Development of novel optical force sensors for applications in helmet and concussion research

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Millions of children, adolescents and adults participate in sports that carry with them increased risk of head and brain injury. In North America, millions of people sustain brain injury each year, resulting in societal costs in $Billions. In many sports, helmet use has eliminated fatal head injuries, but these helmets have not been effective at reducing concussion incidence. To prevent concussion, a clear understanding of the mechanics of head impact (force rates, magnitudes and durations; and accelerations) and its connection with concussion must be understood. This understanding is currently incomplete and, therefore, helmet designers are currently unable to design helmets that prevent concussion. The long term potential of this program to improve our understanding of helmet performance, injury prevention and to improve helmet design is high. The proposed program will lead to the first sensor system that can measure force at the helmet/head interface of test-dummy heads used in helmet and concussion research. The system will allow the first dynamic measurements of temporal forces (forces through time) during helmeted impacts. The novel sensor system and the first temporal measurements of helmet force will be two original, high impact contributions to helmet science. The proposed study of forces during helmeted impact will provide the first experimental data into whether force magnitude, duration and location correlate with injury metrics and could potentially lead to improved injury metrics that incorporate both forces and accelerations. The proposed study of forces during impact with simulated helmet/head fit scenarios will provide the first quantified approach to understanding how forces and injury metrics vary with helmet fit. Data on all of the above aspects is lacking in the current literature and therefore these will be high impact contributions. With improved understanding of the mechanics of head protection with helmets, head injury and concussion, helmet designers could design the next generation of helmets that prevent both fatal head injuries and non fatal injuries including concussion, which would in turn reduce concussion incidence in all segments of the population engaged in sport.