# US 11,406,558 B2 · Reducing brain injury by limiting brain motion during sudden deceleration or acceleration of the head

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- Number: US 11,406,558 B2
- Document ID: US11406558B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/467,912
- Filed: 2017-03-23
- Published: 2017-10-26
- Granted: 2022-08-09
- Earliest claimed: 2016-04-25
- Assignees: PreActive Technologies Inc.
- Applicants: PreActive Technologies Inc.
- Inventors: Vincent E. Bryan; Randal P. Ching; Daniel Reed Baker
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11406558B2

## CPC

- A61H 9/0078: {with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs (mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776)}
- A41D 13/018: inflatable automatically
- A41D 13/05: protecting only a particular body part (ear protectors A61F11/06)
- A42B 3/0406: {Accessories for helmets}
- A42B 3/0433: {Detecting, signalling or lighting devices}
- A42B 3/046: {Means for detecting hazards or accidents}
- A61B 5/11: Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb {(A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721)}
- A61B 5/1114: {Tracking parts of the body}
- A61B 5/6803: {Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles}
- A61B 5/7267: {involving training the classification device}
- A61N 1/00: Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor (A61N2/00 takes precedence; irradiation apparatus A61N5/00)
- A61N 1/0456: {Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]}
- A61N 1/0484: {Garment electrodes worn by the patient}
- A61N 1/36014: {External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes (external pacemakers A61N1/3625)}
- A63B 71/081: {fluid-filled, e.g. air-filled}
- A63B 71/085: {Mouth or teeth protectors (A63B71/081 takes precedence)}
- A63B 71/10: for the head ({A63B71/081 takes precedence } ; in the form of caps or hats A42B1/08; helmets A42B3/00)
- A61B 5/4836: {Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods (A61B5/0036 takes precedence)}
- A61B 17/135: inflatable
- A61H 2201/5058: Sensors or detectors
- A63B 69/002: {for football (American-football dummies A63B69/34)}
- A63B 2209/10: with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
- A63B 2210/50: Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
- A63B 2220/40: Acceleration
- A63B 2220/53: Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
- A63B 2220/58: Measurement of force related parameters by electric or magnetic means
- A63B 2220/801: Contact switches
- A63B 2225/20: with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
- A63B 2225/50: Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
- A63B 2225/62: Inflatable
- A63B 2243/007: American football
- G16H 50/70: for mining of medical data, e.g. analysing previous cases of other patients
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)
- A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A42B: HATS; HEAD COVERINGS (headbands A41D20/00; head-scarves A41D23/00)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA

## Abstract

A brain injury reduction system provides a protective measure that temporarily or decreases venous drainage out of the intracranial compartment during or immediately before and during a sudden change in acceleration of an individual's head. Specifically, a wearable helmet or other wearable structure of the brain injury reduction system detects an impending collision and determines whether a protective measure is needed. If so, one or more actuation devices provides the protective measure to reduce venous drainage through one or both of the internal jugular veins or paravertebral venous plexus. A first actuation device stimulates a gag reflex or valsalva-like maneuver to reduce venous drainage through the paravertebral venous plexus. A second actuation device can physically compress the internal jugular veins. Thus, the brain injury reduction system minimizes the detrimental impact that may occur due to the sudden change in acceleration of the individual's head.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for reducing a severity of a brain injury incurred by an individual due to a change in head acceleration of the individual, the system comprising:
a wearable sensing device comprising:
a wearable housing configured to be worn on the body of the individual, and
one or more sensors positioned on or within the wearable housing to detect an occurring or impending event that would result in the change in head acceleration;
a first wearable actuation device comprising:
a first plurality of electrodes configured to stimulate one or more abdominal muscles or one or more abdominal nerves of the individual when an electric signal is applied to the plurality of electrodes;
a second wearable actuation device comprising:
a second plurality of electrodes configured to stimulate nerves of the individual to cause glottis closure in the individual or to cause a gag reflex in the individual; and
communication electronics on or within at least one of the wearable sensing device, the first wearable actuation device, and the second wearable actuation device, the communication electronics configured to:
transmit, subsequent to detection of the occurring or impending event by the one or more sensors of the wearable sensing device, a first input to the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device, the first input triggering an actuated state of the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device, during which the first wearable actuation device applies the electric signal to the first plurality of electrodes and the second wearable actuation device applies the electric signal to the second plurality of electrodes, and
after a duration of time from transmitting the first input, transmit a second input to the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device, the second input causing the actuated state to cease and to transition into a rest state of the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device, during which the first wearable actuation device no longer applies the electric signal to the first plurality of electrodes and the second wearable actuation device no longer applies the electric signal to the second plurality of electrodes.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable housing is a housing of a helmet.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of electrodes of the second wearable actuation device are configured to transcutaneously stimulate the laryngeal nerves or the glossopharyngeal nerve of the individual when the electric signal is applied to the second plurality of electrodes.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the second wearable actuation device comprises:
a first end comprising a first electrode;
a second end comprising a second electrode;
an external cavity configured to receive teeth of the individual; and
an actuating component for providing an electric input to the glossopharyngeal nerve of the individual through the first electrode of the first end and the second electrode of the second end to cause the gag reflex.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a third wearable actuation device comprising:
a first end;
a second end; and
a housing configured to be circumferentially positioned around a neck of the individual, the housing comprising a first extendable protrusion and a second extendable protrusion,
wherein the first extendable protrusion of the third wearable actuation device is configured to compress a left internal jugular vein when in the actuated state, and
wherein the second extendable protrusion is configured to compress a right internal jugular vein of the individual when in the actuated state.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the first extendable protrusion of the third wearable actuation device is located on an inner surface of the third wearable actuation device, and wherein the second extendable protrusion of the third wearable actuation device is located on an inner surface of the third wearable actuation device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the housing of the third wearable actuation device has a larger curvature in the actuated state than when in the rest state.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a computing system in communication with the wearable sensing device of the system, the computing system configured to apply a trained machine-learning model to data corresponding to the occurring or impending event detected by the one or more sensors of the wearable sensing device to determine the first input.

### Claim 9

A method for reducing severity of a brain injury incurred by an individual due to a change in head acceleration of the individual, the method comprising:
detecting an occurring or impending event to a head of the individual;
subsequent to detection of the occurring or impending event, providing a first input to a first wearable actuation device comprising a first plurality of electrodes configured to stimulate one or more abdominal muscles or one or more abdominal nerves of the individual when an electric signal is applied to the plurality of electrodes and to a second wearable actuation device comprising a second plurality of electrodes configured to stimulate nerves of the individual to cause glottis closure in the individual or to cause a gag reflex in the individual, the first input triggering an actuated state of the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device, during which the first wearable actuation device applies the electric signal to the first plurality of electrodes and the second wearable actuation device applies the electric signal to the second plurality of electrodes; and
after a duration of time from providing the first input, providing a second input to the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device, the second input causing the actuated state to cease and to transition into a rest state of the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device, during which the first wearable actuation device no longer applies the electric signal to the first plurality of electrodes and the second wearable actuation device no longer applies the electric signal to the second plurality of electrodes.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein after a duration of time, providing the second input to the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device comprises:
detecting a subsequent event to the head of the individual after providing the first input to the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device; and
responsive to detecting the subsequent event,
providing the second input to the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein after a duration of time, providing the second input to the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device comprises:
detecting that a duration of time has elapsed;
responsive to detecting that the duration of time has elapsed, providing the second input to the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising:
responsive to detecting the occurring or impending event, determining whether a protective measure is required based on data corresponding to the occurring or impending event, and
wherein the first input is provided to the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device responsive to determining that the protective measure is required.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the data corresponding to the occurring or impending event comprises a position of the individual relative to an object with which that individual is or will collide.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein determining whether a protective measure is required comprises applying the data corresponding to the occurring or impending event as an input to a trained machine-learning model.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein detecting the occurring or impending event to a head of the individual comprises detecting a change in one of air pressure waves or electromagnetic waves.

### Claim 16

A system for reducing a severity of a brain injury incurred by an individual due to a change in head acceleration of the individual, the system comprising:
one or more means for detecting an occurring or impending event that would result in the change in head acceleration; one or more means for,
subsequent to detection of the occurring or impending event,
actuating a first wearable actuation device to apply an electric signal to a first plurality of electrodes that are configured to stimulate one or more abdominal muscles or one or more abdominal nerves of the individual when an electric signal is applied to the plurality of electrodes, and
one or more means for,
subsequent to detection of the occurring or impending event,
actuating a second wearable actuation device to apply an electric signal to a second plurality of electrodes that are configured to stimulate nerves of the individual to cause glottis closure in the individual or to cause a gag reflex in the individual, and
after a duration of time from actuating the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device, causing a rest state of the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device, during which the first wearable actuation device no longer applies the electric signal to the first plurality of electrodes and the second wearable actuation device no longer applies the electric signal to the second plurality of electrodes.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more means for detecting the occurring or impending event comprise one or more sensors positioned on or within a housing configured to be worn on the body of the individual.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of electrodes are positioned on or within a housing of the first wearable actuation device.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, further comprising one or more means for actuating a third wearable actuation device configured to compress internal jugular veins of the individual.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor and a memory in at least one of the wearable sensing device, the first wearable actuation device, and the second wearable actuation device, the memory storing code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to:
receive data captured by the one or more sensors of the wearable sensing device, the data indicating detection of an occurring or impending event;
determine whether a protective measure for the individual is needed based on the received data; and
in response to a determination that the protective measure is needed, instruct the communication electronics to transmit the first input to the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The system of claim 20, wherein the memory further stores code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to:
after the communication electronics is instructed to transmit the first input to the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device, determine whether the protective measure for the individual is not needed any more; and
in response to a determination that the protective measure is not needed any more, instruct the communication electronics to transmit the second input to the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The system of claim 21, wherein the code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to determine whether the protective measure for the individual is not needed any more comprise code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to:
determine whether a threshold duration of time has elapsed since the detection of the occurring or impending event.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The system of claim 21, wherein the code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to determine whether the protective measure for the individual is not needed any more comprise code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to:
receive second data captured by the one or more sensors of the wearable sensing device, the second data indicating detection of a second occurring or impending event; and
determine whether the protective measure for the individual is not needed any more based on the received second data.

### Claim 24 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more means for actuating the second wearable actuation device comprise one or more means for actuating the second plurality of electrodes configured to stimulate the laryngeal nerve or the glossopharyngeal nerve of the individual.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The system of claim 24, wherein the second wearable actuation device comprises:
a first end comprising a first electrode of the plurality of additional electrodes;
a second end comprising a second electrode of the plurality of additional electrodes;
an external cavity configured to receive teeth of the individual; and
an actuating component for providing an electric input to the glossopharyngeal nerve of the individual through the first electrode of the first end and the second electrode of the second end to cause the gag reflex.

### Claim 26 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more means for detecting one of the occurring or impending event further comprise:
a computing system in communication with the one or more sensors, the computing system configured to apply a trained machine-learning model to data corresponding to the occurring or impending event detected by the one or more sensors to determine an input to the first wearable actuation device and the second wearable actuation device, the input instructing the first wearable actuation device to apply the electric signal to the first plurality of electrodes and instructing the second wearable actuation device to apply the electric signal to the second plurality of electrodes.