The award-winning Balance Assessment Device has received positive feedback from physicians and pediatricians. Image courtesy of Chula.
A new innovation by Chatchanee Pakavatsoontorn, a lecturer with Chulalongkorn University (Chula) Engineering, Thailand, checks body balance and balance loss for behavior changes and fall prevention to promote fall risk awareness and knowledge. The “Balance Assessment Device,” with only 2 main components, namely a standing platform and a USB cord, is not only user-friendly, but also compact, lightweight, and portable. The user can simply connect the USB cord to a tablet, a mobile phone, or a computer and then step onto the platform similar to a weight scale. The balance analysis result will then be displayed in real-time with Microsoft Excel.
“Apart from basic data such as weight and Body Mass Index, this device can also measure our balance area and distance,” said Pakavatsoontorn.
The Balance Assessment Device has implications for a variety of users, including elderly people; athletes; fitness enthusiasts; people with balance issues; dancers who want to strengthen their legs; factory workers, and more. It can also be used to assess child development.
“This innovation is a simple tool that can assist the doctor in assessing fall risks among elderly people, encouraging behavioral changes, promoting fall prevention, and raising fall risk awareness and knowledge,” said Pakavatsoontorn. “Anyone can use it to check their balance and status. It can help lighten the medical personnel’s load and create public well-being.”
The device is the gold medal winner at ITEX 2023, Malaysia, and recipient of World Invention Intellectual Property Associations’ (WIIPA) Special Award (Gold Medal).
