Apparatus for preventing neck injury, spinal cord injury and concussion

Abstract

An apparatus for preventing neck injury, spinal cord injury and concussion is disclosed. The apparatus includes a helmet, a body harness and a plurality of anchor assemblies connecting the helmet to the body harness. The anchor assemblies are adjusted to limit the cervical rotation, lateral bending, flexion and extension ranges of motion of a wearer to a predetermined set point, each anchor assembly including a plurality of guide members extending from the helmet to an anchor of the anchor assembly, the plurality of guide members being attached to the anchor.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention is directed to a device for preventing neck injury, spinal cord injury and concussion.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]A common problem faced in today's amateur and professional sports, particularly in contact sports such as hockey, football and lacrosse, is the issue of neck injury, spinal cord injury and concussion. Concussion can be caused by direct contact to the head, but also as a result of acceleration forces, both linear and rotational, to the neck and head. These forces may be experienced during a body check or tackle even without direct contact to the head. The effect of the force during such an event results in movement of the brain against the skull that causes disruption of cell function. Concussions can also occur from rotation, lateral bending, flexion and extension of the spinal cord, brain stem and blood vessels located in the upper cervical area around the C1 / C2 vertebral motor unit, which can occur during impact of...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a helmet that has a special mechanism to attach it to a body harness. The mechanism is made up of two parts that can be easily removed without needing to adjust the guide members or the point of attachment on the body harness. The helmet can be removed without restricting the movements of the player's body. The advantage of this mechanism is that it prevents injury without limiting the player's range of motion. It also reduces the risk of injury to other players and doesn't interfere with the player's ability to remove their helmet without having to adjust the device.

Problems solved by technology

A common problem faced in today's amateur and professional sports, particularly in contact sports such as hockey, football and lacrosse, is the issue of neck injury, spinal cord injury and concussion.

The effect of the force during such an event results in movement of the brain against the skull that causes disruption of cell function.

In either case, concussions result in altered brain function that may last for days, months or even years, and can also lead to depression and early onset dementia.

Despite these advances in helmet technology and rule changes, instances of concussion continue to increase at alarming rates.

Thus, concussions and spinal cord injuries that occur as a result of acceleration / deceleration forces continue to occur; helmet technology advances also do not address other potential brain and spinal cord injury.

While prior attempts to reduce the risk of neck injuries from helmet motions have been addressed, these prior attempts have been largely unsatisfactory for a variety of reasons.

Prior art devices for preventing neck injury are centrally located on the helmet and fasten the helmet rigidly to a support structure such that safe and effective play is not possible due to restrictions in the participant's head motion, and thus to his or her vision and responsiveness.

Exposed fasteners to the helmet present a hazard of injury to other players and in the case of entanglement, unexpected and potentially injurious head movement to the participant wearing the helmet.

Elastic straps attached to the helmet induce unnecessary fatigue to the participant during the course of the event.

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