Albion Sports

Concussion Issue

Head Protection to Reduce Concussions

David Sayers

3/1/2013

The intent of this project is to develop a product to reduce concussion injuries in sport and leisure activities. This document explains the requirements, background information and design detail required to create a successful head protector.

Concussion Issue

Project Brief:

Studies have confirmed long term brain damage is occurring from repeated concussions received while taking part in sport and leisure activities. This damage is causing devastating diseases like dementia and severe memory loss. Recovery from concussion can take over 3 weeks resulting in many sports people missing out on game time.

Current headgear is not effective at reducing concussions and sporting organisations are screaming for a type of headgear that reduces concussions. There are currently 3 options to be investigated, these include

1) Insert containing impact attenuation material as a replacement or addition for the comfort liner in a standard hard shell helmet

2) Comfortable impact attenuation material to be implemented into a rugby style soft helmet

3) Material that can be moulded into shapes and reduces concussion

All of these will be designed with the intent of reducing concussion.

There are many research, product development and sporting organisations within Melbourne who have conducted extensive research into concussion prevention.

Unless scientifically proven to reduce concussion we must be careful not to claim concussion reduction, we must only refer to linear acceleration reduction or severity index reduction.

Video: knockout Blow - shows long term effects of concussion to AFL & NRL players

http://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/features/article/-/16197435/knockout-blow/

Here is a link into concussion management in Rugby: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BybUIpl55qZwczh2aEFxUkdtZ2M/edit?usp=sharing

This issue goes a lot further than just NRL and AFL. In general helmets for all sports are designed only to reduce catastrophic injuries like skull fractures. They are not effective at reducing concussion because it occurs at a lower impact level and involves more complex rotational forces. Up until recently little attention had been paid to reducing concussions as they weren’t considered serious injuries.

There is potential to greatly reduce concussions and impact severity by using newer cutting edge impact absorbing foams like Poronxrd, Unequal Technology, D3O or Sorbothane. These are well known for their impact retention and impact absorption properties. To determine the correct material composition, testing and implementation, advice from materials researchers will be required.

Project Intent

Two current options exist for this project:

1. the quick option: improved product using existing moulds and copy or use existing materials – for quick and dirty

2. the all new scientifically researched product. 1. Source samples of existing materials, send to Virender, get them to mould it into our

standard cricket helmet liner. Then do simple drop tests onto the material compare them to current foams in head protectors and determine the advantage. Put the material into current head protector/helmet designs and sell as an improved head protector.

2. Probably need to go scientific route for true effective concussion reduction results. Working with researchers and experts to develop products that are guaranteed to reduce concussion injuries.

What we do know

Concussion causes long term brain injury Concussion is hard to detect and prevention methods are difficult to prove effective This issue is of concern across a wide range of sports and activities including contact

sports, extreme sports, and leisure activities. Currently there are very few known soft head protectors that have been proven to

reduce concussion – most are only inserts to hard shell helmets and most of these are unproven

Many research organisations have detailed analysis of both the injury and recommendations for prevention, some of this information is contradictory, we must obtain peer reviewed research only.

Rotation of the brain has a significant effect on concussion injury Younger people and females are more susceptible to concussion, they take longer to

recover and their symptoms are worse

To clarify

The intent of this project is to provide a product which reduces concussion injuries; this can be in the form of a head protector/protection/helmet. It may also be an addition to existing helmets/headgear.

Concussions are a far more complex issue than we want to believe. Scientists are still trying to determine the true causes but what they do know is that both rotational and linear acceleration is a major factor in concussions. If we are going to reduce concussion we must reduce rotation of the brain and linear acceleration.

From research analysed so far a simple drop test from .8m to have acceleration under 100g is not sufficient to claim concussion reduction. If we develop a product just using current standard testing methods we cannot confidently claim they effectively reduce concussion, to test for concussion the tests should involve methods of rotation as well. Testing to current methods will only allow us to claim a reduction of ‘shock attenuation’ as they are all linear tests. This leaves competitors with the opportunity to independently test the product and potentially find it does not reduce concussion at all.

Sportline can perform standards testing of products but they only conduct linear tests. They don’t have the required facilities for analysis or accurate experimentation, neither do Winart or SGS. They have tested padded headgear but not for concussion injuries, they don’t currently have the facilities to test for rotational injuries.

‘Conventional helmets are tested by dropping them vertically onto a rigid surface. MIPS has had 15 years of study and testing in Sweden by some of the world's leading researchers and neurosurgeons, based on a different principle - reality. Because in reality when you fall, your head most often hits the ground at an angle, creating a rotation in the brain, which in turn can cause major damage. With MIPS, the helmet absorbs much of that damaging rotational energy, offering you radically better protection. And if, against all the odds, you do fall vertically onto your head, a helmet with MIPS will protect you just as well as an ordinary helmet.’

Products like MIPS have begun more extensive testing and are in the process of creating products that they do reduce brain rotation. MIPS is a licenced product but is intended only for hard shell helmets. They are claiming to reduce rotational impact force by 55% this results in a large reduction of rotation of the brain. As for competing materials the closest results so far is Unequal Technologies with claims of 25% reduction in concussion which distributes the force similar to a helmet.

So far POC and Bauer have recently incorporated MIPS into their helmets (two of the biggest helmet manufacturers in Snow sports and Ice Hockey). NFL have now approached them, product likely for release soon, the largest market. Can we create a soft helmet based on MIPS??? Dunno yet…

"Now people wearing the helmets ask, 'I'm getting a concussion, what's up with that?' " Halstead says. That's because there are two ways to get concussed from a hit. The first is linear impact, measured in g-forces, where a concussion happens when you're subjected to around 100gs. The other way is from rotational acceleration of the head at your cervical spine, which is a fancy way of saying your head whipping around on your neck. This damages the brain by exerting shear stress on its axons. Scientists measure the motion in radians, and the threshold for concussion is around 6,000 radians/sec2.

Now, this is where things get a little perverse. Protecting our heads from the linear impact has made the rotational accelerations a problem we have to worry about. "If I don't have a helmet on and my head hits the ground, I have an oozing skull fracture and no one cares how many radians my head rotates at because I have a life-threatening or life-ending event," Halstead says. "But if I have a helmet on, the helmet manages that energy, I only get 30gs from the impact. But then I have 6,000 radians/sec2 of sheer force. The helmet is just along for a ride, because the real problem is the motion prior to and after impact."

Taking a different tack, a Swedish company created MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System), the helmet Popular Science reports will save football. Its outer shell can shift slightly on top of its inner liner at impact. The idea is that allowing for this shift will reduce rotational accelerations by absorbing some of the impact's force. Think of how crumple zones dissipate energy in a car accident by flexing. This layer doesn't crumple, but the same idea is to allow for some movement to dissipate energy -- in the MIPS case, the helmet's outer shell rotating -- so not all of the force of the hit is transferred to the head, MIPS creators argue. In a similar vein to MIPS, Michael Princip, a designer for an Aerospace firm, created headgear that had four separate sections that comprised the outer shell. Those partitions, fastened atop a padding layer, move independently of each other when hit, absorbing more of the impact.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20121219/nfl-concussions-helmet/#ixzz2NxrBzJbN

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20121219/nfl-concussions-helmet/#ixzz2NxpxLhQP

Reason for requiring experts

This information was put together from a range of manufacturers data sheets, articles and papers, they have all made claims that may/may not be true. To get true conclusive results from the materials we need expert analysis.

We will need experts who can backup these claims and provide assistance throughout the development process. These include concussion injury researchers to determine correct prevention methods, materials researchers to select correct material compositions, analysis experts to refine and develop these materials. We will need experts with the required testing facilities to analyse and improve the performance of the product

This may come from universities, VCAMM, ACSA, Cogstate, Elite Minds and many others.

Initial Assessment

The research and development path will be expensive and possibly long. Initially the best option may be to release an improved version of an existing product using existing materials. We should be able to easily reduce the linear impacts that cause concussion by using impact absorbing foam. This will produce a product that will be quick to release however it will be quick to copy and may not be effective for concussion reduction only impact attenuation. It won’t require large amounts of research and can be tested using Sportsline so product development costs will be cheap.

To get to this stage we should first seek advice from concussion experts to gain understanding into what impacts cause the damage.

We should test all the available impact foams that advertise use in body protection to determine the most effective at reducing linear acceleration in the concussion region (100g).

We should attempt to implement the MIPS system into our hard shell helmets ASAP, claims made for the NFL helmets say their cost would increase approximately 15% by introducing MIPS.

With the combination of the impact foam and MIPS we should achieve a highly effective helmet for reducing concussion in hard shell helmets. As for soft shell, the rotation of the brain will be more difficult to address, there is a possibility we could use a sandwich type layer in between two foams that allows the two layers to slide over each other. miniFAB mentioned they developed this slippery super low friction fabric which was similar to the swim suits, this could be potential solution. Other materials like Skydex or Unequal tech might also be suitable, extensive testing will be required though. We also discovered recently through testing for PU jockey liner that it can be created more elastic to withstand multiple hits. This has potential for use in sports that receive regular lower level impact that may cause concussion.

Materials Required

We will need to find the most effective material, this may come from studies already conducted or our own studies conducted with local companies or just from current existing products. We really need a materials scientist that has specialised in impact materials who can help determine the best performing material. Ideally we would also source local testing facilities to give a more accurate analysis of the results.

Ideally we will get a rate-sensitive foam that stiffens in major impacts but cushions more in lesser impacts. We also need to look into variable density foams to determine if this option is viable.

Many materials found in impact protection sports gear has Kevlar and memory integrated into each other, they effectively distribute the impact over a wider area, these should be considered in detail.

We will experiment or seek advice into the appropriateness of materials and concepts like Poron, Unequal Tech, Sorbothane, Skydex, MIPS, 6D, Xenith, Apro, Teamwendy, D3O, Bulwark, Oregon aero, gentex, Mine safety Appliance. These claim to reduce impact and are using in clothing and/or helmets. Unequal Tech has Kevlar in as well and claims to reduce concussions by 25%. MIPS is closer to 55%. The solution will most likely not come from a single material but a combination of layered materials each performing different functions.

Pictured above: comparison of military grade helmet padding

6D, MIPS, Skydex, Xenith all appear to address rotational injuries through the floating liner or flexible liner concept.

Pictured above: MIPS protection liner, reduces rotation by adding low friction teflon layer between helmet outer shell and liner – used in ski, motorbike, equestrian, expanding quickly

Pictured above: Unequal Tech provide insert liners and beanie version meant for inside skull cap helmets – it has 2 layers of impact foam with a layer of Kevlar in between – intended for NFL, hockey, baseball helmets, initially U.S market

Pictured above: Xenith technology in NFL helmet- uses airbag suspension concept

Pictured above: Skydex ballistic helmet pads – they use geometry of polymer to absorb impact – used in U.S military helmets to reduce shock

Pictured above: D3O, Non-Newtonian fluid concept, soft under normal loading but hardens under high impact – used in sports protective clothing

Pictured above: 6D technology, similar to MIPS concept, creates a flexible layer between the helmet liner and shell to reduce rotational injuries

Pictured above: Poron is used as helmet liner for both comfort and protection, and as shoe inner soles and sports protective clothing, Sorbothane are similar and also make shoe inner soles.

Pictured above: Teamwendy have range of pad combinations for military helmets to reduce impact and provide comfort $17-100 (these are possibly more for high impacts not concussion)

Because these materials behave so differently under different loading it will be difficult to calculate their performance without testing, therefore it is recommended that we seek external advice through testing professionals or materials experts. Ideally we will develop relations with these experts so we can regularly consult on a range of material decisions and product development decisions.

We may need to work with material scientists and developers like MiniFab or VCAMM to create a material that can reduce concussion injuries, sustain multiple impacts while being comfortable and able to handle a rough environment. It must also be suitable for direct

contact with skin, non toxic. Given the amount of products already developed we shouldn’t have to develop our own, we should be able to design a concept around a selected material then go straight to prototype testing.

Performance Factors:o Compression rateo Compression force deflectiono Compression seto Densityo Tensile strengtho Thicknesso Air permeabilityo Hardnesso Tear Strengtho Tensile elongationo Chemical resistanceo Water absorbanceo …

General Factors: Manufacturability – is it expensive to produce, is it slow to produce? Lifespan - when will it need to be replaced, when will it stop being effective? Does it creep over time, how long until permanent deformation occurs, how

many cycles can it handle. Breathability/Temperature regulation - how does it dissipate heat from the

user, how well does it handle sweat comfort vs protection - what density provides the most protection, how well

do the softer versions perform? Washability - can it withstand soap and machine washing? Suitable for skin contact - is it antimicrobial, does it cause irritation Weight – how does weight compare to existing foams feel perception on skin – does it feel comfortable

Detail of materials found in ‘Reading Material”

Technologies to Consider:

A range of technologies exist that can be incorporated into the helmet for data collection and injury analysis, these include:

o Accelerometers for detecting concussion impactso GPS transmitters, heart rate monitors, trackers for fitness performance

Ideally we will find a local organisation where we can go and get quick proof of concept and simple drop tests performed, this may be a uni or similar who can provide access to facilities???

Companies like MiniFab can help source sensor technology

Pictured above: Riddell helmet can be fitted with sensors to detect large impacts and send data to medics on the sideline to warn of impending concussion

Action/Game Plan (work in progress):

As explained in the project brief we have two options for tackling this project, 1) is that we obtain existing impact materials and incorporate them into products and market them as improved impact reduction products. 2) We develop a product that reduces concussions but requires more scientific research and testing by local organisations. This option will be long and expensive. Due to our current situation and opportunities we can see that option one will still provide an improved product that will enter the market quickly. Therefore initially we will look to release a product into the market using the best impact material available, this will require the following actions. In the future we should look to more in depth experimentation and development to develop materials for helmet applications, Nano technology has allowed us to Micro Manage materials in a whole new way to create the future materials that can out perform anything we currently have.

Option 1 – impact reduction head protection

1) Discuss action plan with management, initial product design process, gather information2) Try source local cheaper facilities for drop tests, either experiments or just normal

testing similar to SGS but with more access, somewhere we can go an work with them. Hopefully VCAMM, Swinburne, Deakin can help with this

3) Begin concept generation4) Discuss with researchers & manufacturers most suitable materials for low impact head

protection – Poron have recommended their materials5) Discuss with experts – either Rowan at ACS or VCAMM guys about best approach for

experimentation – what did we do wrong last time, how can we make sure this time goes smoothly, what is the best process, can you help with test requirements to ensure they are done accurately and we gain useful results

6) Purchase sample impact absorption pads e.g. Skydex, Unequal Tech, PoronXRD? o PoronXRD – material code:o D3O – Material code:o Unequal Techo PU elastic foam (as discovered from jockey helmet experiments)

7) Speak with marketing and users, determine what they want in the product, who wants it most, determine which product we are designing for

8) Begin concept generation for chosen markets9) Perform simple drop test of each material

o Drop test to determine acceleration/g force reduction from 1m, with velocity at least 4.4m/s (must be the same for each test)? We need to set a standard test based on research

o in same condition under same loading to determine, only factor that changes is the type of material

o The materials should all be the same thicknesso Initially we are comparing the materials to each other, with the bench mark being

foam used in current padding and rugby helmets, boxing etco we will also use this information to determine their potential for use in equestrian

helmets to meet the high performance standardo Potentially send results of acceleration/time plots to ACS for analysis of to gain

displacement and velocity graphs so we can understand what is happening to the material during the impact so we can further optimize it

10) Send chosen material to Virender for testing on headform, form material into suitable shape for comfort liner, insert into cricket & jockey helmets, perform drop tests o Accelerations to be under 40g-80g? Some say theoretical thresh hold for concussion

is 70-75g others 60-90g (not proven), we just want the lowesto European High performance helmet for equestrian standard has low energy impact

onto flat anvil as impact velocity of 4.4m/s (16km/h) the acceleration shall not exceed 80g at any time. (this represents a drop from 1.0m)

Once desired moulding and combination has been achieved:11) Create detailed concepts or source existing designs to incorporate material into12) proceed with prototype manufacture and testing13) If they pass, proceed with final standards testing e.g. chemical, penetration etc14) Begin product release to market and production procedures15)

Materials testing requirements:1. Performance comparison

a. Impact testb. What tests are required for protective equipment?

Option 2 – Concussion Reduction Head gear

1) Speak with users, determine what they want in the product2) Gain understanding of product requirements

a. Speak with expertsi. Determine the correct cause of concussion and correct methods for

prevention – Linear and Rotational impact effects, requirements for prevention

Cogstate Alan Pearce – Deakin Uni Monash Uni – Caroline Finch at Australian centre for research

into injury into sport and its prevention Victorian injury surveillance unit at Monash as well

ii. Speak with foam materials scientists/researchers/experts to determine the requirements for the material

VCAMM? ?

iii. Determine the minimum velocities, accelerations, impulse that cause concussion

Human impact engineering?iv. Determine how much of an effect reducing linear acceleration only will

have on concussion reductionv. Determine the potential of reducing rotational and linear accelerations

3) Determine materialso

4) Test at heights/speeds/conditions relative to concussion injury impacts5) If they pass, proceed with final standards testing e.g. chemical, penetration etc6) Begin product release to market and production procedures

7)

Testing Required/Questions to be answered (work in progress)

- What are we trying to reduce?o Linear and/or rotational forceso What other factors

- Rotational testing facilitieso Are they available in Melbourneo Costo Expertiseo

- Materials researcho Selection – what factors must it includeo Testingo What is availableo How effective is it

- Product developmento Product testing – locally or internationally (virenda or closer to home)o

- Concussion expertso What types of forces need to be reduced – linear and/or rotational?o What level of force is acceptable? 50g, 100g? 1000J? 4000J?o Is there a threshold at which any impact above a specific force will cause

concussion? Rotational impact at …rad/s at an angle of …degrees? o What would be a suitable standard to ensure protection from concussion? Linear

drop from .8m? rotational impact at 45degrees at …?o What methods of testing are recommended to ensure products reduce concussion?

Drop test or sled test or projectile test?- Market Research

o What do the users want it to look, feel, sound, smell like?o What markets to enter?o Who wants it most?o Who will be most likely to wear it?o How much are they willing to pay for it?

Contacts and Facilities Available (work in progress)

Currently VCAMM and ACSA have been informed of our intention to tackle this issue and I have already requested assistance from them.

Contacts for product development:

VCAMM – Sam David sam.david@vcamm.com.au, James Sandlin - james.sandlin@vcamm.com.au – Product development assistance

ACSA – Rowan Paton r.paton@acs-aus.com – Materials analysis Human Impact Engineering – Product testing – NSW Universities – Research & Product Testing MiniFab & STC – Erol Harvey erolharvey@miniFAB.com.au, Sebastiaan Garst

basgarst@miniFAB.com.au - sensor technology Sportsline – Virender - manufacture & standards testing CSIRO – range of research available – speak to VCAMM first CRC technologies Synchrotron for xray analysis Ballistic & mechanical testing - for high impact tests Swinburne - Drop tests and materials analysis and research NATA – National Association of testing authorities – help with testing facilities?

Contacts for concussion research

Cogstate – extensive research into concussion http://www.cogstate.com/ Deakin University –

o Dr Alan Pearce alan.pearce@deakin.edu.au – concussion experto Innovation Centre – VCAMM have access to this

Caroline Finch – Monash Uni sports injury research Andrew McIntosh - read his paper Elite Minds – extensive research into the brain and its function an injury

management Victoria Uni: Laboratory studies carried out at in the School of Sport and Exercise

Science at Victoria University tested the shock absorbing ability of a range of “padded” helmets that could be used in the various football codes.

RMIT - we have worked with them in the past? – Professor Franz Fuss, experience in design, innovation and engineering for sports equipment

Barriers to Entry

Many manufacturers quick to defend their market share Attitudes to wearing in contact sports– players don’t want to look weak/inferior to other

players Attitudes of head office to players wearing head gear e.g. NFL stopped Procap headgear

even though it proved to reduce concussion, Riddell likely had hand in NFL’s pockets Many competitor products, they will be quick to copy

SWOT analysis

Strengths

Small firm should be able to get products to market quickly (once developed) Strong marketing ability Existing helmet designs

Weaknesses

Lack of funding – small business Lack of in house facilities/resources (we need to pay for others) Street Cred – we are only known as cricket helmet manufacturers so far, cricket

helmets are not considered high impact helmets. Not an established player, currently have no products in these markets or relating to

concussion Recent product development has been rough

Opportunities

Access to 90% of the AFL IRB review – we can pressure them to modify standards to our findings We can streamline R&D to make processors, prevent mistakes Major helmet manufacturers are not addressing this issue Huge research conducted on concussions in sport Roller Derby have approached us regarding the need for concussion protection

(females suffer more severely from concussion)

Threats

Contradicting literature – often misunderstandings as to the cause and testing methods for concussion,

Lack of funds Competitors have major market share, they will be quick to copy Lack of materials understanding If not enough research or incorrect testing is conducted we could face competitors

proving our product is not effective for concussion reduction Lack of standards for concussion – product is not a required item yet Product requirements are unknown

Product Development process (basic)

Design Briefwhat is the product we want - headgear to reduce concussion what specifications must be includedwhat standards must the product adhere to

PlanningDevelop timelineMajor milestonesBudgetQuality Assurance

Checkpoints – regularly check to make sure the product measures up to requirements

Researchsupport - who can and will help us – this can help in all areas of PDuser surveys - what do they want – Crucial to gaining customerspatentscurrent products - styles, features, materialsMaterials - current and emerging comfort and impact materialsTechnology - sensors and analysis methodsend cost - current products are at around $35Market entry strategy - correct distribution and marketing optionsWhere to first market products: AFL, NRL, Boxing, martial arts??Who can get us there

Designconcepts - produce range of solutions to present to clientevaluation - consultation with end user, sporting organisations, expertsproof of concept - prototyping, fea,

Engineering detailfinal concept prototypingQuality assurancestandards testingfinal specifications

Product ReleaseMarketing - sell itProduction - make it

Product ImprovementCustomer FeedbackReviewUpdate

Conclusion:The success of this project will be determined by the amount of knowledge and expertise is put in. To develop a more effective product we will need experts across a range of fields to assist. If budgeting or lack of time limits the project we can release quickly release a product that improves shock attenuation over current competitors.

Reading Material:

Background on the issue:

Alzheimers caused by concussions

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwSCsTq50K-jdVNFcW5XMi1kUzQ/edit?usp=sharing

The concussion blog, heaps of info on concussions and management

http://theconcussionblog.com/

Doctors have not supported current headgear for reducing concussions

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/doctors-rule-out-compulsory-headgear-for-nrl-players/story-e6frfgbo-1225763480454

Journal Article by Andrew McIntosh regarding effectiveness of Rugby headgear

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BybUIpl55qZwbXYtQ3JiREthek0/edit?usp=sharing

Elite Minds Comment on Professional Athlete Safety

http://www.eliteminds.com.au/Science/Athlete_Welfare_Researc.aspx

CogState are employed by NRL to analyse concussions and give recommendations

http://www.gbsventures.com.au/news-and-events/nrl-mandates-use-of-cogstate-sport-for-concussion-management

their reach goes as far as South Africa

http://www.sportsconcussion.co.za/Pharos/Computerised_Testing.php

People who wear current products are mostly aware they don’t provide much protection against concussion. Most helmets are worn only to reduce cuts to the head and to stop their ears from being damaged or torn off during a scrum as described in the following link:

http://www.rugbyunionrules.com/scrum-cap-rugby-headgear/

Article describing the lack of concussion prevention of current helmets:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/doctors-rule-out-compulsory-headgear-for-nrl-players/story-e6frfgbo-1225763480454

Article explaining how many players are happy to wear the current head gear even though it doesn’t prevent concussions

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/do-they-want-us-to-wear-helmets-hasler/story-e6frexnr-1226291898661

Football head injuries and the risk of dementiahttps://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwSCsTq50K-jdVNFcW5XMi1kUzQ/edit?usp=sharing

Collection of concussion articles on internet

http://trap.it/#!traps/id/c658013e-7d31-4aa4-9acf-51828eb1bf01/jump/6F99xb2W50064csiZaCy

support in NFL for sensors in helmets to detect concussion

http://www.jconline.com/article/20130311/NEWS05/303110022/Purdue-professor-trainer-advise-NFL-concussion-technology?nclick_check=1

Article about Deakin research with Alan Pearce into AFL concussions

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/melbourne-suburban-football-team-joins-deakin-university-concussion-study/story-e6frf9jf-1226597621386

Pauls market research into contact sports AFL, NRL

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uZZh1zBbUG13Q_bfavTXelkHi_3_ijw3bXN3qZYkxFk/edit?usp=sharing

Deakins innovation centre opens in geelong, includes advanced materials research

http://www.deakin.edu.au/news/2013/210213researchandinnovationcentre.php

Eliteminds research into brain injuries

http://www.eliteminds.com.au/Science/ABI_Researc.aspx

explanation about helmets not being able to reduce concussions

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20121219/nfl-concussions-helmet/

MIPS in NFL helmet

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1452332-could-this-be-the-helmet-that-saves-football

more on MIPS in the NFL

http://www.sportsology.info/MIPS-Is-An-Ingredient-the-NHL-and-NFL-Might-Be-Adding-to-Their-Menus

More articles on concussions

http://trap.it/#!traps/id/c658013e-7d31-4aa4-9acf-51828eb1bf01/jump/6F99xb2W50064csiZaCy

Procap head gear, claims to reduce concussion, not allowed in NFL coz of Riddell?

http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-18/helmets-preventing-concussion-seen-quashed-by-nfl-riddell.html

Materials/Technology

Team wendy comparison

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BybUIpl55qZwYzFnYW1YSmZHRnM/edit?usp=sharing

Bicycle helmet foams and materials

http://www.helmets.org/liners.htm

Unequal Technologies claim to have a material sold as an inner liner for helmets that reduces concussion by 25%:

http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58535-unequal-technologies-helmet-study-concussion-reduction-by-unequal

‘NFL looks to helmet technology to combat concussions’. NFL Research organisations are using DARPA to find a way of reducing concussion injuries while also protecting from catastrophic injuries.

They mention a thermoplastic that is being studied which is many times stronger than steel.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/13/130202-football-concussions-nfl-super-bowl-safety-head-injuries-health/

New helmet reducing concussions, using DuPont Fabric, similar to kevlar, reduces concussions by 25% by just adding inserts:

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/concussion-reducing-helmet-technology-scoring-some-wins-657858/

Here is the DuPont website:

http://www2.dupont.com/personal-protection/en-us/dpt/protective-fabrics.html

similar article claiming helmet is reducing concussions, using guardian caps:

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/austin/kxan-new-helmet-guards-against-concussion

Sensor to track users activity

http://www.indiegogo.com/misfitshine?c=home

Impact alert sensors

https://www.theshockbox.com/products/

This soft fabric helmet has similar properties to D3O gel that hardens on impact, similar to Poron XRD as well, this materials should be investigated for potential use in protective equipment

http://www.gizmag.com/go/3973/

Phone app that logs data from helmet sensor and warns of potential concussions and head injury

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57567304-1/football-helmet-sensor-warns-of-concussion-risk-via-phone-app/

Same system called shockbox:

http://www.gizmag.com/shockbox-hemet-impact-sensor/25235/

Reebok skullcap that alerts of injury using led lights:

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/11/mc10-reebok-checklight-hands-on/

Skydex - impact protection foam, U.S. military product, one of the best performing, works over and over, uses the cone shaped geometry to absorb impact $52 for a kit http://www.skydex.com/

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BybUIpl55qZwZWp1a2x6aWR2T1k/edit?usp=sharing

PoronXRD - memory foam that can be for comfort or will absorb impacts as well, becoming well known in sporting protective equipment

http://www.rogerscorp.com/hpf/applications/6/Shock-Absorption.aspx

Poronxrd is a type of memory foam or slow acting foam used for comfort and impact protection, this is being considered for the comfort padding

http://poronxrd.com/howitworks/index.aspx

Xenith adaptive head protection, shock absorbers in helmet http://www.xenith.com/

Unequal Technology - Here’s a link to how it works, there’s two layers of foam, the inner one for comfort the outer one more rigid to absorb some impact then a layer of Kevlar in between that disperses the energy across the helmet. They have shown it works and also have plenty of patents for it too so not sure if we can replicate it or try and partner up but it will be worth investigating. $80 for a full pad kit

http://www.unequal.com/head

Arpro - Claims to absorb impact over an over, to replace EPS liner http://www.arpro.com/as/applications/safety.php

Teamwendy - high impact foams http://www.teamwendy.com/technology/materials/

Sorbothane - used in orthodics and comfort materials, both for impact protection and comfort. current product range found here:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BybUIpl55qZwcmRqOXJ5SGlaNGc/edit?usp=sharing

vibration stats an data here:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_k8Aip8vyhkbkdCTUljRUxjUGc/edit?usp=sharing

D3O - similar to poronXRD http://www.d3o.com/

6D Claim to reduce concussions, use a floating liner http://www.6dhelmets.com/

MIPS - claim to reduce brain rotation, slightly different but relevant http://mipshelmet.com/how-it-works/the_invention