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Abstract

Grant Number:	5R44HD040743-03
PI Name:	GREENWALD, RICHARD M.
PI Email:	rgreenwald@simbex.com
PI Title:	PRESIDENT
Project Title:	HEAD IMPACT RECORDING TECHNOLOGY FOR FIELD APPLICATIONS

Abstract: The objective of this proposal is to continue research and development of a cost-effective device that measures linear and rotational head acceleration following impact in sports. Mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) in sports is a significant public health concern. The biomechanics of head impacts that result in a concussion or other MTBI are not well understood but are widely believed to correlate with head accelerations. The lack of a system that allows researchers to measure head acceleration during actual play in a large number of individuals is a major obstacle in furthering our understanding of the mechanism of MTBI and its prevention. A novel algorithm for calculating linear and rotational acceleration of the head was developed and will be incorporated in a miniature accelerometer-based telemetry data acquisition system. Clinical trials will be performed at two major colleges over the course of a season in men's football and men's and women's hockey. The trial will be performed in conjunction with ongoing head injury studies that include neuropsychological testing of athletes, and neuropsychological test scores will be analyzed. The long-term goal of the project is to develop a cost-effective commercially available system for measuring head acceleration for widespread use in sports.

Thesaurus Terms:
biomechanics, brain injury, head /neck injury, head movement, injury prevention, monitoring device, sports injury, technology /technique development
clinical trial, cost effectiveness, miniature biomedical equipment, safety equipment, telemetry, trauma
clinical research, human subject, patient oriented research, statistics /biometry

Institution:	SIMBEX, LLC
	10 WATER ST, RM 410
	LEBANON, NH 03766
Fiscal Year:	2003
Department:
Project Start:	13-APR-2001
Project End:	31-MAR-2004
ICD:	NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
IRG:	ZRG1

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