A new breakthrough could help protect U.S. soldiers to avoid a common injury associated the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The invention is a face shield and visor that would be added to the standard-issue helmet worn by the troops that could help protect the soldier from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The studies being done model the shock waves that pass through the head. The face shield guards a portion of the blast that would normally affect the brain.
In recent wars, the most common injury is known as “blast-induced traumatic brain injury.” An estimated 1.5 million Americans sustain mild traumatic brain injury each year, and nearly 200,000 service members sustained TBIs as a result of explosions. While direct impact clearly injures the brain, explosives that can send shock waves through the head are more difficult to characterize.
The test involved a simulator of a human head that included layers of fat, skin, the skull, and different kinds of brain tissue. From there a shock wave from an explosion was detonated right in front of the face under three conditions: a head without any protection, a head protect by the currently used combat helmet and a head covered with the helmet plus the polycarbonate face shield.
The results showed that today’s helmet doesn’t add to the damage, but it also didn’t help. The addition of a face shield had improved the condition. Using both the helmet and the face shield delayed the transmission of blast wave stresses to the head, and proved to be a more effective strategy for dealing with these injuries. The helmets were designed to stop bullets and debris, not pressure waves. The long-term effects are largely unknown, but they can result in concussions, long-term brain damage, and death.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a TBI call LegalView today to learn more about your options from a brain injury lawyer. Call 1-866-9LAW-NOW (1-866-952-9669).
Tags: Brain Injuries
This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 at 3:18 pm and is filed under Traumatic Brain Injury. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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