Sensing Traumatic Brain Injuries

The Defense Department continues to put money toward trying to understand head injuries better and information technology is a big part of that. In its latest effort, the department awarded a $17 million to BAE Systems to place sensors in soldiers' helmets to record the effects of an n explosion, like a roadside bomb.

Defense first bought the HEADS sensors in 2008 and the contract is the second generation of the technology. From a UPI article, Joe Coltman, vice president of BAE Systems' Personnel Protection Systems business, said:

With the Generation II HEADS sensor, even if the injury isn't obvious, once the sensor collects data indicating a blast has exceeded a certain threshold, a LED light located on the sensor and will be activated and begin blinking, signifying to soldiers that they may have sustained a concussion warranting immediate attention.

The contract also is an example of how the government is relying more on senor technology.