Fall prevention training system and method using a dynamic perturbation platform

• US 7,980,856 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2005
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Simbex
• Original Assignee: Simbex
• Inventors: Palifka, Robert, Grabiner, Mark, Chu, Jeff, Greenwald, Richard, Buck, Aaron
• Primary Examiner(s): Thai; Xuan M
• Assistant Examiner(s): MUSSELMAN, TIMOTHY A
• Application Number:
  US11/294,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20060247104A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,051 Days
• Field of Search: 434/258, 128/779, 482/8, 482/9, 482/900, 600/592, 600/595, 600/587, 362/102
• US Class Current: 434/258
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0176 By stopping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1616 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1621 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1635 Hand or arm, e.g. handle hand-held, A61H2201/0153; fore-arm support, A61H2003/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/164 Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1652 Harness
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5064 Position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5079 Velocity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/008 Using suspension devices for supporting the body in an upright walking or standing position, e.g. harnesses drawing-out devices A61H1/0218
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0278 with reversible direction of the running surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0683 Input by handheld remote control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0292 separate for each leg, e.g. dual deck
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0064 Attachments on the trainee preventing falling

Abstract

A new apparatus, system and method for fall prevention training is provided that delivers, studies and analyzes the biomechanics of a disturbance event, such as a slip or trip incident, so that an appropriate response can be executed by the person to reduce or eliminate the number of falls experienced. The apparatus includes a platform that delivers a disturbance event in less than about 500 ms and preferably in the range of about 100 ms to about 200 ms. The method includes a unique protocol for fall prevention training using the apparatus.

Claims

1. A disturbance simulation apparatus for fall prevention training of an individual, comprising:

a perturbation platform movable to create a disturbance event that induces a response from the individual as part of a continuous walking gait;

the perturbation platform being a motorized belt and capable of moving to create said disturbance event having a duration of less than 500 ms;

the belt enabling the individual to exhibit a continuous walking gait;

a plurality of sensors located proximate to the individual and the platform;

data being outputted from the plurality of sensors;

means for collecting and storing the data during a disturbance event; and

means for outputting the data.

2. The disturbance simulation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motion of the motorized belt is bi-directional.

3. The disturbance simulation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the perturbation platform is two motorized bi-directional belts.

4. The disturbance simulation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an obstacle positioned proximate to the platform to induce the response from the individual to the disturbance event;

the obstacle being a disturbance to the gait of the individual.

5. The disturbance simulation apparatus of claim 4, wherein the obstacle is selected from the group consisting of a light beam, a three-dimensional object and a hologram.

6. A method of fall prevention training, comprising the steps of:

providing a motorized belt platform configured to support an individual standing thereon;

moving the platform, with the individual thereon, to cause the individual to achieve a continuous walking gait;

moving the platform to create a disturbance event having a duration of less than 500 ms that induces a step response from the individual as part of a continuous walking gait;

recording the step response of the individual;

locating a plurality of sensors proximate to the individual and the platform;

outputting data from the plurality of sensors;

collecting and storing the data during a disturbance event; and

outputting the data.

7. A disturbance simulation apparatus for fall prevention training of an individual, comprising:

a perturbation platform movable to create a disturbance event that induces a step response from the individual as part of a continuous walking gait;

the perturbation platform capable of moving to create said disturbance event having a duration of less than 500 ms;

the perturbation platform enabling the individual to exhibit a continuous walking gait.

8. The disturbance simulation apparatus of claim 7, wherein the perturbation platform is a motorized bi-directional belt.

9. The disturbance simulation apparatus of claim 7, wherein the perturbation platform is two motorized bi-directional belts.

10. The disturbance simulation apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

an obstacle positioned proximate to the platform to induce the response from the individual to the disturbance event;

the obstacle being a disturbance to the gait of the individual.

11. The disturbance simulation apparatus of claim 10, wherein the obstacle is selected from the group consisting of a light beam, a three-dimensional object and a hologram.

12. A method of fall prevention training, comprising the steps of:

providing a platform configured to support an individual standing thereon;

moving the platform, with the individual thereon, to cause the individual to achieve a continuous walking gait; and

moving the platform to create a disturbance event having a duration of less than 500 ms that induces a step response from the individual as part of a continuous walking gait.