Researchers at the University of Florida believe they have developed way to make football helmets safer and better protect players against the glancing blows that many brain injury experts have argued contribute to most concussions. Concussions are classified as a mild to moderate form of traumatic brain injury (TBI), though recent studies are linking multiple concussion injuries with serious, long-term consequences.
Until now, sports and other protective helmets have been largely marketed for their shock-absorbing characteristics; features focused on minimizing the effects of a direct blow or protecting the skull against contact with hard surfaces like foreign objects, other helmets, or concrete.
University of Florida Researcher May Have a Solution for Rotational, Off-Center Hits
Ghatu Subhash, an engineering professor at the University of Florida (UF) at Gainesville, claims to have developed special fluid-filled pouches that may increase a helmet’s protective capabilities against glancing blows. Subhash’s new research includes tests that show these pouches can protect the brain from the rotational or shearing force of off-center hits on helmets – a type of protection not offered by any helmets to date. Providing this type of protection has posed a steep, long-term challenge to engineers and equipment manufacturers.
Subhash explained that he developed the idea of using fluid in pouches while he was working on another project to improve the Kevlar helmets and body armor currently used by the military. He said:
“The fluid-filled cells within the helmet respond, so no matter the angle of impact, the helmet automatically protects any part of the head.”
Subhash is joined in his efforts by two colleagues, UF neurosurgeon, Ian Heger and UF radiologist, Keith Peters. Together, they plan to unveil the helmet on or around January 16th, with further plans to demonstrate its full functional effectiveness on January 20th in a venture capitalist presentation. Subhash also indicated he hopes to have low-cost pouches suitable for retrofitting existing helmets available in stores within two years or sooner. Unlike some other devices and material currently under development, Subhash claims his solution is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and can be made widely available for general public use.
How the Fluid Cells Work to Reduce Force
To effectively mitigate any shearing or rotational forces that travel to the head, a series of pouches filled with non-Newtonian fluids are fitted into any existing helmet’s internal padding system. According to Subhash, these pouches increase resistance to the rotational forces when stressed – effectively blunting the amount of force transmitted to the head.
Subhash offers the example of the popular kid’s toy Flubber or Silly Putty. The putty can be squeezed, pulled, or broken depending on stress. One may also think of chilled, thickened caramel topping. In a semi-rigid container, the caramel can be squeezed or plied – but it sticks in place if the container is suddenly turned upside down. The non-Newtonian fluids used in his pouches/cells share similar fluid transfer properties. Another example of this type of fluid is the thick liquid used in the shock absorbers of modern automobiles, Subhash said. The fluid in these small cells behaves in a very similar manner.
Subhash says that when one of the fluid-filled cells is struck, the fluid is forced (squeezed) through a tube into a second cell, thus neutralizing the amount of rotational force transmitted to the head. The fluid then returns to its original cell after any impact, making the pouches reusable indefinitely. Pouches that rupture after competitive play could be replaced at minimal cost – not unlike replacing any other components of a football helmet when they break or wear out – such as a visor or chinstraps.
Fluid Pouches could Improve All Protective Helmets, NFL Funding could Procure First Large-Scale Application
Subhash hopes any interested parties will be able to fund wider scale testing and manufacturing in an effort to fast track the material’s availability to both public and private sectors. Other private companies interested in Subhash’s work could potentially utilize a portion of the millions of dollars that NFL set aside for concussion research, following its recent $765 million settlement with over 4,500 former players.
Last fall, the NFL announced a $10 million incentive program aimed at improving brain imaging technologies that could help to identify concussions as well as advancing the development of any helmets or devices to effectively reduce concussion risk. Assuming additional test results confirm Subhash’s claims, NFL funding could potentially fast-track the development implementation of his liquid-filled pouches.
Subhash also pointed out the pouches also can be used in nearly any protective helmet, including those used in other contact sports like hockey and lacrosse, as well as by the military, firefighters, racecar drivers, and constructions workers.
Current Helmets Still Fall Short but Advancing Material Developments Show Promise
A rapidly increasing body of academic research has linked repeated hits to the head to which football players are subjected to severe long-term impairments, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a degenerative condition where repeated concussions or similar injuries to the brain contribute to a buildup of a dangerous protein, called Tau, in the brain’s tissue. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy has been linked to the loss of decision-making control, aggression, early-onset dementia, memory deficits, disturbances, serious sleep disturbances, and severe depression.
This growing concern over the long-term repercussions of repeated blows to the head has created market demand for expensive helmets claiming to protect players from concussions. A recent lawsuit filed against football helmet maker, Riddell, claims the “Revolution” helmet model was inaccurately marketed (and sold at a premium price) for its ability to reduce the probability of a concussion by nearly 30 percent.
Frederick Mueller, research director for the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, has been an outspoken critic of such claims and marketing tactics. Mueller said:
“There are no helmets that will protect against concussions. Helmet manufacturers may say that, but none at the present time protect against concussion injuries.”
Mueller’s committee has also consistently warned against the limitations of the testing currently used in a popular 5-Star helmet rating system created by Virginia Tech. Mueller’s biggest criticism of the rating system cites a lack of consideration of rotational forces.
“Many people believe that the rotational forces are more important than linear when you talk about concussions,” Mueller said.
Moving forward, Subhash’s fluid pouches and other advances in polymers used in the interior linings of football helmets could begin to change all of that. If large-scale testing proves conclusive, it is likely the NFL could mandate an amendment to the existing 5-star rating system to include a test inspired by Subhash’s work at UF. Matching Subhash’s pouches with shock-absorbing materials currently under development could soon usher the standard of protective helmets into a new era of protection against concussions.
References:
Chicago Tribune
UCLA Today
Head Health Challenge
