I-Corps: Translation Potential of an Objective and Customizable Concussion Assessment and Rehabilitation Tool for Specialized Populations

这个I-Corps项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是基于脑震荡护理技术的开发，为用户提供受伤后和康复护理的解决方案。这项技术标志着社会观念和脑震荡管理方法的转变，将预防和康复护理封装在一个易于使用的便携式系统中。该技术通过消除当前脑震荡评估中的主观性，确保更准确的用户评估。通过提供客观的测量和针对用户需求的定制方法，该系统涉及独特的体育和职业领域，如纯种赛马行业，目前的脑震荡协议往往不足或不存在。同样，这项技术也可以扩展到其他使用独特姿势和高受伤风险的活动，如山地自行车和高山滑雪。这个I-Corps项目利用体验式学习和对行业生态系统的第一手调查来评估这项技术的转化潜力。该解决方案基于先前开发的系统，该系统包括光和运动传感器，旨在精确评估用户在各种位置条件下的平衡和反应时间。该系统通过马术运动部门的直接社区反馈开发，减轻了通常与现有主观脑震荡评估相关的混乱，这些评估可能存在语言或理解障碍。该技术集成了一个应用程序和物理设备，为用户提供即时反馈，以了解他们对光刺激的反应能力和保持位置的能力。通过提供可定制的现场设备，这项技术使个人能够自我激活，并将他们的健康和康复重新掌握在自己手中。该奖项反映了NSF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 I-Corps project is based on the development of a concussion-care technology, providing users with a solution for post-injury and rehabilitative care. This technology signifies a shift in societal perception and approach towards concussion management, encapsulating both preventative and rehabilitative care in one portable system that is easy to use. This technology ensures a more accurate user assessment by removing subjectivity in current concussion assessments. By offering objective measurements and a tailored approach to user needs, this system engages unique athletic and occupational sectors, like the Thoroughbred horse racing industry, where current concussion protocols often fall short or are nonexistent. Similarly, this technology can extend to other activities that utilize unique positions and have high risk for injury such as mountain biking and downhill skiing.This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with a first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of the technology. The solution is based on the prior development of a system encompassing light and movement sensors designed to precisely evaluate balance and reaction time of a user during various positional conditions. Developed through direct community feedback in the equestrian sports sector, this system mitigates the confusion often associated with existing subjective concussion assessments which may have barriers of language or understanding. The technology integrates an application and physical device to give users immediate feedback on their ability to respond to light stimuli and maintain their position. By providing customizable field equipment, this technology empowers individuals with the ability to self-activate and take their health and rehabilitation back into their hands.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.