SBIR/STTR Award attributes
PROJECT SUMMARY ABSTRACT Surefooted LLC is developing a novel type of physical therapy equipment with the potential to revolutionize fall preventionthe Surefooted TrainerTrainerinsenior citizens experience a fall each year and falls are the leading cause of death by an injury among those agedand olderCurrent treatments to prevent falls are inadequateThe Trainer consists of abyfoot platform with interchangeable surface platesThe entire platform shifts abruptly to produce perturbations as a user walks back and forth on it whilst protected by an overhead harnessThe Trainer aims to improve subjectsbalance skills that are both anticipatoryusing visual cues such as seeing an obstacleand reactivee gafter experiencing a sudden perturbationDynamic gait trainingi euser is walkinghas been shown to be more effective than static balance trainingThe Surefooted Trainer will potentially increase subjectsresistance to falls for a long period after a single training sessionThe first specific aim is to improve the durability of the Trainer and automate the training protocolThe second aim is to determine the effectiveness of aminute session on the Trainer during which subjects are exposed todifferent conditionsThe Surefooted Trainer is currently patent pendingUS Utility and international PCT applications were filed inAfter demonstrating the Trainer s effectivenessSurefooted LLC plans to bring the device to the market and anticipates that it will become the standard of care in preventive health for people at risk of suffering falls PROJECT NARRATIVE In this STTRSurefooted LLC seeks to optimize and demonstrate the effectiveness of a physical therapy training device and that has the potential reduce fall rates dramaticallyIf successfulthis will yield far reaching benefits for older adultsenhancing quality and longevity of lifeand societyreduction of financial burden
