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Indiana researchers developing portable tool to diagnose concussions
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Nicholas Port, PhD, and Steven A. Hitzeman, OD, of the University of Indiana, are developing a portable device to detect signs of mild brain trauma, intended to use for on-site detection of concussions during athletic events.
According to Port in a press release from the university, a sideline device would allow for early detection of concussions, which can cause severe impairment of some ocular and motor performance within the first 10 to 60 minutes following the event.
Port and Hitzeman received two 2-year grants in 2014, one for $429,000 from the National Institutes of Health and the other for $120,000 from the Indiana Brain Injury Research Fund.
The researchers have gathered baseline data on eye movement and balance of 1,000 athletic students from Indiana University, local high schools, clubs and youth sports, which includes 69 concussions.
The device was designed using eye-tracking goggles within a small frame and a balance platform based on technology from the Nintendo Wii gaming system.