Fall detection solutions for improving safety of elderly

citizens - SensorBand project

Timo Jämsä and Maarit KangasDepartment of Medical Technology

Institute of BiomedicineUniversity of Oulu

and the SensorBand Consortium

Partners

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SensorBand I (2006-2007)

University of Oulu, Dept. Med. TechMethods for identifying fall events with

body-attached accelerometer(s)

Luleå University of TechnologyReal-Time Embedded Systems Design

System Level Power Management

Meri-Lappi Institute, University of OuluComponent reliability and failure analysis

Kalix Electropolis ABCareTech ABNational Semiconductor Finland OyElektrobit Wireless Communications

Body-attached real-time sensor for fall detection

Wireless technology, service platforms for older adults

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SensorBand II (2008-2011)

University of Oulu, Dept. Med. TechFall detection validation, fall mechanismLuleå University of Technology Development of fall detection systemFall epidemiology, fall detection validationUniversity of Oulu, Kemi-Tornio Unit Quality of system (components)

Research

Technology

Kalix Electropolis AB, CareTech AB Development of fall detection systemQuality of systemNational Semiconductor Finland OyQuality of system (components)Oulu Deaconess Institute, ODL User platform in FinlandKalix municipality User platform in Sweden

Real-life test3.6.2010 © Jämsä et al

SensorBand II Financiers

EU ERDF / Interreg IV A North programRegional Council of LaplandThe County Administrative Board of NorrbottenNorrbotten County CouncilNorrbottens ForskningsrådKalix municipalityKemin Digipolis OyCareTech ABNational Semiconductor Finland OyLuleå University of Technology

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Falls – challenging care & technology

The earlier the fall is reported, the lower is the rate of morbidity-mortality The use of automatic fall detectors decreases the fear of falling and improves the independence and the security Increases the quality of life Older adults are ready to use applications (acceptance)

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Fall detection concept

Fall detection using a triaxial accelerometer worn at the waist Simple threshold-based algorithmsFall detection sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 100% in laboratory environment

Kangas et al. Proc. IEEE EMBS 2007, Kangas et al. Gait Posture 2008, Gait Posture 2009

Impact (SVTOT) + end posture (z-axis)

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SensorBand II

Purpose: Test SensorBand fall detector in real life environment

– Long-term (~6-9 months) validation for fall detector prototype in real-life environment (e.g. residential home) with reasonable number (>30) of end-users (older adults)

Goals– Develop and build fall detection system for tests

(software/hardware)– Verify functionality of the system– Check quality and reliability of the system– Make research on activity and falls among elderly

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The sensor is built in a special designed plastic housing and contains following main functions• Battery, lifetime approx. 1 year• Radio signal transceiver• Accelerometer and microcontroller with sophisticated software• Manual alarm trigger

 

Sensor design

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• Wireless communication with sensors• Connects to the Internet • Always ”on-line” and connected to the database • Lifestyle and fall monitoring• Speech communication

Prepared for e-health and more ……

®

Fall detector Wrist trigger Smoke detector

E-health detectors

The residential home gateway CareIP®

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Database

System solution for the field trial

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The SensorBand groupTimo Jämsä, Maarit Kangas, Raija Korpelainen, Petteri Viramo, Kari Remes

Lars Nyberg, Irene Wikman, Jimmie Wiklander, Per LindgrenPeter Wallström, Peter Nilsson, Anders LundbäckArto Brushane, Anders Högström, Jerry Lindblom

Additional information on the booth #908

3.6.2010 © Jämsä et al