Home-system design & system measurement of gait parameters to prevent fall in elderly people

Falls are among the most common and serious problems facing elderly persons. Falling is associated with considerable mortality and reduced functioning. Frequently, older people are not aware of their risks of falling, and neither recognizes the sign of fall. Sign of fall can be found from analyzing of gait pattern. The objective of this research is to study which gait pattern related to the risk of fall and also to create a device which is able to obtain the gait parameter. Some important gait parameters are defined which can determine the risk of fall such as variability in step time, high step length, large foot angle at heel strike, etc. Mat floor will be designed at this research project in order to obtain the gait parameters. The mat floor has two steps which are comprised of 32 flexi pressure sensors. Beside mat floor, accelerometer and inclinometer will be used to obtain other important gait parameters to determine walking pattern with high risk. By using those devices, seven types of walking will be simulated. One normal and six types of unbalance walking. The purpose of this experiment is to prove the capability of the devices to detect the walking instability. After all experiments have been done, all of the walking pattern is analyzed. If elderly show same characteristic with one of the six kinds of unbalance walking, it can be assumed that the elderly has risk of falling. Early report to doctor is required in order to prevent dangerous fall. Lastly, author will conclude this research project and also recommend some future developments.Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering