Method, system and apparatus for fall detection
First Claim
1. A method for detecting a fall, comprising:
- receiving data from at least one sensor associated with a person;
analyzing the received data to detect changes therein;
detecting the person is falling or that a fall is imminent based on the analysis of the received data;
administering to the person, in response to the detection, a first neurological test requiring the person to manually or orally input a level of responsiveness; and
administering to the person a second neurological test, wherein the second neurological test is at least one of an awareness test or a cognitive level test, and wherein the second neurological test is administered in response to the person not failing the first neurological test.
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Abstract
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for detecting fall events of a person. Fall events are falls that are likely to occur, are occurring, or have occurred. Fall detectors and fall detector systems detect fall events of the person. Data relating to the person are received from sensors and analyzed to perform fall detection. Data relating to the person includes accelerations and forces experience by the person, changes in body position of the person, movements of the person, and body signals and sounds of the person. Neurological tests are administered to determine levels of responsiveness and awareness of the person in response to detections. Warnings are issued, and safety measures are deployed, in response to detections. Data relating to fall events are recorded and logged. Fall event histories based upon the logged data and fall detection algorithm performance are used to improve future fall detection and prediction.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for detecting a fall, comprising:
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receiving data from at least one sensor associated with a person; analyzing the received data to detect changes therein; detecting the person is falling or that a fall is imminent based on the analysis of the received data; administering to the person, in response to the detection, a first neurological test requiring the person to manually or orally input a level of responsiveness; and administering to the person a second neurological test, wherein the second neurological test is at least one of an awareness test or a cognitive level test, and wherein the second neurological test is administered in response to the person not failing the first neurological test. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for detecting a fall, comprising:
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receiving data from at least one sensor associated with a person, wherein the received data includes electromyogram (EMG) data measured from at least one anti-gravitatory muscle; analyzing the received data to detect changes therein; detecting the person is falling or that a fall is imminent based on the analysis of the received data, wherein the detection is based at least in part on whether the EMG data deviates above a first threshold indicating abnormally high muscle tone or below a second threshold indicating abnormally decreased muscle tone; issuing a warning; administering to the person, in response to the detection, a neurological test requiring the person to manually or orally input a level of responsiveness or awareness; and logging to a memory at least of one a date and time of the fall or one or more results of a test administered to the person. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for detecting whether a person has fallen, comprising:
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receiving a measure of force from a sensor associated with the person; analyzing the measure of force with respect to time; detecting the person has fallen based on the analysis of the measure of force with respect to time; administering to the person, in response to the detection, a first neurological test requiring the person to manually or orally input a level of responsiveness; administering to the person a second neurological test, wherein the second neurological test is at least one of an awareness test or a cognitive level test, and wherein the second neurological test is administered in response to the person not failing the first neurological test; logging to a memory at least one of, a date and time of the fall, a force of impact or results of the neurological test; and issuing a warning in response to the detection that the person has fallen. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification