DETECT: A Rapid, Portable Technology to Screen for Concussions and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Application

DETECT is a computerized system for diagnosing mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in diverse and austere environments.

Key Benefits

  • Heads up display and immersive platform eliminate the need for controlled testing environments, allowing for neuropsychological testing in locations closer to point of injury (e.g. sports sidelines or battlefield).
  • Allows for rapid administration (10-15 min) of sensitive neuropsychological tests to identify mTBI shortly after injury.

Market Summary

Millions of people suffer TBI each year in the U.S. Of them, approximately 75% are considered mild TBI (or concussions). Concussions are of a growing concern for organized sports (including NFL, NHL, etc.) the public, and the military - with approximately 30% of warfighters suffering from TBI. Current methods for initial diagnosis rely on subjective assessments at the time of injury and laborious neuropsychological testing administered days after injury. The inability to rapidly screen for TBI shortly after exposure limits real time decision support and delays diagnosis. These delays could significantly impact medical treatment and increase the risk for further injury.

Technical Summary

The DETECT system creates an immersive environment for the rapid and early assessment of mTBI. The system consists of a wearable VR heads up display with noise reductive audio headphones to isolate the test subject from surrounding environment and to deliver computerized versions of mTBI neuropsychological exams. The subject’s responses are input using a hand-held controller similar to current video game console. Multiple key brain pathways are interrogated by a suite of test batteries and performance is quantified based on the accuracy and timing of responses submitted in the test modules. Unlike current neuropsychological testing which requires hours in a quiet, controlled environment to administer, the immersive environment created by the DETECT system allows for neuropsychological testing in environments that the examiner does not have full control over, such as the sidelines of sporting events, hospital emergency rooms, or war zones. Detect may also be used to identify early onset of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease. Outcomes are available immediately after test completion.

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Patent Information

App Type Country Serial No. Patent No. File Date Issued Date Patent Status
Nationalized PCT - United States United States 11/503,579 8,568,311 8/10/2006 10/29/2013 Issued
Nationalized PCT - United States United States 15/510,396 10,506,966 3/10/2017 12/17/2019 Issued
Tech ID: NCS.18
Published: 12/22/2015