In one embodiment, a particular state of a body is sensed. In response to the sensing, at least one action is taken to modulate a projected adverse interaction between the body or a portion thereof and at least one object in the environment of the body.

An apparatus, methods and computer program product, and system are described that enable a first subset of actuatable cushioning elements for a first time period, enable a second subset of actuatable cushioning elements for a second time period, determine an event, and actuate, based on a time the event is determined, at least one of the first and the second subsets of actuatable cushioning elements to provide cushioning support for an object. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

An apparatus, methods and computer program product, and system are described that enable a first subset of actuatable cushioning elements for a first time period, enable a second subset of actuatable cushioning elements for a second time period, determine an event, and actuate, based on a time the event is determined, at least one of the first and the second subsets of actuatable cushioning elements to provide cushioning support for an object. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining

In one embodiment, a particular state of a body is sensed. In response to the sensing, at least one action is taken to modulate a projected adverse interaction between the body or a portion thereof and at least one object in the environment of the body.

An apparatus, methods and computer program product, and system are described that enable a first subset of actuatable cushioning elements for a first time period, enable a second subset of actuatable cushioning elements for a second time period, determine an event, and actuate, based on a time the event is determined, at least one of the first and the second subsets of actuatable cushioning elements to provide cushioning support for an object. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

An apparatus, methods and computer program product, and system are described that enable a first subset of actuatable cushioning elements for a first time period, enable a second subset of actuatable cushioning elements for a second time period, determine an event, and actuate, based on a time the event is determined, at least one of the first and the second subsets of actuatable cushioning elements to provide cushioning support for an object. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining

A system for providing wearable inflatable impact protection, the system having a wearable airbag garment, a first airbag chamber connected to the wearable airbag garment, an airbag igniter connected to the first airbag chamber, a controller connected to the airbag igniter, a sensor array connected to the controller, and a power source connected to the controller. The sensor array detects at least one of use, movement, location, and acceleration of the wearable airbag garment. The controller triggers the airbag igniter to inflate the first airbag chamber in a case where the controller determines at least one of a set of performance criteria has been exceeded.

A system for providing wearable inflatable impact protection, the system having a wearable airbag garment, a first airbag chamber connected to the wearable airbag garment, an airbag igniter connected to the first airbag chamber, a controller connected to the airbag igniter, a sensor array connected to the controller, and a power source connected to the controller. The sensor array detects at least one of use, movement, location, and acceleration of the wearable airbag garment. The controller triggers the airbag igniter to inflate the first airbag chamber in a case where the controller determines at least one of a set of performance criteria has been exceeded.

A wearable airbag device includes an airbag that is inflatable with an inflation gas, and an outer cover that covers an outer circumference of the airbag and is configured to hold the airbag as inflated. The airbag includes: two protecting portions each of which is configured to cover an outer side of the trochanter of femur of the wearer at airbag deployment; and a communicating path that is configured to provide gas communication between the two protecting portions at vicinities of upper end regions of the protecting portions. The outer cover includes, in the upper edge, a wrap portion that is adapted to be wrapped around the pelvis of the wearer. The outer cover further includes a means for suppressing each of the protecting portions from floating away from the body of the wearer at airbag deployment.

The invention features methods and devices for controlling bleeding from blood vessels that may be damaged as a result of trauma or impact with an object, such as a bullet or shrapnel. The device may be wearable by a user and include one or more components, such as wound sealant and multiple inflatable balloons/bladders. The device may be integrated into a garment, e.g., a vest, jacket, trousers, or full body suit. Once triggered (automatically or manually), the device may be used to deliver wound sealant to a wound site and/or pressure to the wound site by selective inflation of one or more balloons over exsanguinating blood vessels that may be damaged, thereby stopping or minimizing the bleeding. Alternatively, or in addition, the device may be used to stabilize a wounded wearer for, e.g., transportation purposes, or to provide buoyancy. Devices of the invention may also be used as a blood pressure monitor, as a massaging device, and as a breast pump.

Devices and methods of the invention may also be used for repairing or stabilizing machines, such as vehicles (e.g., automobiles and boats).

The invention features methods and devices for controlling bleeding from blood vessels that may be damaged as a result of trauma or impact with an object, such as a bullet or shrapnel. The device may be wearable by a user and include one or more components, such as wound sealant and multiple inflatable balloons/bladders. The device may be integrated into a garment, e.g., a vest, jacket, trousers, or full body suit. Once triggered (automatically or manually), the device may be used to deliver wound sealant to a wound site and/or pressure to the wound site by selective inflation of one or more balloons over exsanguinating blood vessels that may be damaged, thereby stopping or minimizing the bleeding. Alternatively, or in addition, the device may be used to stabilize a wounded wearer for, e.g., transportation purposes, or to provide buoyancy. Devices of the invention may also be used as a blood pressure monitor, as a massaging device, and as a breast pump.

Devices and methods of the invention may also be used for repairing or stabilizing machines, such as vehicles (e.g., automobiles and boats).

A wearable airbag device for protecting the hip of a wearer includes an airbag that is formed of a sheet material having flexibility and is adapted to be put on a circumference of the pelvis of the wearer. The airbag is inflatable with an inflation gas. The airbag includes: a mounting portion that is adapted to be disposed at a region to be wrapped around the pelvis at airbag deployment; two protecting portions each of which is configured to extend downward from the mounting portion and cover an outer side of a targeted body part of the wearer at airbag deployment, the targeted body part being left and right trochanters of femurs; and a means for suppressing each of the protecting portions from expanding and floating away from the targeted body part at the lower end at deployment of the protecting portion.

A wearable airbag device for protecting the hip of a wearer from the surface they hit at fall includes an airbag that is adapted to be worn around the pelvis and inflatable with an inflation gas. The airbag includes two covering portions that are configured to cover outer sides of left and right trochanters of femurs of the wearer respectively at airbag deployment, and a means for suppressing an elevation of an internal pressure of the airbag at contact between the airbag and the surface at fall of the wearer.

A wearable airbag device for protecting the hip of a wearer from the surface they hit at fall includes an airbag that is adapted to be worn around the pelvis and inflatable with an inflation gas. The airbag includes two covering portions that are configured to cover outer sides of left and right trochanters of femurs of the wearer respectively at airbag deployment, and a means for suppressing an elevation of an internal pressure of the airbag at contact between the airbag and the surface at fall of the wearer.