Tech & Innovation in Healthcare

Question: A lot of our patients are athletes who have suffered concussions or other head injuries while playing sports. Time is a critical factor when diagnosing a brain injury, and when a player experiences an injury on the field or court, valuable minutes slip by before an evaluation takes place.

Could technological advancements allow for a portable head injury diagnostic equipment?

Texas Subscriber

Answer: Researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have done just that. Led by Michael Hoffer, MD, professor of otolaryngology and neurological surgery at the Miller School of Medicine in Miami, a team developed a pair of goggles with a virtual reality (VR) display.

The device, called Method and Apparatus for MTBI Diagnosis Implementing Eye Movement and Pupil Movement Analysis in Objective Vergence Testing, recently received a U.S. patent. Following an injury, the patient will wear the goggles and move their eyes or head to respond to objects moving in the display. The goggles can then pinpoint if the wearer experienced vestibular damage following the head injury. Providers could also use the VR goggles to monitor a patient’s recovery.

“There was a great need for a less expensive, portable way to detect head injuries that could be done on the playing field, in the emergency room, and without super-specialized training, so that people suffering head injuries can get immediate care,” Dr. Hoffer said.

The portable device is designed for use at sporting events, in emergency rooms, and in the field with military personnel. By having the goggles at the ready, anyone can provide quick and noninvasive testing to diagnose concussions or mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI) early to help improve the patient’s recovery chances.