Fall prediction system and method of using the same

• US 10,624,559 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2017
• Issued: 04/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Bhunia, Sourav K., Burwinkel, Justin R., Galster, Jason A., Xu, Buye, Tetrick, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah, Tanmay K
• Application Number:
  US15/858,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20180228404A1
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 3405731
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/113 for determining or recording eye movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0004 characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1114 Tracking parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0446 worn on the body to detect changes of posture, e.g. a fall, inclination, acceleration, gait
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/60 for the operation of medical equipment or devices
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/07 Use of position data from wide-area or local-area positioning systems in hearing devices, e.g. program or information selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/305 : Self-monitoring or self-testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 : using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils

Abstract

Various embodiments of a fall prediction system and method of using such system are disclosed. The system includes a hearing device for a wearer, a sensor operatively connected to the hearing device and adapted to detect a characteristic of the wearer and generate a sensor signal based on the characteristic, and a controller operatively connected to the hearing device. The controller is adapted to determine a fall risk value based on the sensor signal, compare the fall risk value to a fall risk threshold, and generate a fall prevention output if the fall risk value exceeds the fall risk threshold.

Claims

1. A fall prediction system, comprising:

a hearing device for a wearer;

a sensor operatively connected to the hearing device and adapted to detect a characteristic of the wearer and generate a sensor signal based on the characteristic, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of a physiological characteristic and an environmental characteristic of the wearer; and

a controller operatively connected to the hearing device, wherein the controller is adapted to;

determine a fall risk value based on the sensor signal;

compare the fall risk value to a fall risk threshold; and

generate a fall prevention output if the fall risk value exceeds the fall risk threshold;

wherein the controller is further adapted to set the fall risk threshold by at least one of

measuring a maximum displacement between a longitudinal axis of the wearer and a normal to the earth'"'"'s surface at the location of the wearer as a function of time;

measuring a maximum velocity of displacement between a longitudinal axis of the wearer and a normal to the earth'"'"'s surface at the location of the wearer as a function of time;

evaluating a medical history of the wearer;

evaluating medications taken by the wearer;

or

evaluating one or more inputs provided by the wearer in response to one or more queries.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic comprises eye movement of the wearer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic comprises head movement of the wearer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further adapted to determine the fall risk threshold based on one or more settings of the hearing device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the fall prevention output comprises at least one of an audible, visual, and tactile signal provided to the wearer.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further adapted to detect a fall.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the hearing device further comprises hearing assistance components disposed within a housing of the hearing device, wherein the hearing assistance components comprise the controller.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fall prevention output comprises transmission of at least one of the characteristic, the fall risk value, and the fall risk threshold to one or more of a caregiver, medical professional, or the wearer.

9. A fall prediction system, comprising:

a hearing device for a wearer;

a sensor operatively connected to the hearing device and adapted to detect a characteristic of the wearer and generate a sensor signal based on the characteristic, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of a physiological characteristic and an environmental characteristic of the wearer; and

a controller operatively connected to the hearing device, wherein the controller is adapted to;

determine a fall risk value based on the sensor signal;

compare the fall risk value to a fall risk threshold; and

generate a fall prevention output if the fall risk value exceeds the fall risk threshold;

wherein the controller is further adapted to set the fall risk threshold by evaluating medications taken by the wearer.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising generating a fall prevention output if the fall risk value exceeds the fall risk threshold.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising generating a fall prevention output if the fall risk value exceeds the fall risk threshold.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein generating a fall prevention output comprises transmitting at least one of the characteristic, the fall risk value, and the fall risk threshold to one or more of a caregiver, a medical professional, and the wearer.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the characteristic comprises a postural stability characteristic, and wherein the fall risk threshold comprises a postural stability threshold.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein detecting the characteristic comprises:

detecting eye movement of the wearer using a first sensor and a second sensor each operatively connected to the hearing device; and

generating an eye movement signal based on the detected eye movement.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein determining the fall risk value comprises:

detecting head movement of the wearer;

generating a head movement signal based on the detected head movement; and

comparing the eye movement signal to the head movement signal.

16. A fall prediction system, comprising:

a hearing device for a wearer;

a sensor operatively connected to the hearing device and adapted to detect a characteristic of the wearer and generate a sensor signal based on the characteristic, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of a physiological characteristic and an environmental characteristic of the wearer; and

a controller operatively connected to the hearing device, wherein the controller is adapted to;

determine a fall risk value based on the sensor signal;

compare the fall risk value to a fall risk threshold; and

generate a fall prevention output if the fall risk value exceeds the fall risk threshold;

wherein the fall prevention output comprises an adjustment of an intensity of light in a room occupied by the wearer.

17. A fall prediction system, comprising:

a hearing device for a wearer;

a sensor operatively connected to the hearing device and adapted to detect a characteristic of the wearer and generate a sensor signal based on the characteristic, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of a physiological characteristic and an environmental characteristic of the wearer; and

a controller operatively connected to the hearing device, wherein the controller is adapted to;

determine a fall risk value based on the sensor signal;

compare the fall risk value to a fall risk threshold; and

generate a fall prevention output if the fall risk value exceeds the fall risk threshold;

wherein the fall prevention output comprises notifying other devices proximate to the wearer.

18. A fall prediction system, comprising:

a hearing device for a wearer;

a sensor operatively connected to the hearing device and adapted to detect a characteristic of the wearer and generate a sensor signal based on the characteristic, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of a physiological characteristic and an environmental characteristic of the wearer; and

a controller operatively connected to the hearing device, wherein the controller is adapted to;

determine a fall risk value based on the sensor signal;

compare the fall risk value to a fall risk threshold; and

generate a fall prevention output if the fall risk value exceeds the fall risk threshold;

wherein the fall prevention output comprises notifying other devices proximate to the wearer.

19. A fall prediction system, comprising:

a hearing device for a wearer;

a sensor operatively connected to the hearing device and adapted to detect a characteristic of the wearer and generate a sensor signal based on the characteristic, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of a physiological characteristic and an environmental characteristic of the wearer; and

a controller operatively connected to the hearing device, wherein the controller is adapted to;

determine a fall risk value based on the sensor signal;

compare the fall risk value to a fall risk threshold; and

generate a fall prevention output if the fall risk value exceeds the fall risk threshold;

wherein the controller is further adapted to set the fall risk threshold by evaluating medications taken by the wearer.