Register for free to
view the full innovation profile.
Standing work is hard on the body. Blood pools into the legs while standing causing many physiologic complications which affect performance. We can prevent this fluid pooling.
About
Long duration standing tasks, such as preparing a meal, results in extensive fluid pooling into the legs due to the influence of gravity on our bodies. Pooled fluid results in decreased cardiac output. Specifically, within minutes of taking a standing position, cardiac output can fall by 30% to 50% in individuals depending on the health status of their lower limb muscles, specifically, their soleus muscles, or second heart, muscles. Fluid pooling leads to numerous physiologic complications throughout the body, including chronic coldness, fatigue, venous failure, and cognitive decline. Correspondingly, these physiologic responses lead to significant environmental impacts. This would include increased energy use (in an attempt to stay warm), wasted food (due to cognitive mistakes while cooking/baking) and wasted human resources, as well as cooking and cleaning resources due to a slowing of work due to generalized fatigue. Sonostics has develop non-invasive, convenient to use, technology which can prevent this lower limb fluid pooling while performing standing tasks, and thereby prevent the physiologic complications and as well as the waste of energy, physical resources, and food waste arising in the kitchen. The technology can readily be embedded in, for example, a kitchen floor mat type of appliance which could be utilized in front of the stove, sink, or preparation counter in a kitchen when an individual is standing in these locations. The technology is inherently safe to use, has very low energy consumption, and is highly effective, capable of preenting, or completely reversing the effects of gravity on the the fluid pooling process. Sonostics is currently developing the technology for use in a seated application, as sustained sitting results in many of the same physiologic complications as standing. However, we see an opportunity here to develop the technology into an appliance which can be used by individuals performing standing tasks, specifically, in the kitchen environment, a market we have not previously pursued.
Key Benefits
High level of effectivenss Immediate improvement experienced by users, makes for a joyful experience Very low energy expenditure, durable good, minimal impact on environment Reduces healthcare costs Can be used by anyone in the home
Applications
Floor based applicance which could be utilized in front of the stove, sink, preparation counter, or other location in the kitchen or home where standing tasks are commonly performed. As long duration sitting has similar physiologic effects as long duration standing, opportunity for a product which could be used by an individuals in a seated position, for example under a dining table. Also potential for use outside of the home, such as in automobiles or planes during long distance travel where people are seated for exteneded time periods and so are at risk for very serious health complications such as deep vein thrombosis.