Patent for movement stabilization employing sensors, novel actors and control system in Smart Textiles

From the start, our goal was to prevent falling itself. Falls are the most common reason for people to require short- and long-term assistance and care – both at home and in hospitals. This objective meant examining the problem of how and when a fall actually begins. We did not aim to simply recognize a Fall as it is already happening, since at that point it will be too late to countervene. Evaluating walking profiles to monitor fall risk would on the other hand be too laborious since real time movements would have to be constantly fed into existing profiles and there would be a considerable risk of an adverse influence on medication regiments. Instead, we wanted to develop an easily adjustable and workable, light weight system, that is comfortable to wear in everyday life, aesthetically pleasing, of high quality and can be personalized. Further parameters, such as waterproof seams for easy cleaning, were developed by different research groups.

A person-dependend mathematical description of a body’s biomechanical movement based on the formalized basic movement as an inverse pendulum and possible strategies to prevent the fall was developed based on earlier research by physicists, orthopediologists and sport medicine specialists. Universitity hospitals, the Institute of Hygiene, rehabilitation clinics, and research groups from diverse universities brought their knowledge to this project. Our findings concerning market value analysis, distribution, possible recycling solutions, and statistical data based on numbers from EUROSTAT and Statista (Germany) have not been patented, but we will be happy to share all of them with a buyer.

Improved Quality of Life
Elderly people can finally participate in social interactions again. They are able to venture outside, go grocery shopping by themselves, meet with friends without any fear of falling and the connected dread of not being found by someone in due time. Athletes and hobbyists may test themselves in novel situations and gamers enjoy newly developed virtual reality appliances that challenge interactive movements without fear of harm. Its inconspicuous design allows for a free and unashamed employment in public. The market value of this system in Europe alone and focusing exclusively on elderly people with a disposition for falls has to be set in the billions, based on EUROSTAT numbers for deaths, medical emergencies and recovery costs connected to falls. Fewer falls mean fewer instances where home care, physical therapy and surgeries become necessary. The system can be employed to support the clients ability to live an active, engaging, healthy, self-sufficient life.