Young Scientist Uses 3D Printing to Help Diagnose Concussions
The problem is that a concussion can be difficult to detect, especially in an athlete who has been taught to just “shake off” pain or discomfort. Many people think that a concussion always results in a loss of consciousness, but it doesn’t, so it’s important not to ignore other symptoms. In addition, an actual blow to the head isn’t necessary for a concussion, either. Any movement that causes the head to move violently enough to jostle the brain can cause one.
Liam O’Mara, a second year student at Castletroy College, got hit on the head while playing sports, and while it didn’t cause a concussion, it made him think about better ways to determine the extent of head injuries on the field. So he is developing a device that he named the Hel-Mate for the BT Young Scientist competition. The Hel-Mate is a small box that attaches to the back of a helmet and identifies impacts that cross a certain g-force threshold, which would alert a team medic.
An accelerator in the device would measure the movement on the head of an athlete, and that data would be interpreted by a microprocessor. The data would be sent to an iPad held by a coach or medic. If an impact causes a level of g-force strong enough to cause a concussion, the medic can call the player off the field for an examination.
O’Mara is still working on the device; he is currently 3D printing a housing for it to fit into and believes he can make it smaller and easier to fit onto a helmet. An intermittent problem with the transmitter is being worked out as well. He is also working on developing the code for the app that will be used to transmit the data to the iPad at the side of the field.
The tragic stories resulting from traumatic brain injuries have spurred a great deal of research and work towards making helmets more effective at preventing these types of injuries. Much of that work has involved 3D printing, as manufacturers use the technology to better prototype and design new types of helmets that can better protect players from concussions and other injuries. Injuries are still going to happen, however, and there’s still going to be a danger of them going undetected, especially injuries that don’t result from an actual blow to the head. O’Mara’s device won’t prevent those injuries, but it will allow them to be caught right away, preventing greater complications and even tragedies in the future.
Discuss this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts below.
[Source: TheJournal.ie]
Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and receive information and offers from third party vendors.
Print Services
You May Also Like
Australia Teacher Brought 3D Printed Gun to School, Police Say
Australian police are investigating a school teacher who allegedly brought a 3D printed handgun to school. According to official reports, the teacher, who works at a school in Canberra, did...
Aussie 3D Printing OEM AML3D Expands into UK Defense Market via BAE Systems Deal
The Australian original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of wire additive manufacturing (WAM) systems, AML3D, has made expansion into the US defense market the cornerstone of its business strategy since pivoting a...
Conflux 3D Prints Cooling System for Australia’s Zero-Emission Hydrogen Aircraft
In a major step toward zero-emissions aviation, Australian aircraft manufacturer AMSL Aero is developing one of the most ambitious electric aircraft in the world: Vertiia, a hydrogen-powered vertical takeoff and...
BellaSeno’s 3D Printed Breast Implants Keep Shape with 87% Fat Volume, Avoids Silicone Risks
At a medical conference in Austin this week, a new kind of breast implant took center stage. It is not made from silicone but from a 3D printed, fully resorbable...