In the realm of sports and military safety, a cutting-edge mouthguard with integrated sensors is reshaping the landscape by actively monitoring real-time head impacts, effectively reducing the risk of concussions.
(Photo : Prevent Biometrics)
The Prevent Impact Monitoring Mouthguard is the culmination of 10 years of intensive development by a team of doctors, engineers and NASA-trained mathematicians.
Redefining Safety in Sports, Military
An advanced mouthguard embedded with sensors is making waves, redefining safety norms in both sports and military spheres. This state-of-the-art device goes beyond its conventional role, marking a significant advancement in safety measures for sports and combat training.
Designed to revolutionize the prevention of traumatic brain injuries, the innovative technology from Prevent Biometrics serves a dual purpose as both protective gear and a dynamic tool for real-time measurement of head impacts.
Prevent Biometrics leads a consortium of companies dedicated to advancing sensor technology for precise measurement and recording of head impacts. These sensors play a critical role in identifying potential concussions and providing valuable data for in-depth studies on the cumulative effects of such impacts.
The urgency to understand the severity of head injuries is underscored by Mike Shogren, CEO of Prevent Biometrics. He emphasizes that the longstanding mystery surrounding head injuries has led to an underestimation of their gravity.
At this pivotal juncture, prioritizing the comprehension of risks associated with head impacts becomes imperative, especially in the fields of sports and the military.
Prevent's latest innovation, Interesting Engineering reported that the Impact Monitoring Mouthguard (IMM), represents a significant technological advancement that originated from research at the Cleveland Clinic.
This meticulously crafted device not only serves as a protective mouthguard but also seamlessly incorporates sophisticated sensors. The sensors embedded in the IMM are capable of calculating essential factors such as force, direction, location, and impact frequency.
This data is effortlessly transmitted through Bluetooth, allowing for a thorough assessment of head impacts. Adam Bartsch, Chief Science Officer at Prevent, provides insights into the evolution of head trauma measurement.
Looking back, Bartsch notes the reliance on cumbersome contraptions resembling Rube Goldberg machines for studying head impacts decades ago. Today, with the IMM, there's a transformative shift, offering real-time insights into head impacts with unparalleled accuracy.
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Extending beyond the boundaries of sports, this technological marvel is reshaping safety standards within military training, revealing profound insights through studies on parachute landing falls (PLFs), a prominent aspect of the U.S. Army's paratrooper training.
The Impact Monitoring Mouthguard (IMM) conducted investigations, led by Bartsch, exposing a noteworthy frequency of head impacts, five times more than previously recorded instances of concussion.
This revelation underscores the pressing need to reassess safety protocols, bridging the gap between official injury records and the actual occurrence of head impacts during paratrooper landings.
Prioritizing Athlete Safety
In addition to its military applications, Prevent's collaboration with World Rugby serves as a paradigm for prioritizing athlete safety.
Real-time monitoring of players in partnership with World Rugby enables coaches to promptly withdraw injured athletes for comprehensive assessments, challenging the prevailing culture of athletes playing through injuries.
Drawing parallels to sports like boxing, Shogren illustrates how seemingly minor impacts can accumulate and lead to severe injuries over time.
As this advanced mouthguard technology continues to evolve, its potential applications extend across diverse domains, signaling a future where safety becomes an integral aspect of high-impact activities rather than a reactive measure.
The convergence of technology and safety holds the promise of preventing head injuries, shifting the focus from reacting to consequences to proactively integrating safety measures.
Related Article: World Rugby to Start Using Smart Mouthguards to Help Protect Players From Head Injuries
