A helmet has been developed by the Toledo National Hospital for Paraplegics to protect spinal cord injuries from scooter or bicycle accidents. This invention is based upon a cervical airbag system, which, when integrated into a scooter helmet or bicycle, protects the neck from injury in the event that an accident occurs. It inflates right before the impact or injurious movement.
This project was done in collaboration with EVIX, a startup. Its goal is to reduce or prevent spinal or cervical injury in accidents. These injuries are the most common. An electronic device with inertial sensors and an accident detection algorithm detects when an accident has occurred. The airbag is then inflated before any impact or sudden movement can cause injury.
It is sufficient to fasten the helmet, which is located in the area where the airbag activates, to connect the system. The helmet also includes Internet functionality such as automatic distress messages and location information to mobiles in case of an accident, warnings about black spots on roads, and alternative routes for avoiding them.
Dr. Angel Gil is an expert in biomechanics as well as technical aids and heads the Rehabilitation Service of the National Hospital for Paraplegics. “The hospital therefore opens itself up to cutting-edge technology firms in neurorehabilitation and prevention technologies as a partner that can contribute added value either through joint clinical trials using the most recent technology products or by conducting research and evaluations to improve their devices.”