Smartphone app could screen for concussion on the sideline

News

University of Washington researchers have created an app that uses a smartphone camera and machine learning to identify concussion almost instantly.

concussion

PupilScreen measures the changes in the eye’s response to light, similar to a penlight exam. But where a penlight exam checks for major brain injuries, PupilScreen can identify the more subtle changes associated with concussion, changes that are imperceptible to the human eye. The hope is that the technology can be used to more accurately determine concussions, particularly in sport, where around half of all cases are believed to go undiagnosed.

https://www.theengineer.co.uk/solving-one-of-sports-biggest-headaches/

“Having an objective measure that a coach or parent or anyone on the sidelines of a game could use to screen for concussion would truly be a game-changer,” said Shwetak Patel, Professor of Computer Science & Engineering and Electrical Engineering at the UW.

“Right now the best screening protocols we have are still subjective, and a player who really wants to get back on the field can find ways to game the system.”

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