Method and apparatus for measuring data for injury analysis
Inventors
Hubler, Graham • Byers, Jeffrey • Houston, Brian • Corsaro, Robert • Frank, Phil • Kost, Jason • Opachko, Kenny • Berdoz, Alain • Herdic, Peter • Chin, Lock-Sui • Levine, Jeffrey • Dionne, Jean-Philippe • Wong, Doug • Crossman, Daniel
Assignees
Allen Vanguard Technologies Inc • US Department of Navy • Med Eng LLC
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Publication Number
US-8930144-B2
Publication Date
2015-01-06
Expiration Date
2028-12-08
Abstract
An apparatus as provided for measuring acceleration of a person's head or other object. The apparatus comprises a sensor for sensing acceleration and a controller for controlling recording of data resulting from the sensed acceleration due to an explosive force. The controller is adapted to determine whether or not to enable recording of the data based on the sensed acceleration. A data receiver is provided to receive the sensed acceleration data from the sensing means, and requires electrical power to enable data to be received thereby. The controller controls electrical power to the receiver so that if the sensed acceleration reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, electrical power to the data receiver is enabled. The recorded acceleration data may be used for injury analysis.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an apparatus and method for measuring and recording acceleration data of a person's head or other object, particularly during violent events such as impacts or explosions. The apparatus includes sensors to sense acceleration and a controller that determines whether to enable data recording based on the sensed acceleration meeting a predetermined criterion, such as exceeding a threshold likely to cause injury. This selective recording approach allows the apparatus to focus on significant acceleration events that are relevant for injury analysis.
The problem being solved arises from the high incidence of blast-induced traumatic brain injuries (TBI) among soldiers exposed to improvised explosive devices, despite existing head protection. There is a need for a device capable of efficiently measuring and recording head acceleration during such violent events, enabling collection of data to correlate acceleration parameters with injury outcomes. The invention aims to provide a lightweight, power-efficient data recorder mountable on helmets that can endure blast environments and record acceleration waveforms with direction and magnitude information for injury analysis and protective equipment assessment.
Claims Coverage
The patent claims cover multiple inventive features related to an acceleration measuring apparatus with controlled data recording based on sensed acceleration. The independent claims introduce features regarding acceleration sensing, controlled power management to data receiving means, memory management, multi-axis sensing, timing, and control of data processing units.
Controller controlled data recording based on sensed acceleration
A controller determines whether or not to enable recording of acceleration data based on whether the sensed acceleration meets a predetermined criteria, such as reaching or exceeding a threshold below injury-causing values.
Power management of data receiving means
Electrical power to data receiving means (including signal conditioning, analog-to-digital converter, processor, and memory) is controlled by the controller and enabled only when acceleration meets the predetermined criteria, conserving power.
Multi-level memory architecture with intelligent data transfer
First memory stores acceleration data, a second memory receives data from the first memory, and a third memory may receive data from the second. Data transfer from first to second and second to third memory is controlled based on acceleration data and event accumulation, optimizing storage and power use.
Multiple orthogonal accelerometers for vector acceleration measurement
The apparatus includes a plurality of sensors each sensitive to acceleration in a single mutually perpendicular direction, enabling measurement of three-dimensional acceleration vectors.
Triggering and timing control for rapid activation and data recording
Control means and a timing signal generator (e.g., main clock) switch from inactive to active states rapidly in response to acceleration-triggered controller signals to ensure early acceleration data capture. The generator can switch off after a predetermined active period to save power.
Event time monitoring and time stamping
The apparatus includes means to monitor timing of acceleration events and to record acceleration data along with event timestamps.
The inventive features collectively provide a helmet-mountable acceleration measurement apparatus that is power efficient by enabling data recording only during significant events, employs multi-axis sensing for precise directional acceleration data, incorporates memory management to conserve power and storage, and includes timing mechanisms for rapid response and event time correlation.
Stated Advantages
Reduction in power consumption by enabling recording only when sensed acceleration exceeds predetermined criteria, extending operational life and battery life in the field.
Capability to record directional acceleration using multiple orthogonal accelerometers and to determine vector sum for comprehensive injury analysis.
Small, lightweight, self-contained design suitable for mounting on helmets without compromising protective performance.
Provision of memory management and data transfer schemes that reduce power consumption by minimizing write operations and efficiently handling multiple events.
Rapid activation from inactive state to active recording within about 100 microseconds, enabling capture of early and maximum acceleration impulses critical for injury assessment.
Time-stamping of events for correlation with other data, aiding comprehensive injury analysis and medical decision making.
Documented Applications
Mounting on combat helmets to measure head acceleration parameters during violent impact and blast events for blast-induced traumatic brain injury analysis.
Building a database correlating head acceleration data with injury characteristics, severity, accumulated dosage, and symptoms for clinical and protective equipment evaluation.
Assessing effectiveness of protective equipment, including helmet technology, based on recorded acceleration data.
Use on anthropomorphic mannequins for calibration and correlation studies between helmet and head acceleration under different blast conditions and orientations.
Potential mounting on other objects, such as vehicles or stationary articles, and other body parts of military or service personnel for acceleration monitoring.
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