SBIR Phase I: PenEEG: An Objective Assessment Tool for Concussion and Recovery Management

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是一个移动和紧凑的脑电图（EEG）脑震荡筛查和恢复监测工具，以减少寻求适当患者护理所需的时间。据报道，美国每年有550万例轻度创伤性脑损伤（TBI）或脑震荡病例，其中运动员受到的影响尤为严重。大多数脑震荡评估依赖于主观测量，但估计有50%的假阴性率导致潜在的有害回归。目前的成像工具检测的是结构性和功能性损伤，现有的脑电图系统不容易用于现场应用。该系统旨在提供一种现场可用的、按需的脑震荡筛查工具，使患者在发生脑震荡事件时能够更快速地寻求治疗。如果与目前的评估措施结合使用，它还将减少在非脑震荡情况下不必要的急诊室就诊。该项目提出了一种可量化脑震荡措施的超便携解决方案。这项创新瞄准了68亿美元的脑震荡护理市场机会，包括运动损伤管理、军事健康和医院部门。这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将开发一种手持式脑电图（EEG）设备，旨在简化长期大脑健康跟踪的数据收集。该设备是一种双通道工具，可以在头部的多个位置使用，以进行快速、可量化的大脑评估。该系统旨在克服当前脑电波测量设备的尺寸限制和培训要求。该设备的尺寸和便携性使其能够在各种情况下使用，包括体育赛事，军事应用，或在家庭/基地恢复期间。该项目旨在解决两个技术挑战：开发一个系统，指导未经训练的用户有效地定位设备，以收集高质量的数据；开发一种判别功能，以感知个人随着时间的推移发生的一系列急性脑电波信号变化，以检测脑震荡。该项目的目标是开发一种可用的原型，与目前的诊断筛选措施相比，具有适当的灵敏度和特异性。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a mobile and compact Electroencephalography (EEG) concussion screening and recovery monitoring tool to reduce the time needed to seek proper patient care. Each year in the US, 5.5 million mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion cases are reported with athletes disproportionately affected. Most concussion assessments rely on subjective measures but have an estimated 50% false negative rate resulting in potentially harmful return to play. Current imaging tools detect structural versus functional injuries, and existing EEG systems are not readily usable for field applications. This system aims to provide a field usable, on-demand concussion screening tool that enables patients to seek care in a more rapid manner in the event of a concussive event. It will also reduce unnecessary emergency room visits during instances of non-concussions when used in conjunction with current assessment measures. The project presents an ultra-portable solution with quantifiable concussions measures. The innovation targets the $6.8 billion concussion care market opportunity within sports injury management, military health, and hospital sectors.This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a handheld electroencephalogram (EEG) device designed to simplify data collection for long-term brain health tracking. The device is a two-channel tool that can be used at multiple locations on the head to conduct rapid, quantifiable brain assessments. The system aims to overcome the current size limitations and training required for current brain wave-measuring equipment. The size and portability of the device enables use across a variety of situations including sports events, military applications, or at home/on-base during recovery. The project aims to address two technical challenges: developing a system to guide untrained users in effectively positioning the device to collect high-quality data and developing a discriminant function to sense a series of acute brain wave signal changes in individuals over time for detecting concussions. The objective of this project is to develop a usable prototype with suitable sensitivity and specificity when compared to current diagnostic screening measures.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.