Method of Calibrating a Data Recording Unit

Abstract

A method of calibrating a data recording unit for measuring head acceleration, including the steps of providing a data recording unit mounted to a head protector, mounting the head protector on a support, subjecting the head protector and support to a force or pressure, measuring acceleration of the head protector resulting from the force or pressure, measuring acceleration of the support resulting from the force or pressure, and determining a relationship between the measured acceleration of the head protector and of the support.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 746,370, filed Jun. 4, 2010, which is a national stage application of International Application No. PCT / CA2008 / 002124, filed on Dec. 8, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 996,855, filed Dec. 7, 2007, which are each incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for measuring and recording data from potentially injurious events to which humans may be exposed.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003]Embodiments of the present invention provide a data recorder adapted for mounting on a combat helmet to measure and record parameters indicative of head acceleration resulting from violent events such as violent impact and blast events. Despite current designs of head protection, exposure of a large number of soldiers to detonation of improvised explosi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]Embodiments of the present invention provide a data recorder adapted for mounting on a combat helmet to measure and record parameters indicative of head acceleration resulting from violent events such as violent impact and blast events. Despite current designs of head protection, exposure of a large number of soldiers to detonation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has resulted in a high occurrence of blast-induced traumatic brain injuries (TBI). TBI has been noted to lead to injuries ranging from headaches and mild concussions to severe casualties including severe concussions and memory loss. The data recorder enables data from violent events to be recorded and used to build a database of head acceleration data induced by violent events which may be correlated with injuries suffered. The data recorded from violent events may be used to correlate injuries, especially brain injuries, with event characteristics and severity, including accumulated dosage and long-term and chronic symptoms. The analyzed data may be used to determine optimal medical treatment based on instant analysis of event data and / or making longer term medical decisions. The data may be used to assess effectiveness of protective equipment, both in helmet technology and other applications.

[0004]Embodiments of the data recorder provide a small, light-weight, self-contained digital recording system, capable of recording acceleration waveforms experienced in violent events. Embodiments of the data recorder are designed to mount on helmets and monitor and record exposure to potentially harmful cranial events. Embodiments of the datalogger enable both the direction and magnitude of acceleration to be measured. In some embodiments, the data recorder includes three accelerometers that are each only sensitive to accelerations in a single direction (axis). The accelerometers are mounted orthogonally to measure the vector components of acceleration in three-dimensional space. Embodiments of the data recorder enable acceleration to be measured by all three accelerometers simultaneously, with the vector sum of their signals indicating both the direction of the acceleration and the magnitude of acceleration.

[0005]Embodiments of the data recorder include a power management system for reducing the amount of power consumed by the device to extend the time over which the device can remain operational in the field. In particular, the power management system provides a means of switching part(s) of the data recorder between active and inactive states so that power required by those parts to perform a particular function is only provided when the particular function is to be performed.

Problems solved by technology

Despite current designs of head protection, exposure of a large number of soldiers to detonation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has resulted in a high occurrence of blast-induced traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

TBI has been noted to lead to injuries ranging from headaches and mild concussions to severe casualties including severe concussions and memory loss.

Images