Automated near-fall detector
First Claim
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1. A method of determining gait irregularity, including near fall events, in an event of which a user recovers from a momentary loss of balance during the gait, the method comprising:
- electronically collecting movement data using a single detector configured to measure acceleration of the user'"'"'s body, said detector configured to be located at a single location on the user'"'"'s body, wherein said collected movement data is collected by said single detector, wherein said single location is a torso of the body;
using a processor in communication with said detector, electronically determining a movement parameter value from said data collected at the single location on the user'"'"'s body, wherein said movement parameter value comprises a measure of maximum acceleration, and wherein said movement parameter value relates to a movement parameter in a substantially vertical direction;
electronically comparing, using said processor, said movement parameter value determined from said data collected using said detector with a threshold value, wherein said electronically comparing comprises comparing said measure of maximum acceleration with said threshold value to identify near fall events during the gait;
identifying near fall events during the gait using a result of said comparing; and
electronically storing a count of a plurality of near fall events in a memory.
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Abstract
A method of gait data collection, the method comprising collecting movement data, determining from the data a movement parameter that includes a third order derivative of position, comparing the movement parameter with a threshold value, and counting at least a near fall if the movement parameter exceeds the threshold value.
60 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A method of determining gait irregularity, including near fall events, in an event of which a user recovers from a momentary loss of balance during the gait, the method comprising:
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electronically collecting movement data using a single detector configured to measure acceleration of the user'"'"'s body, said detector configured to be located at a single location on the user'"'"'s body, wherein said collected movement data is collected by said single detector, wherein said single location is a torso of the body; using a processor in communication with said detector, electronically determining a movement parameter value from said data collected at the single location on the user'"'"'s body, wherein said movement parameter value comprises a measure of maximum acceleration, and wherein said movement parameter value relates to a movement parameter in a substantially vertical direction; electronically comparing, using said processor, said movement parameter value determined from said data collected using said detector with a threshold value, wherein said electronically comparing comprises comparing said measure of maximum acceleration with said threshold value to identify near fall events during the gait; identifying near fall events during the gait using a result of said comparing; and electronically storing a count of a plurality of near fall events in a memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of determining gait irregularity, including near fall events, in an event of which a user recovers from a momentary loss of balance during the gait, the method comprising:
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electronically collecting movement data using a single detector configured to measure acceleration of the user'"'"'s body, said detector configured to be located at a single location on the user'"'"'s body, wherein said collected movement data is collected by said single detector, wherein said single location is a torso of the body, using a processor in communication with said detector, electronically determining a plurality of movement parameter values from said data collected at the single location on the user'"'"'s body, wherein said plurality of movement parameter values comprise a measure of maximum acceleration, and where said plurality of movement parameter values includes at least one movement parameter value related to a movement parameter in a substantially vertical direction, electronically determining, using said processor, from said data at least one irregularity of the gait, including identifying near fall events during the gait, said electronically determining including electronically comparing each of said plurality of movement parameter values with an associated threshold value, wherein said electronically comparing comprises comparing said measure of maximum acceleration with said threshold value to identify near fall events during the gait, including comparing said at least one movement parameter value related to the movement parameter in the substantially vertical direction determined from said data collected using said detector with a threshold value, to indicate a near fall event when each said movement parameter value related to the movement parameter in the substantially vertical direction exceeds an associated threshold value, and electronically storing a count of a near fall event in a memory, if a predetermined combination of comparisons indicate a near fall event. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. A method of determining gait irregularity, including near fall events, in an event of which a user recovers from a momentary loss of balance, the method comprising:
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electronically collecting movement data using a single detector configured to measure acceleration of the user'"'"'s body, said movement data including a measure of maximum acceleration, said detector configured to be located at a single location on the user'"'"'s body, wherein said collected movement data is collected by said single detector, wherein said single location is a torso of the body, using a processor in communication with said detector, electronically extracting an indicator indicating a loss of control from said data collected at the single location on the user'"'"'s body, wherein said indicator indicating the loss of control includes at least one movement parameter value which exceeds a threshold value, wherein said electronically extracting an indicator comprises comparing said measure of maximum acceleration with said threshold value to identify near fall events during the gait, wherein said movement parameter value relates to a movement parameter in a substantially vertical direction, electronically storing a count of at least a near fall event, in a memory, if said indicator indicates said loss of control, and electronically recording a date or time for said near fall event, in said memory. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. A method for assisting a person'"'"'s gait while walking, comprising:
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(a) using a sensor configured to be located at a single location on the person'"'"'s torso, electronically detecting, based on time derivation of gait movements, near fall events during the gait; and (b) electronically providing periodic gait regulating cueing signals indicating a suggested gait pace while walking, responsive to said detecting near fall events, wherein said suggested gait pace includes at least one of an indication and a prompt of a regular pace for the gait; wherein said gait movements are collected using the sensor; wherein said electronically detecting is using a processor in communication with said sensor; wherein said electronically providing is by a user interface. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. An apparatus for assisting a person'"'"'s gait while walking, comprising:
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(a) a sensor operatively connected to the person'"'"'s torso and responsive to movement of said person during the gait; (b) a processor adapted to receive movement data from said sensor and to process said movement data to detect near fall events during the movement during the gait; and (c) at least one device operable to provide periodic cuing signals responsive to detected near fall events during the gait, wherein said cuing signals include at least one signal indicating a suggested gait pace to adjust the gait and to stabilize the gait while walking, wherein said suggested gait pace includes at least one of an indication and a prompt of a regular pace for the gait. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification