Portable Sensor Module for Head Impact Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional helmet-based impact sensing systems are non-portable, costly, and require specialized teams to interpret data, failing to measure rotational acceleration and deceleration, which can lead to undetected diffuse axonal injuries and delayed medical attention, especially in activities outside sports.
Innovation Solution
A portable diagnostic sensing and reporting system that measures angular velocity and G-forces in 3 axes, using wireless communication to alert users and emergency services of impacts, and can be easily transferred between different protective gear items, incorporating sensors for toxic substances and oxygen levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional helmet-based impact sensing systems are used, then impact monitoring is provided, but the systems are non-portable and cannot be transferred between different protective gear
Solution Approach 1:
The impact sensing system is divided into separate modular components: a removable sensor module that can be detached from the helmet and a base unit that remains with the helmet. This segmentation allows the sensor module to be transferred between different protective gear items while the base unit stays fixed, resolving the contradiction between portability and system integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor module is extracted as a standalone component from the helmet system. It can be removed and transferred to different protective gear, while the helmet retains its base unit. This extraction enables portability without requiring complex reintegration of the entire sensing system.
2Reliability
If multiple impact sensing devices are distributed within protective headgear, then comprehensive impact coverage is achieved, but the distribution becomes complicated and time-consuming to transfer
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of distributing multiple separate sensing devices throughout the helmet, the system uses a single integrated sensor module that contains all necessary sensing elements. This segmentation into one complete module rather than multiple distributed components dramatically reduces the time required to transfer between helmets while maintaining comprehensive impact detection coverage.
3Reliability
If each helmet is outfitted with a separate impact-sensing device, then dedicated monitoring is provided, but the cost becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module is designed as a universal component that can be used with multiple different helmets and protective gear. Instead of requiring a dedicated sensing device for each helmet, one sensor module can serve multiple helmets sequentially, significantly reducing the total number of devices needed and lowering costs while maintaining dedicated monitoring capability during each use.
4Device complexity
If conventional systems only measure direct line acceleration, then simple measurement is provided, but rotational acceleration and deceleration remain undetected leading to missed DAI cases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module merges multiple sensing capabilities into a single integrated unit that simultaneously measures both direct line acceleration and rotational acceleration/deceleration. This combination of measurement capabilities in one module enables comprehensive impact detection including rotational forces that cause DAI, without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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
Enables real-time monitoring and alerting of head impacts, reducing the risk of undetected injuries by providing immediate notification and location tracking, even in remote or hazardous conditions, and facilitates data collection for injury prediction models.
Implementation Method 1
capable of sensing angular and/or direct velocity of a person or object over time as a result of a collision event
Implementation Method 2
producing first signals comprising information representing properties of direct and angular velocity over time
Data Source
AI summary
A system senses, analyzes, and reports a collision event experienced by a person or object. A sensor module records angular velocities over time and a processor analyzes the sensed velocities, calculates properties of angular velocities, such as jerk and jolt, compares these properties with threshold values selected to correlate to predicted severities of injury to the person or object, and transmits information regarding these properties to a communication device controlled by user-designated persons. Group tracking and communication devices ar used by monitors to manage multiple persons equipped with sensor modules. The sensor modules and group tracking and communication devices are designed to be portable, attachable, and detachable so that they can be attached to different types of gear used by persons engaging in different activities.