The development of a next-generation polymeric headform surrogate for concussion and helmet evaluation

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The use of helmets by athletes has drastically reduced the incidence of severe brain injuries**resulting from head impacts. Despite widespread use of helmets, there continues to be a**concerning level of incidence of concussion. In contrast to the majority of traumatic injuries, a**concussion may not cause visible structural damage to the brain, but results in the rapidonset**of neurological dysfunction. Repeated trauma has been linked to a neurodegenerative**disease with devastating mental health outcomes, including increased levels of depression,**aggression, and suicidality.**Helmet testing standards implemented to reduce brain trauma involve monitoring the**acceleration profiles of a drop-tested helmeted rigid headforms to ensure that critical**thresholds are not exceeded. Hard acceleration thresholds may not be adequate to define**critical conditions for trauma, particularly when an impact induces a rotational acceleration of**the head or when we consider evidence that repeated subconcussive impacts have also led**to significant neurodegeneration. The response of a human brain is certainly more complex**than our current testing may be able to resolve, requiring a new basis of evaluation.**The proposed research project will combine cadaver testing with finite element modelling to**inform the design and validation of a next-generation deformable headform for impact testing.**This new headform will return measurements of brain deformation that occur during the**impact. Since the brain undergoes significant deformation during an impact, it is expected that**this measurement would be more sensitive to the rotational forces that are detrimental to the**brain. Upon completion, the developed headform will provide standards committees with an**alternative that may replace the current standards. Advancing the state of helmet evaluation**has the potential to increase the long-term quality of life for numerous Canadians at risk for**concussion.