ONR embarks on sensors project to diagnose brain injuries
NewsJanuary 18, 2017
ARLINGTON, Va. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has announced that it will sponsor the development of a portable, three-part system that can measure blast pressure, establish injury thresholds for the brain, and analyze potential traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms in warfighters, who may be injured despite wearing protective body armor.
The program -- called Blast Load Assessment Sense and Test (BLAST) -- uses rugged coin-sized sensors that can be mounted on helmets and body armor and are able to record blast pressure. This recorded pressure can be downloaded with a specialized scanner that uses an algorithm to convert data into a “go/no-go” injury threshold for the affected personnel. The BLAST data would indicate whether the exposed warfighter is able to stay in the field or if he or she needs a TBI-focused medical exam with the third component of the BLAST system, a neurofunctional-assessment tool. This assessment tool is the size of a computer mouse, can fit in the palm of one's hand, and emits vibrations to stimulate fingertip sensations and assess brain health. With this tool, a medic or corpsman can test whether or not the affected personnel can feel these vibrations and can then use the data to decide if the person is exhibiting TBI symptoms and needs to stand down.
Dr. Timothy Bentley, a program manager overseeing the research for ONR’s Warfighter Performance Department, says that the BLAST system will be ready for testing on field mannequins within the next year and a half and will subsequently be used by Marines completing breacher training -- overcoming obstacles such as walls and doors using explosives.
