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A university student has designed a prototype of a device that can detect sports-related concussions in less than 10 seconds.
Joel Poulter developed the wearable CONTACT device to provide objective and rapid assessment of players, enabling decisions to be made on and off the field with player safety at the forefront.
Mr Poulter, who completed his Bachelor of Science in Product Design and Technology at Loughborough University in Leicestershire earlier this year, designed CONTACT after his own experiences with concussions during 15 years of rugby.
It detects abnormal changes in a person’s pupils by shining light into the user’s eyes. It measures factors such as pupil size, how quickly they constrict and how quickly they respond to the light stimulus, all of which are inhibited by traumatic brain injury.
These are then compared to the students’ baseline values before the start of the game to determine whether a player has a concussion.
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Mr Poulter, 23, said: “It is incredibly important to detect concussions early as returning to play prematurely after a concussion runs the risk of second impact syndrome, which is often fatal.
I have had several first-hand experiences with concussions, and I have friends who have suffered the effects of concussions, causing them to stop playing altogether
“Multiple concussions during sports are also associated with long-term health problems, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, which can lead to dementia later in life.”
“I have had several first-hand experiences with concussions, and I have friends who have suffered the effects of concussions, which have resulted in them giving up playing altogether.
“I am very aware of how difficult it can be to recognize a concussion from a personal and external perspective.
“I wanted to develop a non-subjective test that would provide rapid assessment and could be used at all levels of sport, particularly in amateur games where there is often little or no medical support and therefore concussions are likely to be missed.”
Concussions are often measured using a “follow my finger” test, which provides subjective results.
Mr Poulter’s prototype is capable of measuring pupillary response in both eyes, which is captured by an internal infrared camera.
It was tested on nine participants, using analysis software to determine the maximum and minimum size of a pupil, the speed of constriction and the time it took for a pupil to respond to the light stimulus.
This could prevent serious health problems from occurring and players having to give up the sport they love
It is hoped that the software can be integrated into CONTACT in the future along with an app that provides medical instructions and data.
Mr Poulter said: “I want CONTACT to become a tool used by every club, school and university so we can tackle concussions in all contact sports.”
“If concussions can be accurately identified, recovery can be prioritized and we can ensure players only return to the field after full recovery.
“This could prevent serious health problems and prevent players from having to give up the sport they love.”
Loughborough University has been named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the QS World University Rankings 2023, receiving this award for the seventh year in a row.
CONTACT was presented at the university’s School of Design and Creative Arts Degree Show and Foundation Exhibition Student Showcase in June.
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