A youth-specific helmet for preventing traumatic brain injury

项目总结 Savior Brain的SoftShox是世界上第一个可穿戴的液压减震器。SoftShox使用液体动量 转移以耗散撞击能量，从而显著降低给定的线性和旋转力 撞击事件。 脑损伤，包括每年近400万次脑震荡，在近4000万人中很常见 美国有组织的青年运动的参与者，尽管最近的技术被推销给 降低脑震荡风险，年轻运动员的脑损伤继续上升。改进的防护设备是 需要在各种撞击能量范围内提供最大保护，包括较低但仍然 在青年层面上经历的危险的冲击力。如果进入广泛的市场使用，救世主大脑 SoftShox技术可以显著降低青少年和成年用户的脑损伤发生率 人口。 在我们的第一阶段项目中，我们将SoftShox技术集成到一款青少年专用足球头盔中，演示了 该技术的可行性，并实现了显著减少直线和旋转力测量在 实验室冲击测试。 在此第二阶段提案中，我们要求提供资金以成熟SoftShox技术并为 商业化：1)调整和优化SoftShox技术以适应多种头盔制造商和型号，2) 开发和验证可用于生产的设计、制造系统和成本预测，3)制造 和测试生产质量的头盔，代表商业化的形式、材料和制造 流程，以及4)创建和分析SoftShox的计算机模拟，以预测各种 青少年足球以外的应用中的防护头盔。在二期工程圆满结束时， 救世主大脑将处于有利地位，发展大批量生产供应链并从事 与潜在的原始设备制造商(OEM)头盔客户进行营销讨论。 目标1：适用于多种头盔制造和型号的原型SoftShox技术。 目标2：为经济高效地制造SoftShox组件组件而设计。 目标3：使用SoftShox技术制造并测试生产质量的足球头盔。 目的4：预测SoftShox在单次冲击头盔中的效果。

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.