Mouth Guard Accelerometer Array for Head Impact Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for devices and methods to effectively measure both linear and angular acceleration of the head, particularly in athletes and soldiers exposed to impact forces, as existing technologies are inadequate in capturing the high-frequency and large-amplitude accelerations associated with head injuries.
Innovation Solution
A mouth guard and helmet system equipped with accelerometers that transmit data to processing circuitry to determine linear and angular acceleration, using a transfer function to correlate helmet data with mouth guard data for accurate head acceleration measurement, enabling the detection of head impacts and potential injuries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If accelerometers are placed in the mouth guard to measure head acceleration, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement function into two separate devices: a mouth guard containing accelerometers for direct head acceleration measurement, and a helmet containing processing circuitry for data analysis. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while improving overall measurement precision without excessive complexity in a single integrated device.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouth guard acts as an intermediary device between the head and the processing system. It contains accelerometers that directly contact the head to measure acceleration, serving as a mediator that transfers measurement data to the helmet's processing circuitry for further analysis and injury assessment.
2Measurement precision
If multiple accelerometers are spaced about the U-shaped element to capture angular acceleration, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acceleration measurement function is segmented across multiple accelerometers positioned at different locations around the U-shaped element. Each accelerometer measures linear acceleration in a specific direction, and the combination of these segmented measurements enables calculation of angular acceleration through data processing, improving precision without requiring a single complex sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from measuring only linear acceleration in one dimension to measuring acceleration in multiple dimensions by spacing accelerometers around the U-shaped element. This spatial arrangement adds dimensional complexity to the measurement array, enabling angular acceleration calculation through the relationships between multi-dimensional acceleration vectors.
3Measurement precision
If a transfer function is used to correlate helmet data with mouth guard data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer function is determined in advance through calibration procedures before actual use. This preliminary action establishes the relationship between mouth guard and helmet measurements, allowing the complex data processing to be performed more efficiently during actual impact events without requiring complex real-time calculations, thus improving precision while managing processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the mouth guard accelerometers to validate and refine the helmet's measurement system. By comparing the direct head acceleration measurements from the mouth guard with the helmet's measurements and using the transfer function to correlate them, the system continuously improves measurement precision through feedback-based calibration and validation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides precise measurement of linear and angular acceleration, aiding in the diagnosis and assessment of head injuries by correlating helmet and mouth guard data, facilitating informed decision-making in sports and military applications.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of accelerometers operatively associated with the U-shaped element. The plurality of accelerometers can be spaced from one another about the U-shaped element. Each accelerometer of the plurality of accelerometers can be configured to produce an output indicative of the linear and angular acceleration of the mouth guard
Data Source
AI summary
Mouth guards and related systems and methods for determining linear and angular accelerations of the head of a subject. A plurality of accelerometers are operatively associated with the mouth guard and spaced from one another about the mouth guard. The accelerometers produce outputs indicative of the linear and angular acceleration of the mouth guard. Optionally, the mouth guard can be used in conjunction with a helmet that is provided with a plurality of accelerometers spaced about the helmet. In use, the outputs of the accelerometers of the helmet can be correlated to the outputs of the accelerometers of the mouth guard.