Device to reduce head injury risk

Abstract

Described herein is a wearable device for redirecting head impact force from the head of a person to other body part or parts of the person, the device comprising: a helmet wearable on the head of the person; a brace wearable on the body of the person; and at least one force redirecting unit configured for connection to the helmet and the brace, wherein at least one of the force redirecting unit is configured to be compressed to carry compressive load, and at least one of the force redirecting unit is configured to be extended to carry tensile load.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for redirecting head impact force from a head of a person to other part or parts of a body of the person, the device comprising:
 a helmet wearable on the head of the person;   a brace wearable on the body of the person; and   at least one force redirecting unit configured for connection to the helmet and the brace, wherein at least one of the at least one force redirecting unit is configured to be compressed to carry compressive load, and at least one of the at least one force redirecting unit is configured to be extended to carry tensile load.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the brace comprises at least one of a shoulder pad, a vest, a body harness, and a hood. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the brace comprises a protruding platform, and the at least one force redirecting unit is configured for connection to the brace on the protruding platform. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of force redirecting units such that at least one of amplitudes and durations of accelerations in three dimensions of translation and three dimensions of rotation can be reduced. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one force redirecting unit comprises at least one of a telescopic strut, a viscoelastic hood, and an assembly of a cable and a compressive member; and wherein the at least one force redirecting unit is configured to respond to an acceleration caused by the head impact force while permitting motion of the person. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the telescopic strut is a telescopic damper comprising a piston, at least one control valve, and at least one chamber containing a fluid, wherein the at least one control valve is configured to funnel the fluid into or out of the chamber to resist motion of the piston caused by the head impact force. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the telescopic damper defines a stepped orifice for transporting the fluid into and out of the chamber, wherein the stepped orifice comprises a small orifice and a large orifice; and wherein the telescopic damper further comprises a spring at least partially disposed within the large orifice, and a ball connected to the spring, wherein the ball is configured to be moved by the fluid to an entrance of the large orifice to block the large orifice. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the telescopic damper defines an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and further includes two valves connecting the upper chamber and the lower chamber, wherein a first valve allows the fluid to flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber, and a second valve allows the fluid to flow from the lower chamber to the upper chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the telescopic strut comprises at least one of a latch and a hook on at least one end of the telescopic strut for release from at least one of the helmet and the brace. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the viscoelastic hood comprises a viscoelastic material that is viscous at rest and is configured to be stiffened to maintain a head posture in response to an acceleration caused by the head impact force. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the acceleration is detected by a sensor configured to detect the neuromuscular impulse of muscles in response to the head impact force. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the compressive member comprises an inflatable unit configured to inflate to maintain a head posture. 
     
     
         13 . A device for reducing head and neck injury during an impact, comprising:
 a helmet wearable on a head of a person;   a brace wearable on a body of the person;   a first force redirecting unit configured for connection to the helmet and the brace, and configured to resist compressive strain in response to an impact force exerted on the helmet; and   a second force redirecting unit configured for connection to the helmet and the brace, and configured to resist tensile strain in response to the impact force exerted on the helmet.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the first force redirecting unit and the second force redirecting unit comprise any combination of a telescopic strut, a viscoelastic hood, and an assembly of a cable and a compressive member. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the telescopic strut comprises at least two stages. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the telescopic strut comprises a motor for actuating the telescopic strut, and a controller for sensing an acceleration caused by the head impact force and controlling the motor based on the sensing. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the motor is configured for connection to the brace. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a motion sensor for detecting an acceleration caused by the impact force. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the motion sensor for detecting the acceleration is at least one of an accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a pressure sensor, a strain gauge, a centrifugal force meter, and a velocity meter. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the centrifugal force meter comprises:
 a drum for transforming a linear motion into an angular motion;   a wheel including a movable tab connected to the wheel through a torsional element;   a pinion gear connecting the drum and the wheel; and   a clutch including an indention in an inner surface of the clutch;   wherein the movable tab is configured to contact the indention in the inner surface of the clutch to stop a rotation of the wheel when a centrifugal force of the movable tab caused by a rotation of the wheel exceeds a threshold level.