Project Description:

Each year, more than one million inpatients experience a fall in the hospital, and nearly 30% of those falls result in injury. Yet for many of these patients, the greatest barrier to recovery isn’t the fall itself—it’s the fear that follows. High fall-risk patients who are otherwise cognitively engaged often spend days confined to their beds, not because they are physically incapable, but because they lack a safe way to move independently. This immobility leads to rapid deconditioning, increased dependence, longer hospital stays, and a diminished sense of dignity. This project aims to restore autonomy for high fall-risk patients through an assistive mobility device designed to support safe, independent movement. The system provides offloading walking support and integrates a built-in fall-arrest mechanism capable of supporting up to 400 pounds. Its intuitive auto-braking feature requires patients to actively grip the handles to release the brake, ensuring that movement only occurs when the patient is ready and balanced. By combining stability, protection, and patient-controlled mobility, the device empowers users to stand, walk, and perform essential daily tasks without requiring constant hands-on assistance from nursing staff. The impact extends far beyond safety. When patients regain confidence in their mobility, meaningful outcomes follow: fewer unassisted falls, shorter lengths of stay, reduced staff burden, and higher overall patient satisfaction. Hospitals benefit from improved throughput and decreased strain on nursing teams, while patients experience a renewed sense of identity and independence. Increasing independent mobility isn’t just a quality-of-care metric—it’s a pathway to giving patients their lives back. This device addresses the critical moment after a fall, transforming what is often a period of decline into an opportunity for recovery, resilience, and a stronger return home.