ActiveProtective

ActiveProtective Technologies Inc. is a medical device company focused on addressing the significant healthcare issue of fall-induced hip fractures in older adults. The company was co-founded in January 2014 by Drew Lakatos, an engineer and entrepreneur, and Dr. Robert Buckman, a former combat surgeon and Head of Trauma at two Philadelphia hospitals. Dr. Buckman's experience in trauma centers, where he witnessed the severe consequences of falls on the elderly, inspired the company's creation. Lakatos, with a background in electrical engineering and previous startup experience, serves as a key business leader, while Dr. Buckman provides the foundational clinical and technical vision.

The company's flagship product is the Tango® Belt, a wearable smartbelt designed to prevent hip fractures. The device uses 3D motion sensors to continuously monitor the wearer's movements and detect a serious fall in progress. Just before impact, it deploys micro-airbags to cushion the hips, using a cold gas inflation method to avoid alarming the user. This intervention aims to mitigate the force of impact, thereby reducing the risk of fracture. A significant milestone was achieved on April 9, 2025, when the Tango Belt received FDA marketing authorization as a prescription-only medical device, following a Breakthrough Device Designation in November 2023. A multicenter clinical study demonstrated that the belt, when used with standard care, resulted in a 91% reduction in fall-induced hip fractures.

ActiveProtective operates in the growing geriatric care devices market, which is driven by an aging global population. The business model targets healthcare systems, senior living owner/operators, and providers, particularly those operating under Value-Based Care models who are incentivized to proactively reduce costly medical episodes like hip fractures. The Tango Belt is reusable if not deployed and comes in five adjustable sizes. Beyond fall protection, the belt connects to a companion mobile app via WiFi, which sends alerts to caregivers or family members upon detecting a fall. The app also tracks metrics like user adherence and balance confidence, providing valuable data for care management. To date, the company has raised over $8.9 million in funding through several rounds to support product development, clinical trials, and commercialization.

Keywords: fall prevention, hip fracture protection, wearable airbag, geriatric care technology, medical device, smart belt, motion sensors, elderly safety, remote patient monitoring, value-based care solutions, fall detection, connected health, aging in place, injury mitigation, assistive devices, senior mobility, clinical-grade wearable, FDA-approved medical device, healthcare technology, Dr. Robert Buckman, Drew Lakatos