I-Corps: Translation Potential of Head Impact Monitoring with Embedded Sensor Technology in Sports Helmets

I-Corps：运动头盔中嵌入式传感器技术的头部碰撞监测的转化潜力

• 批准号: 2416207
• 负责人: Xingwei Wang
• 金额: $ 5万
• 依托单位: University of Massachusetts Lowell
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2024-04-01 至 2025-03-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2416207&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Corps; Translation; Potential; Head; Impact

The broader impact of this I-Corps project is the development of a sensing technology for sports helmets that is designed to identify concussions. Currently, undetected concussions pose a significant risk, delaying treatment for athletes and exposing them to further neurological damage. This technology may reduce the recognition time for concussions and minimize additional brain injuries. The data collected will help identify trends, establish impact thresholds, and enhance accuracy and delivery interfaces. This information holds promise for neurological research and improvement of headgear technologies, facilitating progress in understanding concussion etiology. Creating a safer athletic environment promotes increased participation and better injury prevention, protecting brain health.This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with a first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of the technology. The solution is based on the development of a 125-micrometer blunt impact sensor technology designed as an add-on device for sports helmets. This sub-millimeter sensor leverages Fabry Perot interference principles. Upon collision or impact, alterations in the reflected light from the sensor induce changes in the interference pattern. Optical power fluctuations resulting from interference shifts caused by blunt force on the helmet are monitored through Q-point tracking using an algorithm. By providing real-time, quantifiable data, medical professionals and trainers are enabled to make data-driven decisions regarding the athlete's health, setting a new standard for accurately and promptly diagnosing concussions and other head injuries. This technology may provide a way for traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions, to be quickly monitored and treated.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

I-Corps 项目的更广泛影响是开发了一种用于运动头盔的传感技术，旨在识别脑震荡。 目前，未被发现的脑震荡构成了重大风险，延误了运动员的治疗并使他们遭受进一步的神经损伤。这项技术可以减少脑震荡的识别时间，并最大限度地减少额外的脑损伤。收集的数据将有助于识别趋势、建立影响阈值并增强准确性和交付界面。这些信息为神经学研究和头盔技术的改进带来了希望，促进了对脑震荡病因学的理解。创造一个更安全的运动环境可以促进更多的参与和更好的伤害预防，保护大脑健康。这个 I-Corps 项目利用体验式学习以及对行业生态系统的第一手调查来评估该技术的转化潜力。该解决方案基于 125 微米钝性冲击传感器技术的开发，该技术被设计为运动头盔的附加设备。这种亚毫米传感器利用法布里珀罗干涉原理。发生碰撞或冲击时，传感器反射光的变化会引起干涉图案的变化。使用算法通过 Q 点跟踪来监控头盔上的钝力引起的干扰偏移所导致的光功率波动。通过提供实时、可量化的数据，医疗专业人员和培训师能够就运动员的健康做出数据驱动的决策，为准确、及时地诊断脑震荡和其他头部损伤制定新标准。这项技术可以为脑震荡等脑外伤提供一种快速监测和治疗的方法。该奖项反映了 NSF 的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优点和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。