A youth-specific helmet for preventing traumatic brain injury

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PROJECT SUMMARY Savior Brain’s SoftShox is the world’s first wearable hydraulic shock absorber. SoftShox uses liquid momentum transfer to dissipate impact energy, resulting in dramatically reduced linear and rotational forces for a given impact event. Brain injuries, including nearly 4 million concussions per year, are common among the nearly 40 million participants in organized youth sports in the United States, and despite recent technologies marketed to reduce concussion risk, brain injuries continue to rise among youth athletes. Improved protective equipment is needed that provides maximal protection across the range of impact energies including the lower, yet still dangerous, impact energies experienced at the youth level. If brought to widespread market use, Savior Brain SoftShox technology could dramatically reduce the incidence of brain injury in youth and adult user populations. In our Phase I project, we integrated SoftShox technology into a youth-specific football helmet, demonstrated the feasibility of the technology and achieved significant reduction in linear and rotational forces measured in laboratory impact testing. In this Phase II proposal, we are requesting funding for maturation of SoftShox technology and preparation for commercialization: 1) adapting and optimizing SoftShox technology to multiple helmet makes and models, 2) developing and validating a production-ready design, manufacturing system and cost projections, 3) fabricating and testing a production-quality helmet, representative of commercialized form, materials, and manufacturing processes, and 4) creating and analyzing computer simulations of SoftShox to predict efficacy in a variety of protective headgear in applications beyond youth football. At the successful conclusion of the Phase II project, Savior Brain will be in a strong position to develop a high-volume production supply chain and engage in marketing discussions with prospective Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) helmet customers. Aim 1: Prototype SoftShox technology for multiple helmet makes and models. Aim 2: Design for cost-effective manufacture of SoftShox component assemblies. Aim 3: Fabricate and test a production-quality football helmet with SoftShox technology. Aim 4: Predict the efficacy of SoftShox in single impact helmets.