Apparatus for reducing brain and cervical spine injury due to rotational movement

Abstract

Serious brain and cervical spine injury is prevented by providing devices to restrain or totally block rotational movement of the head in response to severe acceleration/deceleration. Such devices include a helmet worn by a person, and various devices to dampen, restrain or totally block such rotational movement upon the sensing of severe rotational movement of the head.

1 . A device to restrict rotational acceleration of the head of a person, said device comprising
 a helmet worn on the head of said person,   anti-rotational means secured to said helmet,   sensing means to sense when rotational acceleration is imparted to said head, and   means responsive to said sensing means to reduce the rotational acceleration of said head.   
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said anti-rotational means comprises a reference plate worn at least as a collar at the base of the neck of the person and a plurality of tethers attached between said helmet and said reference plate, further comprising spools around which said tethers move, said spools responsive to significant pull on said tether to restrain further movement of said tethers and restrain rotational acceleration of the head. 
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said anti-rotational means comprises a reference plate worn at least as a collar at the base of the neck of the person and a plurality of tethers attached between said helmet and said reference plate, further comprising spools around which said tethers move, said tethers responsive to significant pull thereon to stiffen and prevent movement. 
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein said spools substantially dampen the tethers against any movement to substantially dampen rotational movement of the head. 
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein said reference plate comprises a flexible material which drapes on the shoulders and torso of the person. 
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein said spools comprise sets of spools to control head rotation on the axial, coronal and sagittal planes. 
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein said spools comprise a simple set of spools with tethers passing therethrough, said spools and tethers preventing rotation of said head. 
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 4 , wherein said reference plate comprises a flexible material which drapes on the shoulders and torso of the person. 
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 4 , wherein said spools comprise sets of spools to control head rotation on the axial, coronal and sagittal planes. 
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 4 , wherein said spools comprise a simple set of spools with tethers passing therethrough, said spools and tethers preventing rotation of said head. 
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said anti-rotational means comprises an inflatable member secured to said helmet, wherein said means responsive to said sensing means causes inflation of said inflatable member. 
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 11 , wherein said inflatable member comprises a collar secured at the bottom of said helmet. 
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 11 , wherein said inflatable member comprises a vest worn front and back on said torso and attached to said helmet, said vest being inflated and preventing rotational movement of said helmet because of the restraint created by said inflatable vest. 
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said helmet resembles a football helmet. 
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said anti-rotational means comprises a reference plate worn at least on the shoulders of the person and a plurality of tethers attached between said helmet and said reference plate, further comprising spools around which said tethers move, said spools responsive to significant pull on said tether to restrain further movement of said tethers and restrain rotational acceleration of the head. 
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein said spools lock the tethers against any movement to substantially stop rotational movement of the head. 
   
   
       17 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein said reference plate comprises a flexible material which drapes on the shoulders and torso of the person. 
   
   
       18 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein said spools comprise sets of spools to control head rotation on the axial, coronal and sagittal planes. 
   
   
       19 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein said spools comprise a single set of spools with tethers passing therethrough, said spools and tethers preventing rotation of said head. 
   
   
       20 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein said anti-rotational means comprises an inflatable member secured to said helmet, wherein said means responsive to said sensing means causes inflation of said inflatable member. 
   
   
       21 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein said inflatable member comprises a collar secured at the bottom of said helmet. 
   
   
       22 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a reference plate worn on the front and back upper torso of a person and a flexible material connected between said helmet and said reference plate substantially in the form of a collar fully encircling the neck of a person, said flexible material becoming stiffer upon sensing fast deflection. 
   
   
       23 . A device according to  claim 22 , wherein said material is one of a group of materials taken from silicone, foam or fluid. 
   
   
       24 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said sensing means comprises means to sense rapid movement of the head with respect to the torso. 
   
   
       25 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said sensing means comprises means to sense rapid movement of the head with respect to a frame of reference other than a part of the body of the person. 
   
   
       26 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein said frame of reference is the interior of a moving vehicle in which the person is riding.