IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,602,278
Granted Patent B2
US 11,602,278 · App. 16/230,369 · Granted Mar 14, 2023

Apparatus for assessing user frailty

Inventor: Jason M. Johanning (Omaha, NE)
Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
A61B5/02055A61B5/01A61B5/1118A61B5/14551A61B5/225A61B5/748G06F9/451G16H40/63A61B5/021A61B5/024A61B2560/0456A61B2562/0219
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,602,278
App. No.
16/230,369
Granted
Mar 14, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for assessing user frailty is disclosed. In embodiments, the apparatus includes a housing that defines (or is defined by) a body and a handle coupled to the body. The apparatus includes a force sensor at least partially disposed within the handle. The apparatus further includes an inertial sensor at least partially disposed within the housing. The apparatus may further include a user interface device disposed within a cavity of the body. The user interface device may be coupled to the force sensor and the inertial sensor via one or more signal paths. In embodiments, the user interface device includes a controller with a touchscreen coupled to the controller.

Claims (77)

1. An apparatus for assessing user frailty, comprising:

a housing including:

a body;

a cavity defined within the body;

a handle coupled to the body by two legs; and

a sensor compartment disposed within the handle;

a force sensor at least partially disposed within the sensor compartment;

an inertial sensor at least partially disposed within the housing;

a user interface device at least partially disposed within the cavity, the user interface device being coupled to the force sensor and the inertial sensor via one or more signal paths between the handle and the body, the user interface device including:

a controller; and

a touchscreen coupled to the controller; and

a communication interface at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein the user interface device is coupled to the communication interface via the one or more signal paths, and wherein the controller is configured to:

receive height data, via the communication interface, based on triangulation with RF signals from at least three wall-mounted sensors to determine a location of the apparatus when the apparatus is held on a head of a user while the user is standing; and

determine at least one health metric for the user based on the received height data.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more signal paths extend through at least one of the two legs that couple the handle to the body.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:

receive grip strength data generated by the user via the force sensor; and

determine at least one grip strength metric for the user based on the received grip strength data.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:

receive ambulatory mobility data generated by the user via the inertial sensor; and

determine the at least one health metric for the user based on the received ambulatory mobility data.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:

receive timed-up-and-go data generated by the user via the inertial sensor; and

determine the at least one health metric for the user based on the received timed-up-and-go data.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:

receive weight data for the user from an instrumented scale via the communication interface; and

determine the at least one health metric for the user based on the received weight data.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one additional sensor including at least one of a blood oxygen sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a heartrate sensor, or a temperature sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing further includes at least one external connector, wherein the at least one external connector is configured to interface with at least one docking station connector, wherein the apparatus is one of a plurality of apparatuses, and wherein the apparatus is configured to be docked alongside the plurality of apparatuses within a docking station.

9. A system, comprising:

a server;

at least one apparatus for assessing user frailty coupled to the server via at least one communication link, the at least one apparatus comprising:

a housing including:

a body;

a cavity defined within the body;

a handle coupled to the body by two legs; and

a sensor compartment disposed within the handle;

a force sensor at least partially disposed within the sensor compartment;

an inertial sensor at least partially disposed within the housing;

a user interface device at least partially disposed within the cavity, the user interface device being coupled to the force sensor and the inertial sensor via one or more signal paths between the handle and the body, the user interface device including:

a controller; and

a touchscreen coupled to the controller; and

a communication interface at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein the user interface device is coupled to the communication interface via the one or more signal paths, and wherein the controller is configured to:

receive height data, via the communication interface, based on triangulation with RF signals from at least three wall-mounted sensors to determine a location of the apparatus when the at least one apparatus is held on a head of a user while the user is standing; and

determine at least one health metric for the user based on the received height data.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more signal paths extend through at least one of the two legs that couple the handle to the body.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to:

receive grip strength data generated by the user via the force sensor; and

determine at least one grip strength metric for the user based on the received grip strength data.

12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to:

receive ambulatory mobility data generated by the user via the inertial sensor; and

determine the at least one health metric for the user based on the received ambulatory mobility data.

13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to:

receive timed-up-and-go data generated by the user via the inertial sensor; and

determine the at least one health metric for the user based on the received timed-up-and-go data.

14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to:

receive weight data for the user from an instrumented scale via the communication interface; and

determine the at least one health metric for the user based on the received weight data.

15. The system of claim 9 , wherein the housing further includes:

at least one additional sensor including at least one of a blood oxygen sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a heartrate sensor, or a temperature sensor.

16. The system of claim 9 , further comprising:

a docking station with a plurality of docking station connectors, wherein the housing further includes at least one external connector, wherein the at least one external connector is configured to interface with at least one docking station connector of the plurality of docking station connectors, wherein the at least one apparatus is one of a plurality of apparatuses, and wherein the at least one apparatus is configured to be docked alongside the plurality of apparatuses within the docking station.

17. An apparatus for assessing user frailty, comprising:

a body;

a handle coupled to the body by two legs;

a sensor compartment disposed within the handle;

a force sensor at least partially disposed within the sensor compartment;

a cavity defined within the body, the cavity configured to receive a personal electronic device that includes an inertial sensor and a controller;

one or more signal paths configured to couple the personal electronic device to the force sensor; and

a communication interface at least partially disposed within the body, wherein the personal electronic device is coupled to the communication interface via the one or more signal paths, and wherein the controller is configured to:

receive height data, via the communication interface device, based on triangulation with RF signals from at least three wall-mounted sensors to determine a location of the apparatus when the apparatus is held on a head of a user while the user is standing; and

determine at least one health metric for the user based on the received height data.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the personal electronic device comprises at least one of a smartphone or a tablet.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the one or more signal paths extend through at least one of the two legs that couple the handle to the body.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising:

at least one additional sensor including at least one of a blood oxygen sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a heartrate sensor, or a temperature sensor.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2025
From: JOHANNING, JASON
To: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA; DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Reel/Frame 072484/0395 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 9, 2021
From: JOHANNING, JASON
To: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
Reel/Frame 057116/0852 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62610669 · Dec 27, 2017
Related Publication 20190192013A1 · Jun 27, 2019