If anyone is interested or would like to hear more; please contact me via email: saul@raisinhope.org
Our device can not only be used in early brain injury detection, but change the way all sports are played on the feet.
Title of Proposal:****
Head Impact Monitoring and Gait Analysis System
1. Monitoring and Identifying Trauma:
Subtopic: a, b and c.
2. Training:
Subtopic: a.** **
1. ****Monitoring and Identifying Trauma: Proposals must provide clear potential to advance current practices in measuring and detecting injury and head impact exposures, including non-linear impacts.****
a. Monitoring and integration of directional and rotational impact force into data
b. Monitoring biomechanical, biologic, or physiological responses to detect injury & quantify head impact exposures
c. Efficiently collecting, interpreting and organizing real-time data
**2. **Training: Training athletes and others to protect themselves from brain injury
a. Sensors that provide biofeedback to modify behaviors that predispose athletes to injury or its consequences
Supplemental: Assistance in the post injury recovery process monitoring and therapeutic process support.
Proposed Technical Approach
Abstract At Alluvial Joules, Inc. we have developed an in-shoe Pressure Sensor assembly embedded in replaceable/consumable insole inserts for our Run-With-It Performance Sport Diagnostic System. Based on our system we propose a solution satisfying the requirements of Head Health Challenge 2. The In-helmet System for impact detection and characterization is supported by an optional In-shoe System providing both, a high fidelity data analyzed in real time and archived data for off-line processing and historical analysis. Our system delivers real time diagnostic data over a high speed wireless link for observation by a remote trainer as well as immediate, threshold-driven feedback to the user. We are utilizing advanced electronic technologies and skilled engineering, delivering cost effective solutions for our clients that seek a non-obtrusive system delivering the highest interest data. Our offering consists of Sensor Hardware wearable by athletes, Data Processing and Interpretation Software operated by trainers and Custom System Development Services for specific and non-standard implementations. We are designing for multi-platform compatibility and can provide collected data in formats preferable by our clients. Background and Rationale The Dynamic Sensor System developed at Alluvial Joules, Inc. is oriented toward individual athletes and can be successfully used by sport teams as well. Our system enables observation and recording of athlete’s physical characteristics, training progress and development of specific routines as well as monitoring of individual performances during sport events and detection of potentially unsafe or dangerous conditions or occurrences. Each sensor system node consists of a battery powered 9-Axis Motion Sensor, Temperature Sensor and 4-channel interface for our proprietary 4-point Pressure Sensor assembly as well as an auxiliary standardized sensor communication interface. It provides a low power Bluetooth or a high performance ZigBee wireless communication link with a supervisory platform of choice. The system was constructed with the primary goal of measuring the energy expenditure and energy use efficiency by track and field athletes during training and competitive events and through software customization can be used in many other sport disciplines as well. Knowing the specific requirements of Head Health Challenge 2 we can, with a high degree of confidence, state that our system satisfies the challenge requirements and with minimal modifications will provide valuable tool for Training, Monitoring and Identifying Trauma and for Monitoring and Supporting the Recovery Process after trauma. The Specific System Implementation proposed by Alluvial Joules, Inc. would consist of an In-Helmet Dynamic Sensor Node and plurality of Pressure Sensing Pads embedded in the helmet cushions. Optionally, our standard Foot Sensor Nodes embedded in athlete’s shoes with gait diagnostics software can also be utilized. The In-Helmet node can detect and classify events unsafe to the player and initiate the high resolution data-gathering or operate continuously under trainer or medical professional supervision. The 9-Axis Motion Sensor detects all characteristics of impact as registered by the helmet sensing system. The In-Helmet Pressure Sensing Pads provide measurement of forces affecting the athlete’s head directly. The system can be extended by auxiliary sensing nodes connected through the standard sensor data bus if such requirements are warranted. A very important In-Helmet Temperature measurement will provide early warning of possible heat-related injury. Optional Foot Sensor Nodes are valuable for monitoring the athlete’s conditions after a violent physical event and may detect changes in gait and running/walking style that are attributable to serious injury. The whole system, through the ability to acquire, store and analyze historical data, can be a valuable tool in tracking consequences of long term cumulative effects and in tracking recovery progress after a traumatic event. Preliminary Evidence Alluvial Joules, Inc. conducted multiple experiments with a shoe based system and concluded that the system provides a wealth of useful data with fidelity that other systems were not capable of. We have experimented with sensors in Running shoes as well as in Skiing and Snowboarding boots. Our proprietary Pressure Sensing Pads assembly will be modified for placement on the helmet inner surfaces or for embedding in the helmet padding. Most importantly our sensors are very unobtrusive, thin, flexible, soft and very compatible with various materials and surfaces. Our pressure pads, when integrated with the helmet, will not be perceived as an obstacle or point of discomfort the same way as they are not detectable by runners during training and running over extended distances. The images below show data from different types of exercise. Below are responses of the Pressure Pad Sensor assembly only. More complex graphs including signals from a 3-Axis Accelerometer, Compass and Gyroscope are available as well. The data can be acquired at a rate of 200 samples per second or higher. This data rate allows for synchronous data collection from all connected sensors. We have concluded however that even a 50 samples/second rate is satisfactory under most circumstances.
Technical Maturity
Sensor’s Hardware
Alluvial Joules, Inc. (http:/www.alluvialjoules.com/) is not a consumer product company. Our sensing system was developed more as a technological challenge and personal interest in the creation of a useful and cost effective device supporting training activities and injury recovery processes. We are working in close collaboration with “Maidas’s Since 1901”, the Master Bootmakers (http://www.maidas.com/index.php) located in Houston Texas, gaining access to expertise and a professional foot-ware manufacturing facility. Our system is available for evaluation right now and is comprised of:
a. Nine Axis Dynamic Sensor. The highly integrated main sensor component provides 3-Dimensional signals from three subcomponents; Accelerometer, Magnetometer(compass) and Rotometer(gyroscope);
b. Temperature sensor. The system reads its own temperature which is very closely associated with ambient temperature. The auxiliary sensor bus provides connections for external sensors as well.
c. 4-Channel pressure sensor interface. The present pressure sensing assembly designed for the in-shoe application provides a four channel interface. A more complex pressure sensing system based on an array or matrix of sensors can be easily created and such a solution is inherently compatible with the existing interface design.
d. On-Board event data logging memory. Each sensor node is capable of autonomous recording of data which is stored in nonvolatile on-board memory for later retrieval if wireless connectivity is not available or practical.
e. Auxiliary sensor bus interface. A specialized high performance sensor communication interface is included for applications which require placement of a specialized wire-connected sensor away from the Sensor Node. As an example; our tested solutions include the miniaturized Accelerometer sensor mounted on the tip of a fly fishing rod and connected through super-thin wiring.
f. Wireless and wired communication link. Data can be retrieved from the Sensor Node over a wireless communication link. It can be continuously streamed to the control station, transferred in bursts of compressed parametric information or downloaded from logging memory at operator request.
g. Rechargeable battery power system. Each Sensor Node is powered by a small rechargeable battery. Time of operation is strongly dependent on the mode of operation and battery capacity. Under a specific low power mode the sensor can remain active for many weeks. The battery can be recharged from a standard USB charger. Wireless charging is also considered.
h. Proprietary Pressure Pad sensor assembly (designed as a foot pressure sensing matrix). The Pressure Pad sensor assembly was designed specifically for an in-shoe application and therefore low profile compliance and comfort was the main design focus. Its resilience was proven by many hours of use in running exercises on a treadmill, hard surfaces and cross country.
The existing system would require minimal redesign to expand the pressure sensor interface to 8 or more channels. The Pressure Pad sensor assembly geometry will have to be reconstructed for compliance with the helmet’s interior and for integration with the liner or padding. This task is presenting only a low-to-moderate technological challenge however and can be completed independently or in close collaboration with the helmet manufacturer. The packaging of the sensor node would need to be redesigned for a seamless integration with the athlete’s helmet as well.
Sensor’s Firmware
Our team is continuously working on sensor firmware design and changes associated with expanding capabilities and the need for specific application as well as modifications of the communication protocol. At the moment the latest engineering firmware for the most recent sensor version supporting Bluetooth Low Energy communication protocol is under development.
We are predicting however that the Head Health Challenge 2 requirements will need a higher data bandwidth and require a larger node network deployment and therefore a sensor node processor capable of supporting Classic Bluetooth or ZigBee communication protocols may be needed. Such a sensor node was already designed at Alluvial Joules, Inc. previously.
More modern and higher integration hardware components are available now from several vendors with a high degree of firmware compatibility preserved.
Host Software
Alluvial Joules, Inc. is concentrating on the Host Software development for mobile platform such as iPhone, Android Smart Phone or Android Tablet. We are therefore well prepared to develop Host software for the computing platform of choice including a network-centric solution for cloud and remote data processing sites.
Total system readiness level
The total system readiness is expected not later than 1 year after acceptance of this proposal. The major task, as much as the present requirements are understood, would constitute the Sensor Node and Pressure Pad assembly integration with a helmet and development of a final firmware and software version. The software development may however present a bigger challenge if highly specialized data processing requirements are presented. Nevertheless the 2 years of development time is more than sufficient if resources proportional to said requirements are available.
Intellectual Property Status
Patent:
USP #8,467,979, June 18, 2013. “Intelligent sport shoe system.”
Trade Secrets:
Construction and manufacturing process of Pressure Pad Sensor Assembly.
Pressure Pad sensor interface, sensor biasing and sensor calibration.
Proprietary sensor node processor firmware algorithms for data gathering, compression and communication