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How Wearable Fall Detection Devices Can Prevent Serious Injuries
Fall detection devices are valuable for anyone at risk of falling, especially the elderly or people living alone. They can alert emergency services or designated contacts to help prevent serious injuries and save lives.

Researchers have used different sensor technologies to develop wearable systems for fall risk assessment and detection. The most promising are inertial sensors (i.e., accelerometers and gyroscopes) attached near the center of gravity.
Smartwatches

Many popular smartwatches have a feature that uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect sudden movements that could indicate a fall. The accuracy rates for this kind of fall detection are often higher than those achieved by traditional medical alert pendants that require the wearer to press a button in case of an emergency, and arguably offer more convenience.

While this sort of feature is a great benefit for those who need to keep an eye on their health, it’s not always perfect. For example, some users have reported that their watch triggers a false alarm when they clap their hands together or shake a bag of food while cooking. It may even be triggered while skiing or riding a bicycle.

This is why AARP is pushing for companies to improve this feature and prevent it from falsely activating the user’s emergency contacts. The Apple Watch has a feature that allows users to tap the screen to show they’re not injured, or slide it across the display to call for assistance. The watch will also automatically contact emergency services if it’s unable to determine if you’re injured or not. It will then send your current location to a 911 dispatcher. However, this only works if your emergency contacts are already configured on the watch. If they’re not, the watch will activate a timer that can last up to 30 seconds.
Wearable Sensors

Wearable sensors can help prevent serious injuries from falls. These devices use motion-sensitive technologies to alert loved ones, caregivers or medical emergency services if the device detects a fall. They can also provide a valuable tool for measuring an individual’s risk of falling, which can be used to inform medical treatments.

Wearable technologies that include sensors have a wide range of applications, such as human-machine interfaces2,3,4,5, skin-based biomedical/electronic devices6,7,8,9 and highly sensitive sensor systems for artificial skins10,11. However, their practical use is limited by their lack of flexibility, high cost and low performance. Recently, advances in materials strategies and engineering principles for developing flexible and stretchable devices have improved their performances.

A system has been proposed that combines stretchable energy generation (TEG) and storage (lithium-ion batteries; LIBs) devices with sensor/controllers/communication units for wearable fall detection. The device modules are interconnected with conductive carbon threads to achieve softness, wearability and light weight.

The system uses a triaxial accelerometer for monitoring and three-axis gyroscope for movement detection. It also has a threshold-based fall detection algorithm, which is based on the peak acceleration value that occurs when an object falls. The algorithm design avoids false alarm caused by normal movements such as walking or sitting. This system can be a viable alternative to a professionally monitored personal emergency response system (PERS), which requires the user to push a button to call for assistance.
Insoles

Wearable insoles and orthotics are common solutions for a variety of foot-related problems, and they’re widely available in pharmacies and healthcare shops. But it’s important to know the difference between them: despite their similar appearance, they perform very different functions.

For example, smart insoles have been developed for measuring plantar pressure distribution during walking or standing. They are typically placed underneath the shoe and transmit data to a sensor system for signal post-processing and analysis. The information obtained from these systems can provide meaningful gait characteristics that are useful for assessment of fall risk4.

Some insole-based sensors incorporate inertial measurement units such as accelerometers and gyroscopes to obtain additional gait characteristics. They can also be used for evaluating long-term chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease1.

In addition, some insoles can be used to detect sudden changes in the distribution of foot pressure. This can be a sign of an impending fall, and it could help to prevent injuries and improve overall balance.

Researchers at the National University of Singapore have recently developed a wearable insole that is capable of predicting when someone is about to fall by analyzing electrical signals from the feet. The device, called the INVIZA Sole 1.0, can be worn inside any regular footwear and features an inertial measurement unit, GPS module, and pressure sensors. It can also harvest mechanical energy from the wearer’s footsteps, and it will recharge as they walk, run or exercise.
Alarm Systems

Fall detection is a common feature found in many medical alert systems. When the device detects a fall, it will usually send an alert to a monitoring center, where an associate will assess whether or not emergency help is needed. Many of these systems will also allow you to press a button if you’re able, in order to communicate with the agent to let them know that you’re okay and that you don’t need help.

Many of these devices rely on the use of accelerometer sensors to recognize falls. The acceleration measurements are collected, filtered and processed by an algorithm to distinguish high intensity movements from normal activities. The results are compared with a pre-defined threshold to detect the presence of a fall. The resulting signal is transmitted to a server which provides the elderly’s location information and sends an alarm short message.

Most medical alert systems will require you to pay an upfront equipment cost and a monthly monitoring fee. Personal medical alarms The fees can vary depending on the provider, so it’s best to shop around to find a system that works for your budget. Look for a company that offers a range of medical alert devices, including those that are water resistant and can be worn in the shower or bathtub. Additionally, make sure that your chosen system has 24-hour emergency response, as this is one of the most important aspects of a medical alert system.
Read More: https://personalmedicalalarm.com/