Tag Archives: technology
Arizona Medical Device Startup Company Seeks to Simplify Concussion Detection
One Arizona company is hoping to expedite the concussion-detection process. With one drop of blood and a hand-held medical device from BioDirection Inc., military personnel and sports trainers at all levels may someday be able to screen concussions at the spot of the injury.
After raising “most of a $3 million round of private financing, according to a new U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing”, BioDirection, Inc. will use this seed money to “finish the design and start production of its diagnostic device.”
The company states that “ its device uses nanowire technology to screen a drop of blood for two protein biomarkers that may indicate brain injury.” The device, called Tbit, may launch as early as this year if the manufacturer “can secure necessary regulatory clearance.”
Although the “rapid detection of brain injury has become a target for several technology companies,” BioDirection’s biomarker concept “has gained a following in recent years.” (PDF).
Schutt Sports Reports Record Breaking Year in 2012, Fueled by New Helmet
Delivering more helmets than in any single year since it entered the football helmet market nearly 30 years ago, Schutt Sports also reported record profitability for 2012. All of this occurred at the same time the company introduced a new helmet into the marketplace that may protect against or mitigate the damage from concussions.
“It was a remarkable year, in many ways,” said Robert Erb, President/CEO of Schutt. “We built and shipped more helmets than in any other year in our brand’s 94 year history. We were able to sell that many helmets without sacrificing profitability; in fact, our profitability in 2012 was the best in our history. If that’s not enough, we also introduced the best helmet we’ve ever made, the Vengeance DCT. The Vengeance has been an unconditional success with our dealers and incredibly well received by the market.”
The Vengeance DCT helmet is seen as a key component for that sustained growth. According to Erb, the Vengeance is a unique helmet that was introduced into the marketplace at the right time. The Vengeance first began shipping in the summer of 2012 and became a very popular helmet for the company’s dealer network. The initial orders for the Vengeance far exceeded the company’s projections for the 2012 buying season.
In marketing materials last year, the company noted that the Vengeance features the fourth generation of Schutt’s patented TPU Cushioning.
“TPU Cushioning is already proven to absorb more high-level impact in game-like conditions than traditional foam padding,” Glenn Beckmann, director of marketing communications for Schutt Sports, said at the time. “Our new Dual Density TPU is designed to also meet and better absorb those lower level impacts, which have been shown to potentially have a cumulative, negative effect on the brain, leading to progressive degenerative diseases.”
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Tagged helmet, industry, technology
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Hockey Canada Launches Free Concussion Awareness Application
The NHL may be stalled in Canada, but not the sport.
That was evident late this week when Hockey Canada launched free concussion awareness apps for smartphones and tablets.
The Hockey Canada Concussion Awareness apps, which are endorsed by Team Canada alumnus Sidney Crosby, are available in both English and French, with versions for adults and kids. The apps include “a variety of resources and information on concussions, focusing on prevention, respect, rules, symptoms and return to play protocol. All these apps are available for Blackberry, iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded free on several websites and platforms including www.HockeyCanada.ca, Blackberry’s App World, iTunes and Google Play Store.”
“This app has a variety of very useful information on concussions for parents, players, officials and volunteers,” said Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson. “Download this app to your phone or tablet today, and you will have concussion information on prevention, rules, symptoms and ‘return to play’ protocol at your fingertips.”
Crosby added: “I feel very fortunate that hockey has been part of my life since I was very young and admire Hockey Canada’s commitment to educating families and players about all aspects of the game. It is important to always give your best effort and yet always be respectful of everyone on the ice. Be smart, stay safe and have fun.”
One version of the Hockey Canada concussion awareness app was developed for kids, “and is a great tool to teach children how to prevent concussions through respect and playing by the rules,” according to the association. “The app also puts important concussion information into easy to follow information for young players. It also contains an interactive game that features Hockey Canada’s mascot, Puckster.
“This Hockey Canada initiative is part of a national project bringing together Hockey Canada, ThinkFirst Pensez d’Abord Canada (TFC), a program of Parachute, leaders in injury prevention, the Canadian Centre for Ethics and Sport (CCES) and the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). The project is aimed at reducing brain injuries in team sports in Canada and is funded in part by the federal government through its Active and Safe Initiative.”
For more information on Hockey Canada, its programs and concussion awareness, visit www.hockeycanada.ca/apps
