Optical Fibers in Carpet Could Warn Seniors

Manchester, England, Oct. 5, 2012 -- Researchers say it's possible to use plastic optical fibers in carpeting to warn seniors when their walking patterns might put them in danger of falling, according to a HealthDay News story.

The fibers, placed on a carpet underlay, sense a person's movement through electronics and sending signals to a computer where they can be analyzed.

The researchers from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, say their technology could be used in carpets in nursing homes, hospital wards and private homes.

The findings were presented recently at the Photon 12 optics conference at the University of Durham in the U.K.


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