Here's a good article about a new helmet that works similar to a car bumper to mitigate concussions. It's designed by a company named Vicis.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/revolutionary-helmet-deforms-absorb-impacts...
Dubbed the Zero1, Vicis' concussion solution is a multilayered, flexible helmet that's particularly adept at diminishing rotational and linear impact forces. Specifically, the helmet was constructed to utilize four separate layers which work in perfect harmony with one another.
Also of interest:
Moving forward, Vicis plans to put its Zero1 helmet to the ultimate test; Virginia Tech's STAR rating system for concussion protection. Essentially, the system gives helmets a five-star score based on how well they absorb force impact, as well as their ability to protect against head injuries.
This seems like a really smart way to look at the helmet design. I don't know how well they would hold up with constant collisions, but certainly is a step in the right direction.
Edit: This is from their website: https://www.artefactgroup.com/content/work/vicis/
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Moving forward, Vicis plans to put its Zero1 helmet to the ultimate test; Virginia Tech's STAR rating system for concussion protection. Essentially, the system gives helmets a five-star score based on how well they absorb force impact, as well as their ability to protect against head injuries.
I really like that bit.
Assuming they can get past the NOCSAE helmet standard, then VT would test their helmet regardless of if they "planned" for VT to test it or not. Virginia Tech buys helmets that are on the shelves and approved for use in the sport regardless of if the manufacturer agrees with the testing methods.
I just like that VT's rating is getting credit as the "ultimate test". I still think that the tackling techniques being taught need to change to fix the concussion issue, but this can be that second protective system for all other kinds of impacts
The VT rating system is THE test for helmet makers nowadays. There are others out there, but the one from VT is widely regarded as the one to follow that includes no commercial bias.
For anyone wondering, here is what their product looks like.
"The future of helmet protection"
Just to be clear, the helmet would be protecting the head, so head protection.
Possible Slogans:
It protects you from Spear Tackling Defenders
Put this on if you don't want to ruin your future
Almost as safe as sitting on the sidelines and watching your friends go at it.
Helmet to helmet contact is not desired, but this product is designed to protect the user from such encounters.
It feels like your not wearing any protection at all
STUPID SEXY FLANDERS!!
Could someone that is better with computers than I am make this a VT helmet? I think this would look awesome on the field.
The fact that the mannequin head in the video doesn't move on impact is critical. I'm not a trauma doctor, but it limits the number of impacts from one collision. The absorption philosophy spreads the impact so that the head doesn't receive the full force of the collision. Meanwhile, the standard helmet on the right is bouncing around causing multiplie impacts in one collision. The force of the impact is sent through the body. It reminds me a little if the safe barriers at NASCAR tracks.
Does it perform well in extreme hot and cold temperatures?
The users head will help warm up the flexing materials.
....Did I just write that?....
PHRASING! Boom!
Love the safety and the look of this helmet. How long before we can see it being used? (Hopefully at Tech first).
Hold your horses on the "safety" aspect of the helmet. This hasn't been tested at NOCSAE yet. It first needs to meet their minimum standard and then it can be compared against existing helmets.
Ok, pumping breaks. But it looks superior from the video. I would like to see how it progresses.
The VT sticker will still find a way to overlap a vent hole.
Thats great, but what about collisions from the side, front, and back?
Helmet looks cool and I'm sure it will help with certain types of head trauma, but it still doesn't solve the basic problem of concussions, i.e. in stopping the brain from moving in the direction of motion and hitting the inside of the skull. I'm not a brain expert, on any level, but from my reading on the subject matter this appears to be the main causes of concussions. The player's skulls are not being fractured or even bruised, but the movement of the brain, due to momentum, continues to move until it hits the inside of the skull. This sometimes causes bruising of the brain depending on the velocity of the hit, but more insidious is when the damage is caused to the neurons themselves that make-up the brain. The connecting between neurons can be snapped and if enough connections are snapped between neurons over time, dementia occurs.
YouTube Video #1
YouTube Video #2
You are correct, but using this analogy, we wouldn't have cars being designed to collapse and absorb and an airbag wouldn't help. There is only so much protection that can be applied but any help in making a collision lest rigid should be an improvement as long as all the other collision factors aren't worsened. Keeping a slick shell is also essential to promoting glancing blows.
if it can reduce the acceleration of the head by dissipating the initial contact (doubly so for helmet to helmet collisions) and the deceleration of the head during secondary collisions, then it should reduce the chance of concussions. Your head has dampening properties that keep your brain from smacking your skull under normal circumstances. Concussions occur when the head is subjected to forces that are beyond your bodies capabilities to adjust. Just like an airbag can prevent a concussion by slowing the rate of deceleration of your head and crumple zones can reduce injury by reducing the deceleration of everyone in the vehicle, a helmet that has more give can reduce acceleration/deceleration of the skull, thus reducing concussion risk.
#sauces: I used to work here. Specifically testing cars for whiplash/concussion risk in rear impact crashes.
The car bumper analogy doesn't really fit. Car bumpers (and other parts for that matter) are designed to "crumple" and absorb energy by plastically deforming. This means that the material cannot return to it's original shape and in the process dissipates energy. Think about if you backed into a tree at 5 mph. Your bumper would be dented even at the lowest impact speed. This helmet on the other hand is designed to return to it's original shape, thus it returns energy into the system. Therefore, the car bumper analogy doesn't work.
Very good point. The article says that it "absorbs a hit like a car bumper" but to your point, that isn't really true.
A really interesting article shows that repairing the damage done to the brain due to these concussive hits might be on the horizon:
Science Translational Medicine
Here is an article that summarize the article for those without access:
Science Alert Article
The reason why it might help with repairing the damage due to concussions is that this technique, if it is proven to work in humans, is that the neurotoxic amyloid plaques are found in people who suffer concussions. Its not a sure thing, but the research may prove promising.
Nice. Then we can get back to the old school helmets because we'll just fix it after it happens.
Pricetag = $1500/ea.
via GIPHY