Wearable Sensor System for Real-Time Concussion Risk Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing neurological damage following a head or body impact, such as concussion, are inadequate as they lack sensitivity beyond the immediate response period and often fail to detect residual deficits, leading to unpredictable long-term complications and unsafe return to activity.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising accelerometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes to measure impact metrics like Impact Force, Stun Time, Sway Time, Slow Time, and Sway Score, which are analyzed to calculate a Post-Impact Concussion Score (PICS) for real-time assessment of neurological severity and risk, using a sensor unit that can be integrated into wearable devices like mouthguards or helmets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If routine clinical testing techniques are used to assess neurological function, then sensitivity is high acutely post-concussion, but sensitivity decreases within a week after injury due to practice effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective clinical testing with objective sensor-based measurement systems. Inertial sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) continuously monitor head motion and impact metrics, eliminating the need for repeated clinical examinations and providing consistent objective data throughout the recovery period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous monitoring of neurological status through wearable sensors that track head kinematics, impact exposure, and motion patterns throughout the day. This continuous data collection provides ongoing assessment without interruption or practice effects, maintaining measurement sensitivity across the entire recovery timeline.
2Measurement precision
If laboratory or instrumented testing methods are used, then neurological deficits persisting beyond clinical recovery can be identified, but these methods are not available to clinicians in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core measurement capabilities of laboratory-based instrumented systems and integrates them into portable wearable devices. By placing inertial sensors directly on the patient's head or in their environment, the system brings advanced detection capabilities to field settings without requiring complex laboratory infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically collects and processes neurological assessment data through embedded sensors and algorithms. The wearable device independently monitors head motion, detects impacts, calculates kinematic metrics, and generates assessment reports without requiring manual intervention or specialized equipment, making it self-sufficient for field use.
3Ease of operation
If monitoring is performed by untrained observers using subjective check-list tools, then community monitoring is achieved, but accuracy and reliability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective observer assessment with automated sensor-based measurement. Inertial sensors objectively quantify head motion, impact severity, and recovery patterns, eliminating biases and inconsistencies associated with untrained observers while maintaining ease of deployment in community settings.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the Immediate Response period is not measured, then neurological assessment can be performed beyond the acute phase, but the heterogeneity of symptoms beyond this period confounds TBI assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures and analyzes head kinematics and impact metrics during the Immediate Response period (first few seconds after impact) before neurological symptoms manifest. This preliminary measurement establishes a baseline of the mechanical insult that caused the injury, enabling accurate TBI assessment later when symptom heterogeneity would otherwise confound evaluation.
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
Provides robust and reliable real-time measurement of neurological damage severity, enabling accurate monitoring of cumulative impacts and reducing the risk of long-term complications by objectively assessing cognitive impairment and neurological injury.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer configured to output signals indicative of movement of the subject along one or any combination of an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis
Implementation Method 2
a magnetometer configured to output signals indicative of variations in position of the subject in a space defined by the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis
Implementation Method 3
a gyroscope configured to output signals indicative of angular velocity of the subject around one or any combination of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system for determining severity of an impact and/or a post impact risk score for a subject, the system comprising an accelerometer configured to output signals indicative of movement of the subject along one or any combination of an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis; a magnetometer configured to output signals indicative of variations in position of the subject in a space defined by the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis; and a gyroscope configured to output signals indicative of angular velocity of the subject around one or any combination of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis; and a processor configured to receive the output and analyse the output signals to determine for the subject one or any combination of Impact Force, Stun Time, Sway Time, Slow Time and Sway Score, wherein the x-axis is a horizontal axis to the ground directed forward of the subject's body; the y-axis being a horizontal axis to the ground directed laterally of the subject's body; and the z-axis is vertical axis to ground. Also provided are methods to determine a post impact risk score for a subject.