Motion Capture Concussion Assessment Using Skeletal Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing cranial-concussion or its sequelae are subjective and prone to human error, leading to improper recovery and increased risk of further injury, particularly in athletes, due to limited diagnostic accuracy and potential bias.
Innovation Solution
A system using commercially available motion capture hardware, such as smartphones, to analyze skeletal tracking, joint angles, and neuromuscular balance, providing a quantitative measure for cranial-concussion or sequelae detection, and guiding return-to-play decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If human medical professionals perform cranial-concussion assessment, then the assessment can be performed with current medical expertise, but the diagnosis is subjective and prone to human error and bias
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the human medical professional's subjective assessment mechanism with an automated computer-based system that uses motion capture technology and algorithms to objectively measure and analyze neuromuscular function, thereby eliminating human error and bias while improving diagnosis accuracy and consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables athletes to perform self-assessment of their neuromuscular function using the motion capture technology, allowing them to independently monitor their recovery status without relying on subjective human evaluation, thus improving both accuracy and reliability of concussion assessment
2Reliability
If traditional subjective assessment methods are used, then the assessment process is simple and quick, but the recovery determination is inadequate and increases risk of further injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs motion capture hardware that serves multiple functions: it tracks skeletal movement, analyzes neuromuscular function, assesses balance, and monitors recovery progress, thereby achieving reliable concussion assessment without requiring multiple separate complex devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses motion capture technology as an intermediary tool that objectively bridges the gap between simple assessment and complex medical diagnosis, providing reliable recovery determination through quantitative measurement of neuromuscular function without requiring overly complex assessment protocols
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive neuromuscular analysis is performed to accurately determine concussion, then the diagnosis accuracy improves, but the assessment time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary skeletal tracking and motion capture during routine athletic activities or pre-participation screenings, so that when concussion assessment is needed, the baseline data is already available, reducing the time required for comprehensive neuromuscular analysis while maintaining high detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The motion capture system continuously monitors neuromuscular function throughout the recovery period, providing ongoing assessment data that enables accurate concussion detection without requiring repeated lengthy evaluation sessions, thereby reducing total assessment time while maintaining precision
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations, a system calculates an indication of cranial-concussion or sequelae from a cranial-concussion of a subject using skeletal tracking and calculating joint angles at different time points from the motion, posture, jumping/landing mechanics and/or balance of the subject in different movements.