Physiological and neurological monitoring sportswear

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a physiological and neurological monitoring apparatus that monitors and satisfies the need for an improved buffer between the skull of a user and the impacting object so as to minimize the likelihood of neck and cranial injury. Further the helmet comprises a facemask for prevent concussions by absorbing the energy from an impact and redirecting the energy across the structure of the helmet shell. The embodiment comprises a helmet shell with elongated cheek guards and an elongated rear neck guard which follows the contour of the user's shoulder line and continues sufficiently below the head of said user to cover the rear neck of the user. These additions help prevent concussions by providing a larger surface of protection to especially weak areas that are prone to injury such as the rear of the neck and the lower jaw line.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. application Ser. No. 14 / 939,786, filed on Nov. 12, 2015, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62 / 078,814, filed on Nov. 12, 2014 and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62 / 110,524, filed on Jan. 31, 2015.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT[0002]N / ABACKGROUND OF INVENTIONField of the Invention[0003]The disclosure relates generally to the field of physiological monitoring, and more particularly, to athletic physiological-monitoring and injury-preventive sportswear.Background of the Invention[0004]In contact sports such as American football, injury is relatively common due to the collisions and force of impact between players. In addition to other forms of bodily harm experienced by players, concussions and other forms of head trauma stand out as physical harm that can be especially debilitating and capable of deteriorating a player's health over...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]An embodiment of this disclosure is directed to an apparatus that satisfies the need for an improved buffer between the skull of a user and the impacting object so as to minimize the likelihood of neck and cranial injury. The embodiment comprises a helmet shell with elongated cheek guards and an elongated rear neck guard which follows the contour of the user's shoulder line and continues sufficiently below the head of said user to cover the rear neck of the user. These additions help prevent concussions by providing a larger surface of protection to especially weak areas that are prone to injury such as the rear of the neck and the lower jaw line.

[0013]Another embodiment of this disclosure is directed to a facemask buffer system that satisfies the need for an improved buffer between the skull of a user and the impacting object so as to minimize the likelihood of neck and cranial injury. The embodiment comprises a facemask, set of guiding rods, and a set of springs, all of which ride within channels built within a helmet. The facemask is attached to first distal ends of a set of guiding rods; each guiding rod is fitted with a set of springs. The other distal ends of the guiding rods are attached to a helmet shell. The system is housed within channels that are built into the helmet shell so as to allow the facemask, guiding rods, and springs to move and absorb the energy of an impact from prescribed angles relative to the helmet. These additions help prevent concussions by absorbing the energy from an impact and redirecting the energy across the structure of the helmet shell. A further addition of a pressure sensor integrated within the buffer system allows for monitoring the amount of force absorbed by the facemask buffer system.

[0014]A further embodiment of this disclosure is directed to a chin strap buffer system that satisfies the need for an improved buffer between the chin of a helmet user and the impacting object so as to minimize the likelihood of a jaw injury. The embodiment comprises a chin guard, an air pouch, a fan, and two straps. The chin guard is shaped to receive the chin of the user. The fan sits within the center of the chin guard and is connected to the air pouch, which sits in the interior of the chin guard. The chin guard has a strap attached to either side and the straps are connected to a helmet shell. The function of the fan is to draw ambient air and supply the air to the air pouch, thereby keeping a constant air pressure within the air pouch. These additions help prevent injury to the jaw or chin of the helmet user by creating an air cushion between the user's chin and the chin guard that is capable of absorbing a direct impact. A further addition of an air pressure sensor integrated within the air pouch allows for monitoring the amount of force absorbed by the chin strap buffer system. Another addition of a tension sensor integrated with one of the straps allows for monitoring the amount of force absorbed by the chin strap buffer system.

[0015]A further embodiment of this disclosure is directed to a cranial buffer system that satisfies the need for an improved buffer between the skull of a user and the impacting object so as to minimize the likelihood of concussions and cranial injury. The embodiment comprises a helmet shell, air sleeve, and at least one fan. The fan sits in a helmet shell, which is shaped to protect the skull of its user. The interior of the helmet shell is lined with an air sleeve, which sits in between the skull of the user and the helmet shell. The function of the fan is to draw ambient air and supply the air to the air sleeve, thereby keeping a constant air pressure within the air sleeve. These additions help prevent injury to the skull of the helmet user by creating an air cushion between the user's skull and the helmet that is capable of absorbing impact energy. A further addition of an air pressure sensor integrated within the air sleeve allows for monitoring the amount of force absorbed by the cranial buffer system.

[0016]A further embodiment of this disclosure is directed to a cheek guard pad apparatus that satisfies the need for an improved buffer between the cheeks and jaw line of a helmet user and the helmet itself. The embodiment comprises a set of two pads, each individually comprised of at least two layers of material. An outer layer is made of a structurally stiff material such as plastic, and an inner layer is made of a softer material such as cloth, foam, memory foam, or gel, among others. This apparatus helps prevent injury to the cheek and jaw line of the user by allowing the helmet to shift with respect to the cheeks and jaw of the user without losing its snug fit around the user's skull.

[0017]A further embodiment of this disclosure is directed to a brain monitoring system that satisfies the need for monitoring the physiological health of a helmet user. The embodiment comprises a helmet insert, a set of electrodes, a microprocessor, and digital storage medium. The helmet insert is made of a soft material such as gel or foam so that it sits comfortably between the head of the user and the user's helmet. The helmet insert extends from the forehead of the user to the rear of the user's neck, behind the brainstem. A set of electrodes are embedded in the portion of the helmet insert that is in contact with the forehead of the user. The electrodes are therefore in constant contact with the forehead of the user while the helmet insert is in use. The electrodes are electrically connected to a microprocessor, which is itself connected to a digital storage medium. The microprocessor collects electrical brain activity data from the electrodes and uses specially-adapted software to compile the information and evaluate the health of the user. This data is then stored in the storage medium for later access. The electrodes, microprocessor, and digital storage medium are all embedded in the helmet insert, but are detachable for manual data uploading or downloading. This brain monitoring system allows for the brain activity and overall physiological health to be monitored constantly during the use of the helmet in training or gameplay. A further addition of a transmitter for transmitting data wirelessly to an outside receiver allows for third parties to be alerted of health concerns regarding the helmet user. A further addition of another set of electrodes placed on or near the rear neck allow for brain activity and physiological health data to be collected from the brainstem and / or spine for added data collection. A further addition of a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) screen, electrically connected to said microprocessor, facilitates in the reading of the user's neurological and physiological data. The brain monitoring system may further have speakers electrically connected to said microprocessor so that an alarm or alerting noise may be sounded to the user in the event that the brain monitoring system detects a health concern.

Problems solved by technology

In contact sports such as American football, injury is relatively common due to the collisions and force of impact between players.

In addition to other forms of bodily harm experienced by players, concussions and other forms of head trauma stand out as physical harm that can be especially debilitating and capable of deteriorating a player's health over time if not treated properly.

Moreover, although football players are fitted with injury-preventive athletic wear such as helmets, the current helmets are not capable of preventing concussions, entirely due to limitations in the material performance and design of the helmets.

Also, concussions are not readily detectable as the injury is not on the exterior of the body, but rather within the cranium of the injured player.

Subsequently, the player returns to the playing field and receives additional strikes to the head, thus increasingly deteriorating the player's physical health at a heightened rate.

Such helmets can disperse the force upon the skull of a player, thus decreasing the chance of concussion, but these helmets cannot eliminate the chance of a concussion entirely.

Moreover upon receiving a concussion, current helmets do not have the capability of aiding in the treatment of a concussion by measuring the forces exerted on the helmet or players' or monitoring the players' physiological health.

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