System and method to predict and avoid musculoskeletal injuries

US8942662B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION · US

Inventors

• Christopher S. Pan · Morgantown, US
• Shengke Zeng · Souderton, US
• Bryan Wimer · Morgantown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 15, 2013
• Grant date: Jan 27, 2015
• Expiry date: Feb 15, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2503/20
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A miniaturized, ruggedized, field-deployable Portable Exposure Assessment System (PEAS) is used to remotely monitor workers and provide real-time warning of exposure to musculoskeletal injury conditions via alarm and smart-phone transmission. The PEAS unit wirelessly acquires exposure data from sensors; conducts initial data analysis; triggers proximal and remote alarms; sends out text messages with abnormal data, GPS locations, and time stamps to a safety office; and saves data for more extensive assessment. Sensor technology is used in this field-deployable system to simultaneously measure and collect the body loads and awkward postures imposed by package handling as well as driving-related, low-frequency vibration exposures. Wireless technology is used to set up wireless communication links between the sensors and a data logger and between the data logger and a smart phone with GPS, date/time stamp and text messaging capabilities.