed to a system, a method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. Across these independent claims, there are three main inventive features: using shank-mounted kinematic sensors to measure tri-axial angular velocity data during walking, deriving adaptive thresholds that define a likely range of heel-strikes and toe-off points, and generating a falls risk assessment for user interaction based on the measured data and detected event points.
Adaptive thresholds that change based on tri-axial angular velocity data
A processor is configured to receive the measured tri-axial angular velocity data and obtain a plurality of adaptive thresholds based on the measured tri-axial angular velocity data, wherein values of the plurality of adaptive thresholds are configured to change based on the measured tri-axial angular velocity data.
Likely range of heel-strikes and toe-off points
A plurality of adaptive thresholds defines a likely range of a plurality of heel-strikes and toe-off points in the angular velocity data, and the processor determines the plurality of heel-strikes and toe-off points based on the plurality of adaptive thresholds.
Falls risk assessment generated from period, angular velocity data, and detected event points
The processor generates a falls risk assessment used to indicate a risk of falling, based on at least the period of time, the measured tri-axial angular velocity data, and the plurality of heel-strikes and toe-off points, and provides at least the generated falls risk assessment to a user via a user interface device for user interaction.
All independent claims share the same core pipeline: measure tri-axial angular velocity data with shank-mounted kinematic sensors while walking, derive adaptive thresholds that change based on the angular velocity data to define likely heel-strike and toe-off ranges, determine those event points, and generate a falls risk assessment based on the measurement period, the angular velocity data, and the detected heel-strikes and toe-off points for user interaction.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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