Briggs Health Solutions develops the Smart Hip Guardian, a wearable belt that uses smart sensors to detect imminent falls and inflates an airbag within 0.2 seconds to cushion the hip and prevent fractures. The lightweight, discreet device is clinically validated, includes a companion app for monitoring and caregiver alerts, and targets seniors, caregivers, and healthcare providers aiming to reduce fall‑related injuries and costs.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Falls among seniors are frequent and costly, with about 15 million incidents annually, a 50% chance of repeat falls within a year, and over $50 billion in U.S. healthcare expenses. Hip fractures from falls carry high medical costs and mortality risk, creating a critical need for preventative protection.
Solution
The Smart Hip Guardian is a wearable belt that detects the difference between normal movements and an imminent fall using integrated smart sensors. When a fall is predicted, the system inflates an airbag within 0.2 seconds to cushion the hip before impact, aiming to prevent fractures. The device is lightweight, discreet, and fastened with a quick‑snap buckle, allowing users to wear it like a fanny pack without hindering daily activities. Clinical testing—including over 25,000 trials and an 18‑month dynamic fall study at the University of Pittsburgh—demonstrates its ability to reduce impact forces. A companion mobile app monitors device status, alerts caregivers when a fall occurs, and provides data to help reduce future incidents.
Target Audience
Primary customers are seniors and their caregivers, as well as assisted‑living facilities, home‑health agencies, and healthcare providers seeking to reduce fall‑related injuries and costs.
Features
- Smart‑sensing belt with accelerometer and algorithm to distinguish falls from routine motions
- Rapid‑deployment airbag that inflates 0.2 seconds before impact to protect the hip
- Compact, fanny‑pack‑sized form factor with a quick‑snap buckle for easy, discreet wear
- Clinically validated through >25,000 tests and an 18‑month university fall study
- Companion smartphone app that tracks belt charge, readiness, and sends real‑time fall alerts to designated contacts
- Third‑party impact testing by National Technical Systems confirming force reduction performance