The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted marketing authorisation to ActiveProtective Technologies (APT) for its wearable fall protection device, the Tango Belt.
Cleared under the FDA’s breakthrough devices programme, the Tango Belt is intended to be used on prescription as a complement to standard care for older adults who are at risk of fall-induced hip fractures or dislocations.
The device employs sensors to continuously monitor the user’s movement and activates airbag protection in the event of a fall likely to result in hip impact.
According to ActiveProtective Technologies, the Tango Belt was associated with a 91% reduction in hip fractures among at-risk older adults when used alongside standard care in a multicentre clinical study conducted prior to market clearance.
ActiveProtective Technologies CEO Wamis Singhatat said: “With the FDA’s marketing authorisation and breakthrough device designation of the Tango Belt, we are proud to introduce an innovation that sets a new standard for safer mobility and fall injury mitigation for at-risk older adults.
“This is the culmination of over a decade of unwavering dedication by our team of developers and clinicians.”
The Tango Belt is designed for continuous daily use and is compatible with a companion mobile application. The app provides automatic alerts to family members or professional carers when a fall or significant impact is detected. The dashboard also includes metrics such as adherence and self-reported balance confidence, facilitating ongoing risk monitoring and intervention.
ActiveProtective Technologies stated that the device will be marketed as part of a broader strategy to reduce hospitalisation rates and long-term disability linked to fall injuries in older adults.
The firm is currently seeking collaboration opportunities with senior living operators, healthcare providers, and systems engaged in value-based care models. These care delivery models often focus on early risk detection and intervention to avoid costly emergency treatments.
The company’s long-term objective is to redefine standards of care associated with ageing in place by introducing connected health technologies targeted at high-risk populations. Its initial commercial and research focus remains on hip fractures, which represent a significant share of injury-related hospitalisations and long-term morbidity in older adults.
