Personal protection device

Abstract

A personal protection device can be used to protect individuals from falls. The device can be linked to a mechanical or electrical device, which triggers deployment of the device when the individual accelerates vertically. In this manner, a falling individual's injuries such as hip fractures, upper extremity injuries, and head injuries are minimized by the mediated gradual deceleration of the wearer of the device. The device allows mobility of the individual, because it is worn in a non-deployed compact form within a wearable article of clothing or belt. The device may also be used to protect non-ambulatory individuals who sustain falls from a bed or chair.

1 . A personal protection device comprising: 
 an article adapted for wearing by an individual;    an inflatable airbag at least partially disposed within the article;    a deployment mechanism disposed on at least one of the article and the airbag for deploying the airbag in response to a signal generated based on a status of the individual;    an inflation mechanism disposed on at least one of the article and the airbag for inflating the airbag, wherein the airbag protects the individual from injury; and    a mechanism for automatically deflating the airbag after at least one of an impact, a predetermined time period, and a changed status of the individual.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of a belt, a vest, a jacket, a back pack, a harness, a jumpsuit, and a pair of pants.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the article is disposed about a midsection of the individual.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is generated by an electro-mechanical sensor.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a sensor;    a microprocessor in electrical communication with the sensor; and    a set of instructions stored within the microprocessor, wherein the sensor sends the signal to the processor in response to an event and the set of instructions determines a response based on the signal.    
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of an accelerometer, a heart monitor, a radio receiver, a radio transceiver, an attached activation switch, an inclinometer, and a laser measuring device.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the response comprises triggering the deployment mechanism.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the sensor monitors at least one vital sign of the individual.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism for transmitting status data for at least one of the individual and the airbag.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanism transmits the data to at least one of a 911 operator, a preselected recipient, a medical facility, a paramedic, an ambulance, and a data storage module.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the data comprises at least one of heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rhythm, blood sugar, pulse oximetry, medical history, time of event, and airbag condition.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the data is transmitted wirelessly.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is capable of receiving data and being operated remotely.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the deployment mechanism is adapted to deploy the airbag in a predetermined configuration based on the signal, the airbag deployable in multiple configurations.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the accelerometer determines the direction the user is falling and signals to differently placed fasteners on the article to deploy the airbag in the direction of the user's fall by first releasing fasteners in the direction of the fall.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the airbag is deployed in a configuration to protect at least one of the individual's hips, back, face, upper extremities, lower extremities, abdomen, neck, and head.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a release mechanism for manually actuating at least one of the deployment mechanism and the inflation mechanism.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inflation mechanism comprises a gas release system capable of rapidly inflating the airbag; and a mechanism for initiating the gas release system.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the user interface includes at least one of a readout, an alarm, and an input device for adjusting an operating parameter of the device.  
   
   
       21 . A method of protecting an individual from injury, the method comprising the steps of: 
 fitting the individual with an article adapted for wearing by the individual; the article comprising: 
 an inflatable airbag at least partially disposed within the article;  
 a deployment mechanism disposed on at least one of the article and the airbag for deploying the airbag;  
 an inflation mechanism disposed on at least one of the article and the airbag for inflating the airbag;  
 a mechanism for automatically deflating the airbag; and  
   triggering the deployment and inflation mechanisms in response to a signal generated based on a status of the individual, wherein the airbag protects the individual from injury.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of triggering the mechanism for deflating the airbag after at least one of an impact, a predetermined time period, and a changed status of the individual.  
   
   
       23 . A personal protection device comprising: 
 an article adapted for wearing by an individual;    an inflatable airbag at least partially disposed within the article;    a deployment mechanism disposed on at least one of the article and the airbag for deploying the airbag in response to a signal generated based on a status of the individual;    an inflation mechanism disposed on at least one of the article and the airbag for inflating the airbag, wherein the airbag protects the individual from injury; and    electronic circuitry comprising: 
 a sensor;  
 a microprocessor in electrical communication with the sensor; and  
 a set of instructions stored within the microprocessor, wherein the sensor sends the signal to the processor in response to an event and the set of instructions determines a response based on the signal.