News - SAF-T VEST™ fall injury protection

Hooked on the SAF-T VEST

Davenport SAF-T Systems lands a Runner-Up finish at 2024 Walleye Tank

Davenport SAF-T Systems advisors Mae Davenport (left) and Brian Kohlbeck (center), along with Co-Founder Ryan Davenport celebrate a Runner-Up finish at the spring 2024 Walleye Tank.

MINNEAPOLIS (March 18, 2024) – Minnesota’s walleye opener may still be weeks away, but Davenport SAF-T Systems only needed two minutes to attract some promising nibbles.

The company was named a Runner-Up in the 2024 spring Walleye Tank pitch competition at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. The recognition includes a $4,000 cash prize and the iconic Walleye Tank trophy.“I’m grateful to be able to participate in this fantastic event and share the SAF-T VEST story,” he said. “We received so much positive feedback from attendees. Then to be named a Runner-Up tells me we’re clearly on the right path.” More than 40 start-ups applied to Walleye Tank and 13 were chosen to pitch. Each pitch was limited to two minutes, followed by four minutes of questions from the judges.

“All the start-ups made compelling presentations,” Davenport said. “It was a privilege just to be in the room with these amazing companies to hear their pitches.” The sold-out event drew 250 people to the 3M auditorium. Walleye Tank was also livestreamed to accommodate even more people.

Since debuting its SAF-T VEST prototype in December of 2023, Davenport SAF-T Systems has been increasing its visibility. In January, the company exhibited the SAF-T VEST from a booth at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It was featured in the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, and later was part of a Minneapolis Star Tribune article about founders overcoming challenges to develop and show off their big ideas.

About the SAF-T VEST
Davenport SAF-T Systems is developing the SAF-T VEST to reduce devastating injuries from falls. More than one in four older adults in the U.S. falls each year and 20% result in a serious injury, such as a broken bone or a head injury. Jay A. Davenport, M.D., Co-Founder and chief medical officer, designed the SAF-T VEST following a 30-year career as a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon. The SAF-T VEST uses a motion sensor to detect a person’s fall in real time. Airbags inflate in less than a half-second, then deflate to absorb the impact of the fall—from the hips to the head. The SAF-T VEST is a patented (U.S. Patent #10,879,938 B2) technology designed to reduce healthcare costs and help older adults remain active and independent. More at davenportsaftsystems.com.

Davenport SAF-T Systems announces pre-seed funding round following pivotal fall demonstration results

Capital to support next round of tests using adult volunteers

The SAF-T VEST prototype demonstrates successful backwards fall protection while fitted to a life-sized mannequin. The video was prominently displayed at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

MINNEAPOLIS (March 13, 2024) — After c reating a buzz at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show, and demonstrating it’s new fully-functioning prototype, Davenport SAF-T Systems is already working to hit its next big milestone.

“We’ve had a very successful stretch of accomplishments,” said Ryan Davenport, the company’s co-founder. “Our prototype demonstrated a new level of fall injury protection–now we need to prove this technology is ready to start keeping people safe.”

In December, the company unveiled its first fully-functional SAF-T VEST prototype. The wearable device was fitted to a life-sized mannequin. After confirming the system was active, the mannequin was gently tipped backwards from an upright position. A slow-motion video shows the SAF-T VEST inflating its system of airbags around the mannequin’s upper torso and head, including the hips, back, chest, shoulders, and neck. This protective “coccoon” of air formed in less than half a second, before the mannequin struck the floor. The airbags rapidly deflated as contact was made, absorbing the impact of the fall.

Davenport called the demonstration a major engineering milestone.

“If an older adult fell backward in the same way it could be catastrophic,” he said. “This was an important test because all contact with the floor from the lower back to the head was cushioned by the airbags” he said.

Main attraction

The video was a major attention-getter at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. The company was invited to attend and exhibit at the show by the U.S. Commercial Service and CES officials. Davenport said the decision to attend was easy since the prototype milestone had been reached about a month earlier. The exposure and networking opportunities increased the start-up’s visibility and credibility. About a week after the show, the company was featured in the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal in a special section called Minne Inno. Read the article. Give the extra spotlight from the story, the company turned its attention to fundraising.

Outreach to investors

Davenport said the time was right to open a pre-seed round of funding.

“We have momentum and some positive attention, so the opportunity to leverage this moment and formally announce the round makes sense,” he said.

The company is seeking a $500,000 raise to support development of two additional prototypes, engineering modifications and the first-ever safety and performance studies while the SAF-T VEST is worn by healthy adult volunteers. The research would be led by Tanvi Bhatt, Ph.D., lead scientific advisor to the company and professor of physical therapy and rehabilitation sciences at University of Illinois Chicago. The tests would involve 20 adults all at least 65 years old or older and would be conducted in a controlled setting in Dr. Bhatt’s lab. Results of the test would help the company prepare for it’s next phase of development: large scale pilot studies.

“We’re ready to show the world that fall injuries can be mitigated with lightweight, wearable technology,” Davenport said. “We look forward to further collaboration with Dr. Bhatt and her team,” because it means we’ll be on the cusp of our biggest milestone yet.”

Unintentional fall death rates increase, Minnesota 3rd highest in the nation

Minneapolis start-up engineering innovative solution: fall injury protection

MINNEAPOLIS (December 1, 2022) – Minnesotans 65 years old and above are dying from unintentional falls at the 3^rd highest rate in the nation, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Coincidentally, a Minnesota start-up is developing a solution that has nothing to do with fall prevention. Davenport SAF-T Systems, founded by an Iron Range orthopaedic surgeon, is focusing on fall injury protection.

The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, reports death rates from accidental falls increased nationally among adults aged 65–74, 75–84, and 85 and over a 20-year period between 2000 through 2020. Read the report.

Other key findings include:

Men fall more often than women (70.3 to 61.8, per 100,000 population) among adults 65 and older, according to 2020 data.
Non-Hispanic white adults had the highest rates of unintentional fall deaths in 2020 compared with other race and Hispanic-origin groups.
The U.S. rate of unintentional fall deaths for adults aged 65 and over was 65.6 in 2020, with rates varying by state.

Wisconsin and Vermont are the only two states with a higher rate of unintentional fall deaths than Minnesota.

“Fall injuries among older adults are a public health crisis,” said Ryan Davenport, co-founder, and CEO at Davenport SAF-T Systems. “Prevention strategies haven’t solved the problem, but we can absolutely reduce the injuries they cause.

The company is developing wearable smart technology that will detect a fall in progress and deploy airbags to absorb the impact, reducing the risk of injury. The SAF-T VEST was designed by Jay A. Davenport, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon from northern Minnesota.

“The SAF-T VEST will provide an alternative to an individual who is subject to falling,” Dr. Davenport said. “When a person is standing and walking, it anticipates a sudden change in their center of gravity, then initiate an inflation of airbags that would form a kind of cocoon around the individual so that the impact is markedly diminished.”

The company is working with a Twin Cities engineering firm and collaborating with a fall researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago. It plans to apply for a grant from the National Institutes of Health to further develop and test the SAF-T VEST.

The risk of falling increases with age. Experts say talk to your healthcare provider about ways to reduce the risk. Exercise and other physical activity can help. Removing fall hazards in the home is important. But falls continue to occur. According to the CDC study, the greatest increase in unintentional fall deaths for both men and women was among adults aged 85 and over. The rate for women nearly tripled from 99.2 in 2000 to 269.8 in 2020, while the rate doubled for men from 145.4 to 329.6 during the same period.

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Davenport SAF-T Systems appoints leading expert in fall risk
reduction to its development team

Tanvi Bhatt, Ph.D., will help lead safety and performance testing of the SAF-T VEST

MINNEAPOLIS (Feb. 15, 2022) – Davenport SAF-T Systems named Tanvi Bhatt, Ph.D., to its team of scientific and clinical advisors. Bhatt is a professor of physical therapy and rehabilitation sciences at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).

“Dr. Bhatt brings unmatched expertise in fall research and the study of fall risk reduction, which makes her an extraordinary addition to our team,” said Ryan Davenport, CEO and Co-founder of Davenport SAF-T Systems. “She will play a critical part in testing and evaluating the SAF-T VEST as a novel solution to reduce injuries from falls.”

As lead scientific advisor Bhatt will help engineers in the development of the advanced vest prototype. She’ll also design and oversee safety and performance testing at the Clinical Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory at UIC.

Dr. Bhatt is considered a leading expert in the study of falls and the neuromechanical basis for balance recovery after slips and trips while walking. She has conducted extramurally funded research since 2012 and has been published in 100 peer reviewed journals. She has presented her research widely, including at several prestigious national and international conferences.

Davenport SAF-T Systems seeks to raise $350,000 in funding from angel and institutional investors. It is also pursuing a federal research grant from the National Institutes of Health, in partnership with Dr. Bhatt.

The funding supports development and testing of the SAF-T VEST, a patented, wearable “smart” vest that provides 360-degree fall protection. In 2015, the direct medical cost of fall injuries in the U.S. topped $50 billion.

Jay A. Davenport, M.D., a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, invented the SAF-T VEST to reduce devastating injuries from falls. The vest uses smart technology to detect and respond to a fall in progress. A system of airbags inflates in a fraction of a second to absorb the impact of the fall. The airbags protect fracture-prone areas of the body, from the hips to the head.

Davenport SAF-T Systems receives $28,000 Innovation Grant from Launch Minnesota

SAF-T VEST™ developer says the gift will support building and testing an advanced prototype

MINNEAPOLIS (February 4, 2022)—Davenport SAF-T Systems continues to raise its profile. The Minneapolis start-up received a $28,000 Innovation Grant from a new state program called Launch Minnesota. The award comes just weeks after the company demonstrated a prototype of its patented, wearable fall protection device.

“We are thrilled to receive this award because it validates our work and inspires us to keep pushing,” says Ryan Davenport, CEO and Co-Founder of Davenport SAF-T Systems. The company is developing the SAF-T VEST™, a 360-degree fall injury protection system.

Launch Minnesota is a new state program created to boost Minnesota’s start-up community.

The grant pays out on a matching basis. It provides one dollar for every two dollars spent by the company, up to $28,000. The funds will be used to support building and testing an advanced SAF-T VEST prototype.

In December, the company unveiled a first-generation working prototype. The milestone was achieved in collaboration with the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering. The prototype performs three key functions. It detects a fall in progress. It inflates a forward-facing, donut-shaped airbag. Then it deflates the airbag to absorb the impact of the fall. The entire response takes less than 0.5 seconds.

Davenport says the grant could help attract investors. The company is raising $350,000 in pre-seed funding. Work is underway to secure a grant from National Institutes of Health as well.

“We’ve made so much progress over the past 12 months, starting with the U.S. Patent in January 2021, being selected to the Mass Challenge early-stage accelerator, and then demonstrating our first-generation prototype,” Davenport says. “This grant is further proof we’re headed in the right direction.”

About the company

Davenport SAF-T Systems is developing the SAF-T VEST (U.S. Patent No.10,897,938), a wearable “smart” vest designed to reduce the risk of devastating injuries in falls. In 2015, the direct medical cost of fall injuries in the U.S. topped $50 billion.

The SAF-T VEST was invented by Jay A. Davenport, M.D., a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon. Using smart technology, the SAF-T VEST detects and responds to a fall in progress. It deploys a system of airbags in a fraction of a second to absorb the impact of the fall. Fracture-prone areas of the body are protected, from the hips to the head.

See it to believe it: SAF-T VEST first generation prototype goes on display

Two-year project with University of St. Thomas School of Engineering yields proof of concept and evidence of feasibility

ST. PAUL (December 8, 2021)—Davenport SAF-T Systems unveiled its patented SAF-T VEST™ proof of concept and first-generation prototype at the Senior Design Show at the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering.

This test of the SAF-T VEST prototype demonstrates how the donut-shaped airbag deploys in a fall.

“This is an incredibly important day because seeing is believing,” said Ryan Davenport, CEO and co-founder of Davenport SAF-T Systems. “We’ve known for a long time this idea would work but we also understand that saying it and showing it are two different things.”

Thanks to a robust collaboration with the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering, the company tapped the skills of two groups of senior engineering students. The 2020 SAF-T VEST team began its work by meeting over Zoom with the inventor, Jay A. Davenport, M.D., a retired orthopaedic surgeon. They learned why the vest was needed, how it was designed to protect fracture-prone areas of the body and all the different ways people can fall.

The students say they were motivated to succeed because of the importance of the project.

“It is exciting to work on a real engineering project for the purpose of helping others,” said Rahaf Bahajry, a mechanical engineering student and a member of this year’s SAF-T VEST team.

Rahaf Bahajry, a senior mechanical engineering major at University of St. Thomas, discusses the SAF-T VEST™ prototype at the Senior Design Show in St. Paul.

As seen in the above video, the prototype deploys only one airbag, which is designed to offer protection in a forward fall. The more advanced wearable technology envisioned by the founders will feature a network of airbags providing fall injury protection from the hips to the head, no matter which direction the user falls.

However, this prototype demonstrates all the core functions of the future version. For example, it:

Recognizes, with onboard motion sensors, when an imminent fall is about to happen.
Inflates a customized airbag in less than a third of a second.
Deflates rapidly so the airbag absorbs the impact of the fall.

“The student engineers have done sensational work,” said Dr. Davenport. “They’ve demonstrated that fall injury protection is feasible and therefore necessary. They’ve also shown how the
SAF-T VEST can help older adults in a forward fall avoid severe injury and remain active and independent.”

The Senior Design Clinic affords students the opportunity to gain experience working with outside industry, while companies receive high-level engineering services and a glimpse at some talented job-seekers.

Next steps
Davenport SAF-T Systems is seeking up to $350,000 in seed funding through venture capital or angel investors. It is also applying for research and development grants from allied industries and government agencies. The money will be used to build on the work of the St. Thomas engineers to create an advanced prototype suitable for human studies and rigorous testing. The company is also collaborating with a noted expert in fall detection from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

About the Company
Davenport SAF-T Systems is developing the SAF-T VEST (U.S. Patent No. 10,897,938), a wearable “smart” vest designed to reduce the risk of injury in falls. Injuries suffered from falls are a public health crisis. In 2015, the direct medical cost of fall injuries in the U.S. topped $50 billion.

The SAF-T VEST was invented by Company founder Jay A. Davenport, M.D., a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon. It’s equipped with sensors that continuously monitor the user’s center of balance. When an unrecoverable fall is detected, a microprocessor triggers a network of airbags to inflate in a fraction of a second, absorbing the impact of the fall and deflating rapidly for a soft landing. The airbags protect the pelvis, hips, upper extremities and head.

Inflating expectations: UST engineers achieve “blink of an eye” fall protection response

Phase two SAF-T VEST ™ milestones build on last year’s impressive achievements

ST. PAUL — A new team of University of St. Thomas School of Engineering students has been at it for more than five months, solving a lengthy list of engineering challenges to help a Minnesota start-up get its big idea—using wearable technology to reduce devastating injuries from falls—off the ground.

For example: How do you inflate a donut-shaped airbag in less than half a second? Answer: Fill it with compressed air. Sounds easy.

Turns out, it’s much easier said than done.

UST seniors Aaron Fernandes and teammates Houa Chea, Dinesh Nathan and Rahaf Bahajry are hard at work on phase two of a first-generation wearable technology called the SAF-T VEST™. This lightweight “smart” vest, powered by rechargeable batteries, relies on motion sensors, a tiny processor and a system of airbags that will inflate if it detects the user is falling.

Fernandes said the fact that this project could eventually help millions of people avoid devastating injuries from falls makes it more meaningful.

“I also enjoy solving difficult engineering problems,” Aaron said.

Exciting finish

The SAF-T VEST™ senior design team poses outside O’Shaughnessy Science Hall in St. Paul.
Pictured from left: Houa Chea, Rahaf Bahajry, Dinesh Nathan and Aaron Fernandes
[Photo: Liam Doyle, University of St. Thomas]

In December, the phase two SAF-T VEST proof of concept will be on display at the annual Senior Design Show. This year’s team focused on achieving faster inflation as well as rapid deflation of the vest’s forward facing doughnut shaped airbag. This design feature builds on important progress achieved by last year’s senior design team and provides critical protection in a forward fall.

Houa and Aaron were tasked with building the actuator. The actuator is a trigger mechanism that punctures the seal of the CO₂canister to release the right amount of gas to fill the airbag in the blink of an eye. They performed air flow rate calculations, which in turn helped them determine how big the canister needed to be, the volume of the airbag and the size of the valve opening. By achieving faster inflation, at just 0.31 of a second, the team overcame one of the bigger engineering challenges.

“My favorite part about this project is the creative freedom I have,” Houa said. “I’m also gaining a bunch of knowledge about fall injuries and how CO₂canisters work.”

Soft landing

Dinesh and Rahaf focused on another critical requirement—airbag deflation. If the airbag is too firm when it hits the floor, there can be a rebound effect that can cause a traumatic brain injury called contrecoup. Initial tests showed some air diffused through the airbag fabric. But they needed more deflation. They solved this problem by adding just the right amount of tiny holes, allowing more CO₂to escape. By creating a softer, more cushioned landing the SAF-T VEST user is protected from serious injury.

Work on the SAF-T VEST started in 2020, by another talented group of UST engineers. That team successfully integrated the SAF-T VEST power source, the sensors, the microprocessor, and the inflation mechanism.

Ryan Davenport, CEO and Cofounder of Davenport SAF-T Systems, says the teams’ combined efforts—to demonstrate the feasibility and potential benefits of the SAF-T VEST—will help him make a stronger pitch for more funding from private investors or government research agencies. The company is seeking $350,000 in seed funding to build 3-5 fully functioning SAF-T VEST prototypes. Designed by orthopaedic surgeon Jay A. Davenport, M.D., the SAF-T VEST will provide 360 degree fall injury protection from the hips to the head.

“Once again, I’m so impressed by these incredibly smart, enthusiastic engineers,” Ryan Davenport said. “It’s been a terrific two-year collaboration and we’re incredibly grateful. Because they’ve helped us demonstrate how to solve a $50B public health crisis—by using wearable technology to reduce devastating injuries from falls and help older adults remain active and independent.”

Davenport SAF-T Systems selected for MassChallenge 50^thAccelerator program

The start-up is one of more than 200 from around the world—and the only one from Minnesota—selected to participate in this year’s early-stage accelerator program

MINNEAPOLIS (June 28, 2021)—Davenport SAF-T Systems is putting the pedal to the metal.

The Minnesota start-up announced today that it has been selected to participate in MassChallenge—one of the largest and most respected accelerator programs in the world. To learn more about the 2021 cohort: who they are, where they’re from, and their backgrounds, click here.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to engage with other startups, learn from leading entrepreneurs, and connect with so many in the investor community,” said Ryan Davenport, vice president and co-founder of Davenport SAF-T Systems. “It just feels like our pace of development has already increased,” he said.

Davenport said the program will help the company build a successful business strategy, set goals and achieve critical milestones, including raising seed funding to support advanced prototyping with a commercial engineering firm.

By participating in the highly competitive four-month accelerator, the company receives access to what have traditionally been closed networks that have characterized the startup community for decades. This year’s early-stage accelerator program received more than 3,000 applications from around the world. MassChallenge charges no fees to the participants and takes zero equity.

“We’ve come a long way since 2017,” said Jay A. Davenport, M.D. founder, and inventor of the company’s novel SAF-T VEST™. “We’ll keep at this because we know fall injuries are a public health crisis. The SAF-T VEST will reduce injuries and preserve independence for older adults.”

The SAF-T VEST is designed to provide 360-degree fall injury protection. The light-weight smart vest is equipped with motion sensors that detect a fall in progress and inflate a system of airbags around the user. The airbags absorb the impact of the fall and protect fracture-prone areas of the body. According to the CDC, one in four older Americans falls each year. Twenty percent of fall injuries require medical care in a hospital.

The company has already begun its second phase of early-stage prototyping, in collaboration with the School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.

About MassChallenge
MassChallenge is the global network for innovators. Headquartered in the United States with seven locations worldwide, MassChallenge equips bold entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and to create meaningful change. Since launching in 2009, more than 2,900 MassChallenge alumni have raised $8.6B in funding, generated $3.6B in revenue, and created more than 186,000 total jobs. Learn more at masschallenge.org.

About Davenport SAF-T Systems
Davenport SAF-T Systems is developing the SAF-T VEST, a wearable “smart” vest designed to reduce the risk of injury in falls. Injuries suffered from falls are a public health crisis. In 2015, the direct medical cost of fall injuries in the U.S. topped $50 billion.

The SAF-T VEST, conceived by company founder Jay A. Davenport, M.D., a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, is equipped with sensors that continuously monitor the user’s center of balance. When an unrecoverable fall is detected, a microprocessor will trigger a network of airbags to inflate in a fraction of a second, absorbing the impact of the fall and deflating rapidly for a soft landing. The airbags protect the pelvis, hips, upper extremities and head.

Patience and persistence bring U.S. Patent
No. 10,897,938 B2

The SAF-T VEST™, invented by a Minnesota orthopedic surgeon, receives a U.S. Patent

MINNEAPOLIS (February 4, 2021)—Jay Davenport’s five-year wait is over.

The retired northeastern Minnesota orthopedic surgeon began pursuing his novel idea to protect millions of older adults from dangerous fall injuries back in 2016. These were just the sort of traumatic injuries he often treated surgically in his own practice in Hibbing and Virginia. Now his idea—a wearable technology called the SAF-T VEST—is protected by a U.S. patent.

“Fall injuries are a serious public health crisis,” Davenport said. “Getting the patent was a lesson in faith and persistence. There were no guarantees when we filed the application, but we felt it would be crucial to the success of the invention.”

Davenport and his son Ryan are co-founders of Davenport SAF-T Systems. The company’s patent, no. 10,897,938 B2, will remain in effect until 2038, as long as the start-up continues to pay the required maintenance fees.

A prototype of the SAF-T VEST is in development through a collaboration with the School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas (UST). Ryan, a 1989 graduate of UST, is leading the push to commercialize the invention.

Rather than preventing the fall, the SAF-T VEST, a comfortable lightweight garment, detects a fall in progress with a system of tiny sensors. The sensors then send a signal to a computer which triggers a system of airbags to inflate in a fraction of a second to absorb impact. The bags then rapidly deflate to prevent a bounce-back effect, which can cause a concussion.

“A serious fall can bring terrible, life-changing consequences for older adults. A fractured hip or traumatic brain injury could mean surgery, a long and difficult rehabilitation and the end of living independently.”

Drawings as seen in the SAF-T VEST U.S. patent document

Jay is the first-named inventor on the patent. Nathan Max, an engineer from Lakeville, Minn. is also listed in the patent. Max researched and validated Davenport’s design while studying at Iron Range Engineering (IRE) at Mesabi Range College in Virginia. IRE is a four-year satellite program of Minnesota State Mankato.

So far, the Davenports have bootstrapped most of the costs of the development. The goal is to use the prototype to attract private investors, or to secure a federal grant from the National Institutes of Health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated three million people in the U.S. are rushed to hospitals each year due to fall injuries. At least 300,000 older people in the U.S. are hospitalized for hip fractures each year; more than 95% of these injuries are caused by falling. At least one in four adults over 65 fall each year.

Most strategies to reduce fall injuries focus on preventing falls. While laudable, fall prevention efforts have had mixed results. “It only takes one fall to suffer a life-changing injury,” Dr. Davenport said. “Unfortunately, gravity never takes a day off.”

The SAF-T VEST is a novel application of existing technology. It is validated by the recent emergence of upper body, wearable airbag systems in use today for high-speed activities including motorcycling and downhill skiing.

Jay Davenport says there are few fall protection systems in existence today. The SAF-T VEST advances fall injury prevention, reduces healthcare costs and helps seniors maintain their independence. The direct medical cost of fall injuries is more than $50 billion annually when adjusted for inflation, and experts say it could increase to $67 billion. In the past decade, the death rate from falls in older adults increased 31%.

Sauser joins Davenport SAF-T Systems Advisory Board

MINNEAPOLIS (February 5, 2021)–Kate Sauser has been named to the Davenport SAF-T Systems Advisory Board.

Sauser drives award-winning marketing strategies in the consumer, shopper and B2B sectors. She specializes in the development and execution of creative, go-to market strategic frameworks for category expansion and new product innovation. Her work has received special recognition at corporations such as 3M and NTE. With more than 10 years of marketing experience, Kate brings deep knowledge in eCommerce, omni-channel and brick and mortar. She has also held previous roles as marketing lead at companies such as Amazon, Walmart and Target.

Kate holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in retail merchandising and buying management. Sauser is the first new addition to the eight-person Advisory Board since its inception in August 2020. She and her family reside in St. Paul, Minn.

Pioneering UST student engineers transform SAF-T VEST™ design concept into first generation prototype

ST. PAUL (October 28, 2020) – In his pursuit of a prototype that could demonstrate the true potential of the SAF-T VEST™, Ryan Davenport was advised to check with the School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas.

“I should have known,” he said to himself.

Davenport, a 1989 graduate of what was then the College of St. Thomas, met five senior engineering majors who were eager to get to work on the project. The school’s Senior Design Clinic was a perfect fit for his early stage start-up.

(From left to right) UST students Xaye Thao-Pha, Abdulaziz Aldalbahy, Justin Brittain, Sam Gregerson and Emily Walsh; PHOTO: MARK BROWN/UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS

The SAF-T VEST is a “smart” vest designed for older adults at risk for falling. Tiny onboard motion sensors can detect a person’s fall in progress. A microprocessor triggers a system of airbags to inflate in a fraction of a second. The airbags absorb the impact of the fall and reduce the risk of injury.

What’s next
The student engineers are building the start-up’s first-ever prototype, suitable for testing and generating critical data. The company plans to use

the prototype to attract private investors or to qualify for a federal research grant. The SAF-T VEST protects fracture-prone areas of the body, including the hips, back, arms, neck and head. According to the CDC, at least one in four older adults falls each year. The average hospital cost for a fall injury is $30,000.

“Emily, Xaye, Abdulaziz, Justin and Sam are engaged in pioneering work that ultimately will help millions of older adults remain active longer in life while protecting their health and independence,” Davenport said. “It is so exciting to track their progress and see the prototype evolve. Best of all—these are great people with bright futures ahead of them.”

The Senior Design Clinic matches student teams with sponsoring companies with projects requiring engineering services. The students get real world experience working with a client to achieve measurable results.

Sponsors like Davenport SAF-T Systems benefit by receiving up to 1,000 hours of high-caliber work on their projects, and an opportunity to build a connection with UST’s emerging engineering program, faculty and students. The company still faces significant expenses as it prepares to make its pitch for angel investment and government research grants. [Learn how you can help Davenport SAF-T Systems, a pre-revenue early start-up, by making a donation.]

“What I enjoy most about the project is designing the electrical components that bring this device to life. I get to put what I’ve learned over the years into practice and it has been very satisfying,” said Xaye Thao-Pha, a senior electrical engineering major.

Each year the School of Engineering has about 35 Senior Design Clinic teams made up of 130 graduating seniors.

SAF-T VEST™ receives “Notice of Allowance” from U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Designation signals wearable technology has been
approved for U.S. patent protection

MINNEAPOLIS (September 22, 2020) – Jay A. Davenport, M.D., founder of Davenport SAF-T Systems, always felt his SAF-T VEST™, a wearable technology he invented to reduce the risk of devastating injuries from falls, was a novel solution.

Now the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) agrees.

This morning the company received a “Notice of Allowance” on its U.S. patent application, which was filed on January 27, 2016.

“We’re thrilled,” Davenport said. “We’ve been waiting to hear those three words for a long time.” The Notice of Allowance means the company’s application for a U.S. patent has been approved.

Davenport, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, often cared for patients injured in falls over the course of his 29-year career. He later developed the SAF-T VEST to help them remain physically active and independent.

“Rather than try to prevent falls, which may be impossible, our idea was to develop a comfortable system that protects people in case they do fall.”

Achieving a patent for the SAF-T VEST is a major milestone for the company. It sends a clear message to investors and other funding organizations that the concept for the SAF-T VEST is original. It can help the organization raise venture capital and provide a competitive advantage in the market.

While the notice itself does not formally grant patent rights to the company, it means the company must simply reply to the USPTO and pay the issue fee. The formal U.S. patent for the SAF-T VEST is then typically issued in a matter of weeks.

The vast majority of the company’s patent claims were allowed, according to the USPTO’s notice, describing them as “fully considered and persuasive.”

About Davenport SAF-T Systems
Fall injuries are a public health crisis. in 2015, the direct medical cost of fall injuries in the U.S. topped $50 billion. Jay A. Davenport, M.D., a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, designed the SAF-T VEST, a wearable tech solution, to reduce the risk of injury in falls. The SAF-T VEST is equipped with sensors that continuously monitor the user’s center of gravity. When an unrecoverable fall is detected, a microprocessor will trigger a network of airbags to inflate in a fraction of a second, absorbing the impact of the fall and deflating rapidly for a soft landing. The airbags protect the pelvis, hips, upper extremities and head. Learn more at davenportsaftsystems.com.

Davenport SAF-T Systems announces formation of company advisory board

Seven-member board brings expertise in orthopaedic surgery, mechanical engineering, finance, communications, senior care, product development, social science and research

MINNEAPOLIS (July 15, 2020) – In another important milestone in its mission to reduce devastating injuries from falls among adults 65 and older, Davenport SAF-T Systems™ has announced the formation of its first-ever company advisory board.

Members of the board will share key technical and professional advice and counsel as the company develops its novel wearable technology to reduce injuries from falls—a public health crisis and $50 billion drain on healthcare in the U.S.

“We are thrilled to welcome this group of distinguished experts to our team,” said company founder and chief medical officer Jay Davenport, M.D. “In order for us to develop the SAF-T VEST™ to help seniors maintain their health and independence, we needed an advisory board with deep experience in key disciplines critical to our success. We’ve certainly accomplished that with these individuals.”

Meet the advisory board

Lance Silverman, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery. He founded his independent practice Silverman Ankle and Foot in 2005. Dr. Silverman is a board-certified member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. He received his medical degree in 1996 at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He served a four-year residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Mich., and was awarded a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Silverman and his family reside in Minneapolis.

Brian Kohlbeck is chief financial officer at Phillips Distilling Company. Brian has extensive corporate finance experience at General Mills, Best Buy, Lands’ End and Gander Mountain. He has a proven track record delivering business results and driving financial performance as a financial and operational leader. He also brings strong skills in strategic planning and analysis, new business model development and innovation, acquisition and divestiture analysis and business restructuring. Brian and his family reside in St. Paul.

Dan Sullivan is a senior consultant with the AMK Group. Dan is a product management and technical expert with deep experience in product development and managing profit and loss business and programs. He has delivered results and defined business and organizational strategy at companies such as Daikin Applied Americas, Target and Honeywell. Dan holds a BS degree in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota. He also has an MBA from the Carlson School of Management. He and his family live in New Prague, Minn.

Mae Davenport, Ph.D., conducts social science research for human and community well-being and their connections to the natural environment. She is motivated by research that addresses real-world problems. Dr. Davenport’s work aims to reduce uncertainty for decision makers, promoting social justice and improving environmental sustainability. As a professor at the University of Minnesota, she is trained in social-behavioral human subjects research (NIH, Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative), data security, research ethics, and fiscal responsibility. Mae and her family live in St. Paul.

Joel Prevost is a healthcare leader with more than 17 years of experience in long-term care and aging services. He’s led campuses and communities including home care, hospice, palliative care, TCU, assisted living, long-term care, adult day and creative arts through life-long learning. Joel embraces the potential role of technology to improve long-term care. He has experience partnering with innovators to bring virtual reality to seniors to improve quality of life. Joel holds a B.A. from Montana State University and an MBA from Augsburg University in Minneapolis. Joel and his family live in Golden Valley, Minn.

Steve McCarthy is a leading health care communications strategist in the Twin Cities with more than 15 years of experience in a variety of settings. With his strong background as a writer and producer in broadcast journalism, Steve has a proven record of driving results at healthcare systems including Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, Park Nicollet Health Services and UnitedHealth Group. Steve provides executive level-counsel to help organizations elevate visibility, boost reputation and build pride, trust and loyalty among employees. He and his family live in Mendota Heights, Minn.

Chris Narveson is a mechanical engineering lead at Nextern in White Bear Lake, Minn. Nextern collaborates with innovators, clinicians, and companies to create, iterate, optimize, and manufacture best-in-class medical devices. Previously, he provided technical leadership and management guidance at Caztek, a full-service product development and engineering analysis firm in St Paul. Chris has consulted with Davenport SAF-T Systems on our product design and development. He holds a B.S. in aerospace engineering from Iowa State University, and a M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of St. Thomas. He and his family live in Minneapolis.

About the founders

Jay A. Davenport, M.D., a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, is principal investigator and chief medical officer at Davenport SAF-T Systems. He brings a deep clinical knowledge of bone and joint injuries caused by falls and the biomechanics of a fall. Dr. Davenport’s background as a registered physical therapist effectively intersects with his training as a surgeon to guide the development of a solution to a problem for which he’s uniquely qualified to address. His goal: to create a safe, effective solution that will reduce the consequences of losing one’s balance and falling. Dr. Davenport seeks to address a critical issue facing the nation: the soaring cost of care for our rapidly aging population. In his surgical practice, he cared for patients from across Minnesota’s vast Iron Range, an area dotted with small mining towns about 75 miles north of Duluth. In Dr. Davenport’s nearly 30-year career, a large segment of his surgical practice involved treating elderly patients injured in falls. He received his medical degree from the University of Kansas and served his residency at Dickson-Dively Midwest Orthopaedic Clinic in Kansas City, Mo.

Ryan Davenport has worked in healthcare delivery and medical device communications for more than 20 years. As owner of DavenPR, L.L.C., he provides strategic PR/media relations counsel to a variety of clients, including those in healthcare and medical device. Prior to starting his own firm, Ryan worked for a Fortune 500 medical device company in corporate communications. He brings deep insight into technical product research and development, clinical trials and commercial product launches. He worked closely with device engineers, clinical trial designers, scientific investigators and clinical consultants. Prior to that he was a media relations and public affairs expert at Fairview Health Services, he helped manage communications for hospital grand openings, groundbreaking treatments and complex care model innovations.

Davenport SAF-T Systems™ advances to semifinal round in nationwide MOST FUNDABLE COMPANIES competition

MINNEAPOLIS (July 3, 2020)—In its campaign to generate capital and investor support, Davenport SAF-T Systems continues to generate positive impressions from the start-up community.

The company has been notified it has advanced to the semi-final round of consideration to make the annual list of Most Fundable Companies. The competition is sponsored by the Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School in Malibu, Calif.

As a semi-finalist, Davenport SAF-T Systems is now one of a select group of approximately 100 companies chosen from more than 4,500 participants nationwide.

“This is great honor for our startup, and further validation the SAF-T VEST™ is an ideal investor opportunity because we are addressing a critical unmet need in the market with a novel approach,” said Ryan Davenport, vice president of Davenport SAF-T Systems. “Just making the cut to an elite group of 100 innovative companies out of 4,500 applicants shows people are noticing the important work we’re doing.

Top companies selected from the next round will be featured this October in the 2020 Most Fundable Companies List, which includes recognition in a national publication, such as Entrepreneur Magazine.

Davenport SAF-T Systems has already submitted detailed information to competition judges who will evaluate factors including the company’s strategic business plan, progress, market opportunity and organizational structure.

Competition officials expect to notify companies of their final selections in August.

Help us reduce fall injuries
To help us reach our next goal—to build a working prototype suitable for testing and modifications, Davenport SAF-T Systems has launched a GoFundMe campaign. Your donation of any amount will be used to help us meet a host of expenses – legal fees, engineering costs and research. Most of our progress to date has been self-funded, with more than $30,000 invested from our own resources. Make a donation here.

About the Company
Davenport SAF-T Systems is developing the SAF-T VEST, a wearable “smart” vest designed to reduce the risk of injury in falls. Fall injuries among older adults are a public health crisis. In 2015, the direct medical cost of fall injuries in the U.S. topped $50 billion.

The SAF-T VEST, conceived and designed by Company founder Jay A. Davenport, M.D., a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, is equipped with sensors that continuously monitor the user’s center of balance. When an unrecoverable fall is detected, a microprocessor will trigger a network of airbags to inflate in a fraction of a second, absorbing the impact of the fall and deflating rapidly for a soft landing. The airbags protect the pelvis, hips, upper extremities and head.

University of St. Thomas Engineering Students to advance SAF-T VEST prototype

MINNEAPOLIS (July 9, 2020)—In a major step forward, Davenport SAF-T Systems™ is collaborating with a team of senior engineering students at the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minn.) to develop a first-generation prototype of the SAF-T VEST™.

As a senior design clinic sponsor, Davenport SAF-T Systems, including founder Jay A. Davenport, M.D., will provide guidance to these young engineers and answer key questions about the device as they move through various stages of development.

In return, the team will update the company on their progress and any challenges they may be facing along the way. The students will generate critical data necessary to building a prototype that functions as designed.

As the project sponsor, the company pays a fee to the University of St. Thomas to cover project expenses, including materials used to develop the prototype. While that is a phenomenal bargain in the world of engineering and technology development–it presents a challenge for the company as a small, non-revenue startup.

The company has set up a Go Fund Me site to help defray these costs and meet other expenses as the SAF-T VEST moves closer to commercial launch. Your donation of any amount will help advance this critically important work. Learn more about our campaign.

About the Company
Davenport SAF-T Systems is developing the SAF-T VEST, a wearable technology designed to reduce the risk of injury in falls. Injuries suffered from falls are a public health crisis. In 2015, the direct medical cost of fall injuries in the U.S. topped $50 billion.

The SAF-T VEST, invented by founder Jay A. Davenport, M.D., a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, is equipped with sensors that continuously monitor the user’s center of balance. When an unrecoverable fall is detected, a microprocessor will trigger a network of airbags to inflate in a fraction of a second, absorbing the impact of the fall and deflating rapidly for a soft landing. The airbags protect the pelvis, hips, upper extremities and head.

GoFundMe campaign to drive prototype development, patent fees

Davenport SAF-T Systems, developer of the SAF-T VEST, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to aid in the development of this innovative, wearable technology. The crowdfunding campaign, called “Stand Up for Fall Protection, has set a goal of raising $5,000.

“We’re just so amazed and thankful for the support we’ve already received,” said Ryan Davenport, vice president, Davenport SAF-T Systems. “We believe in this technology and the fact that so many folks are getting behind us and spreading the word about our campaign confirms just how much our solution is needed.” Donations will help defray costs associated with engineering and patent fees. Learn more about the campaign.

Nationwide poll reveals widespread concern among seniors about risks of fall injuries; support for a solution

MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 8, 2019) A survey commissioned by Davenport SAF-T Systems reports strong awareness of the problem of injuries from falls, and a willingness to consider the potential of a new, wearable solution.

Nearly 400 adults ranging in age from 45 to 75 and above from across the country were asked about their level of concern for fall injuries and their impressions of the potential for a wearable fall protection solution.

Among the key findings: More than 8 in 10 adults age 45 to 75+ reported concern about the risk of a fall injury—either for themselves or for a loved one. About 77% of those surveyed believed the SAF-T VEST, as described, could reduce fall injuries. Further, 67% of adults age 55 to 75+ reported they would consider wearing the SAF-T VEST to protect them in a fall. And among adults age 45-54, 44% said they would recommend the device to a loved one.

Finally, perhaps most compelling, a full 90% of those surveyed considered the SAF-T VEST to be “new and different” from what is currently available.

The survey, conducted in July, involved 383 adults. Results were considered accurate to within +/- five percentage points.

Davenport SAF-T Systems named semifinalist at 2019 MN Cup competition

MINNEAPOLIS (June 28, 2019)–Davenport SAF-T Systems was named a semifinalist at MN Cup, an annual competition of emerging Minnesota entrepreneurs. With nearly 1,000 entrants, the company is among just 88 start-ups selected to advance to the semifinal round.

“MN Cup has been a great experience for us,” said Ryan Davenport, VP at Davenport SAF-T Systems. “We’re honored to be advancing to the semifinal round of competition, but the best part of this experience is meeting so many talented people developing such great ideas. The support and knowledge we’re gaining is tremendous.”

MN Cup was established in 2005. It is a program of the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship at the Carlson School of Management. Entrepreneurs from across the state participate in MN Cup for a chance to win cash prizes. The program also connects these new businesses with tools, resources and support to launch and accelerate the development of their new ventures.

Davenport SAF-T Systems is competing in the Impact Ventures division, for start-ups pursuing goals that would benefit a large segment of society.

This is the first year Davenport SAF-T Systems has participated in MN Cup. The company was established in January 2017 by Jay A. Davenport, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon from northern Minnesota. Dr. Davenport is developing a wearable technology–a smart vest–that is designed to reduce injuries from falls.

The SAF-T VEST(TM) is patent pending. The company is seeking capital to build working prototypes. In early April the company resubmitted a federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant application to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help pay for costs associated with prototype development and early testing. The company’s original grant request was submitted in 2017. Although the application was not funded at the time, Davenport received positive and constructive feedback for the device’s novel approach to reducing injuries from falls.

In August, the company will submit a formal business plan, an investor slide presentation and a one-minute video to MN Cup. The materials will be formally reviewed by judges. The top three entrants in each division advance to a final round of competition.