Mouthguard Impact Screening Using Placement Verification Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing impact sensing systems, such as those on helmets or mouthguards, often produce false positive readings due to loose helmet-to-head coupling, equipment drops, or improper device placement, making it difficult to accurately assess head impacts and resulting brain damage risks.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device with secured coupling to the user, incorporating a sensor for impact detection and a control sensor to verify device position, uses signal comparison to distinguish true positive impacts by analyzing pre- and post-impact control sensor readings, filtering out false positives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a proximity sensor is used to detect when the mouthguard is on the teeth, then device placement verification is improved, but false positive readings occur when users chew on the mouthguard or place objects in front of the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing system into multiple independent proximity sensors positioned at different locations (e.g., front, side, and back of the mouthguard). Each sensor monitors a specific zone, and the system requires a specific pattern of sensor activations to confirm proper placement. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between genuine placement (multiple sensors triggered in a specific sequence) and false positives (single sensor triggered by chewing or external objects).
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring proximity sensor readings and using this information to adjust the interpretation of impact sensor data. When proximity sensors detect that the mouthguard is not properly positioned (e.g., only one sensor activated, or sensors activated in an unusual pattern), the system flags or excludes corresponding impact readings as false positives. This feedback loop dynamically adjusts system reliability based on real-time placement verification.
2Ease of operation
If simple on/off switches are used to control the sensor, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because users may not consistently activate and deactivate sensors during required periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically activates and deactivates sensors based on detected conditions without requiring user intervention. The proximity sensors continuously monitor their environment, and the processing unit automatically determines when the mouthguard is properly positioned and when impact sensing should begin or end. This self-service approach eliminates the need for users to manually control the sensors, ensuring consistent operation while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification using proximity sensors before activating impact sensing. The proximity sensors detect mouthguard placement in advance, and only after proper placement is confirmed does the system activate the impact sensor for data collection. This preliminary action ensures that sensors are active only during appropriate periods, improving reliability without requiring manual user control.
3Reliability
If sensors are placed on the helmet to monitor impacts, then head impact monitoring is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to loose helmet-to-head coupling causing sensors to detect forces not transmitted to the head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the helmet and relocates it to the mouthguard, which maintains intimate contact with the teeth and skull. By moving the sensors to the mouthguard, the system eliminates the loose coupling problem inherent in helmet-mounted sensors. The mouthguard sensors directly detect forces transmitted through the teeth to the skull, providing accurate measurement of head impact forces without detecting spurious forces from helmet movement or loose coupling.
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 effectively identifies true positive impacts, reducing false positives and providing accurate data for assessing athlete workload and injury risk, with a reported sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 99.5%, enabling better monitoring and safer practices.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured for sensing accelerations associated with an impact event and for generating a signal based on the impact event
Implementation Method 2
a control sensor for sensing when the sensing device is in position for sensing
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for sensing true positive impacts may include a sensing device (108) configured for secured coupling to a user. The sensing device includes a sensor (112) configured for sensing accelerations of an impact and for generating a signal based on the impact, a control sensor (128) for sensing when the sensing device is in position for sensing, a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon for receiving and capturing the signal from the sensor, and comparing first and second signals from the control sensor to determine if the signal is a true positive signal. The system further includes a processor (116) for processing the instructions to capture the signal, perform the comparing, and identify the signal as a true positive signal. Method of sensing true positive impacts and of workload monitoring are also provided.