MX2007003015A - System for monitoring a physiological parameter of players engaged in a sporting activity. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a system (10) for monitoring a physiological parameter of player engaged in a sporting activity. The system includes a plurality of reporting units (20), a controller (40), and a signaling device (60). The reporting unit has an arrangement of sensing devices (22) that measure the physiological parameter of an individual player and generate parameter data. The controller receives the parameter data transmitted from each reporting unit and then processes the parameter data to calculate a parameter result. When the parameter result exceeds a predetermined value, the controller communicates with a signaling device that provides an alert to sideline personnel to monitor the player(s) in question. They system also includes a remote storage device for holding historical data collected by the system which permits subsequent analysis. The system can monitor a number of player physiological parameters, including the acceleration of a player s body part that exper iences an impact and the temperature of each player.

Description

SYSTEM TO SUPERVISE THE PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETER OF PLAYERS INVOLVED IN A SPORTS ACTIVITY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Due to the physical nature of contact sports such as soccer, hockey, lacrosse, players receive several impacts during the game. The impact causes an acceleration of the player's body part including the head and brain. Little is known about the brain's response to head accelerations in linear and rotational directions and even less to the correspondence between specific impact forces and injuries, particularly with respect to injuries caused by repeated exposure to impact forces from an lower level than those that result in a catastrophic injury or fatality. Almost everything that is known derives from studies in animal studies in corpses under specific forces and direction (that is to say for example a direct collision with the head), from dummies of tests, of human volunteers in well defined situations of impact but limited or other mechanical models. The conventional application of known forces and / or force measurements applied to animals, corpses, test dummies and human volunteers limits our knowledge of a relationship between forces applied to the head of a living human and the resulting catastrophic brain injury.

These preliminary studies have a limited value since they are commonly related to research conducted for the automotive industry. The concern for injuries linked to sports, particularly to the head, is increasing every day.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the incidence of medically related trauma to the brain injuries (MTBI) approaches 300,000 annually in the United States. Approximately 1/3 of these injuries occur in American Football. MTBI is a major source of time losses for each player. The head injuries were of 13.3% in the injuries of American football in young people and 4.4% of the injuries in the soccer as much in boys as girls in a study of sports injuries made in the secondary and preparatory ones. Approximately 62,800 MTBI cases occur annually among college athletes, with football being responsible for 63% of the cases. The contusions in hockey affect 10% of athletes and make up 12% to 14% of all injuries.

For example, a common variant of bruises of 4-6 a year in a football team of 90 players (7%) and six per year for a hockey team with 28 players (21%) is not uncommon. In rugby, bruises can affect up to 40% of the players in each team each year. Contusions, particularly when repeated on several occasions, significantly threaten the long-term health of an athlete. The health costs associated with an MTBI in sports are estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The National Center for Prevention and Injury control considers traumatic brain injuries related to sports (both mild and severe) as an important public health problem.

Due to the high incidence of this type of injuries, the relative youth of the injured with a possible long-term disability and the damage of cumulative effects of repeated incidences.

Athletes who suffer impacts to the head during a practice or a game often can not determine the severity of the blow. Doctors and trainers use standard neurological exams as well as cognitive questioning to determine the severity of the impact and its effect on the athlete. Decisions to return to the playing field can be influenced by the parents or the coach himself who wants his star player to return to the field. Subsequent impacts after an initial contusion (MTBI) can be 4 to 6 times more severe, causing more damage to the brain. The important advances in the diagnosis and categorization and post-injury management of contusions led to the development of standardized tools such as the Standarized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) for its acronym in English that includes guidelines for an assessment in the field as well as the return to the field of game. Nevertheless, not to objective biomechanical measures directly related to the impact used for this purpose. Critical clinical decisions are often made in the field immediately after the impact, including whether the athlete can continue to play. The information about the event itself could provide additional objective information to increase the psychometric measures currently employed in situ by the physician.

Brain injury due to an impact occurs at the cellular and tissue level and complex and is not fully understood. Increased pressure in brain tissue, pressure waves and pressure gradients inside the skull have been linked to specific mechanisms of brain injury. The linear acceleration and rotation of the acceleration of the head are information conditions during the impact. Both direct load and inertia (for example whiplash) that result in both linear and rotational head acceleration. The acceleration of the head induces stress patterns in the brain tissue that can cause an injury. There is great controversy as to what biomechanical information is required to predict the probability and severity of an MTBI. Direct measurement of brain dynamics during an impact is extremely difficult in humans.

The acceleration of the head, on the other hand, can be measured more easily; its relationship with a severe brain injury has been postulated and proven for more than 50 years. Both the linear acceleration and rotation of the head play an important role in the production of diffuse lesions to the brain. The relative contributions of these accelerations to specific injury mechanisms have not yet been established. The numerous theoretical mechanisms resulting from a brain injury have been evaluated in models of cadavers and animals, sub-model models and computer models. Clinical studies combining the biomechanics of an impact to the head and clinical outcomes have been urgently requested. The validation of several hypotheses and models linking the parameters of cellular and tissue levels with MTBI lesions in sporting issues requires field information that directly correlates the specific kinematic entries with the post-traumatic impact on humans.

In prior art, conventional devices have developed test approaches that are not related to devices that can be used by humans, such as those used in dummies. When studying the impact on dummies, they are commonly subject to sledges with a known acceleration and an impact velocity. The head of the dumie hits a target and the accelerations experienced by the head are recorded. Impact studies using corpses are performed to determine the forces and pressures that cause the skull to fracture as well as catastrophic brain injuries.

There is a critical lack of information about the movement and impact forces that lead to MTBI injuries in sports. Previous research on impacts on football helmets in real game situations showed impact magnitudes as high as 530 G's for a duration of 60 msec and > 1000 G's for unknown durations without an MTBI injury. The accelerometers were firmly attached to the head via a suspension mechanism on the helmet and with sailboat tapes. A recent study found maximum accelerations in helmets of 120 G's and 150 G's of American Football and Hockey respectively.

The disparity in the maximum values between these groups of limited information demonstrates the need for a large-scale collection of information.

Previous art attempts are related to testing in a laboratory setting. However, the playing field is more appropriate to perform the tests to accumulate information concerning the impact to the head. A limitation of prior art is the practical application and widespread use of measurement technologies that are effective at cost and size for players and teams. This is why it would be a great advantage to place an entire team with a system for recording and monitoring impact activities. This would help to accumulate information of all the impacts of a certain sport.

Also, full-time monitoring of head acceleration would be very helpful in understanding a particular impact or sequence of impacts to a player's head, over time that may have caused an injury and to be able to provide better treatment doctor.

The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed above as well as other problems and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by systems prior to this type. A complex discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is set forth in the detailed description, which follows the reference illustrations accompanying it.

CROSS REFERENCE RELATED TO OTHER APPLICATIONS This application claims the priority of the application for provisional application of US patent No. 60 / 609,555 entered on September 13, 2004 and is a continuation in part of the US patent application No. 10 / 997,832 filed on November 24 of 2004, which is a continuation of the Application of US Patent No. 09 / 974,566 filed on October 10, 2001, now Patent No. 6,826,509, which claimed the priority of the Provisional application of US Patent No. 60 / 239,379 filed on November 11, 2001. October of the 200 all these incorporated to the present like reference and part of the same.

FEDERAL RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT PATROCINIO A portion of the invention described herein was performed under the sponsorship of 1R43HD4074301 of the National Institute of Health, National Institute of Health Government of the United States of America that has certain rights over this invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a multi-component system that actively monitors a physiological parameter of several players performing some sports activity. The system includes report units that provide the transmission of the physiological information of each player to a controller to perform parameter calculations and as a reminder of results.

Since many contact sports involve multiple multiplayer teams, the system can simultaneously measure and record information about the physiological parameters of all players on the team during the game including a game or practice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a multicomponent system that actively monitors at least one physiological parameter of players performing a sports activity. The system includes report units with telemetry element that provides the transmission of the physiological information of each of the players to a controller, for its calculation, reminder and / or storage. The reporting unit can be installed in the protection equipment of each player. Since most contact sports involve the use of several teams with players, the system measures simultaneously records and transmits information about the physiological parameter of all players on a team with a report to the reporting unit during the course of the game, including game or practice. The system is specially designed for sports that use protective equipment such as helmets where players are susceptible to head impacts and injuries; for example, American football, hockey and lacrosse. Since the system can be used with each member of the team, the system simultaneously measures, transmits and / or records information on physiological impacts of each player during the match or training.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the system actively measures and calculates the acceleration of a part of the body (eg, the head) of the players while performing some sports activity such as playing a contact sport. When the calculated acceleration of the body part exceeds a predetermined level a system controller transmits a signal to an apparatus to notify the line personnel that a player has experienced a high acceleration of some part of the body. To help with a future evaluation and monitoring the database stores the calculated acceleration of each part of the body of each player.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the system actively measures and calculates the surface temperature of each player during the game. When the calculated temperature exceeds a predetermined level, the system controller transmits a signal to an apparatus to notify line personnel that a player (players) has experienced a significant increase in body temperature.

According to another aspect of the invention, the system actively measures and calculates the acceleration of each part of the body of each player as well as the temperature of each player in the game.

Thus, as the system actively monitors multiple physiological parameters for each of the players who perform a physical activity.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken together with the following illustrations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES To understand the present invention, they will be described below as an example, with reference to the accompanying illustrations which are: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the system of the invention showing the invention configured for use in football helmets; Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the system of the invention; Fig. 3 is a diagram of the system report unit of the invention; Y, Fig. 4 is a perspective of a reporting unit of the system of the invention, showing a version in the helmet of the reporting unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figs. 1 and 2 show a multicomponent system 10 to actively monitor the physiological parameters of several players participating in some sports activity, where the infoOrmation of the players is transmitted to a controller for monitoring and reminder. In an inclusion, the system 10 is configured to measure and calculate the acceleration of a part of the body (i.e. the head) of the players while performing a physical activity such as in a game or contact sport. In another inclusion the system 10 is designed to measure and Calculate the body temperature of each player during the game. In another inclusion the system 10 is designed to measure and calculate the acceleration of the body of each player and the temperature of the player during the game. Since most contact sports employ multi-player teams, system 10 measures, records and transmits information on the physiological parameters of all team players during a game or game or practice. The system 10 is especially suitable for sports that use protective helmets where the players are susceptible to impacts on the head and injuries; for example, soccer, hockey and lacrosse. This is why the system 10 represents a platform for active monitoring of the physiological parameters of players performing sports activities. Within the scope of this system 10 can be configured to monitor a physiological parameter of a small number of players, ie not all players are performing physical activity.

The system 10 generally includes multiple report units 20, a controller unit 40, a signal device 60 a database 80 and software 90 that allows various components of the system 10 to communicate and interact. Although the system 10 is described below within the context of a helmet equipment, the system 10 can be used in connection with other sports activities that do not require a helmet such as soccer or rugby. Accordingly, the system 10 can be configured to be used with another type of protective clothing such as a head band, band or leg guard or a shoulder pad. Because a soccer team includes several players, in some cases being more than 100 players, each player has a registration unit 20 that communicates with the controller 40. This is why the recording units 20 continuously and collectively measure and transmit the physiological information to the controller to monitor the players.

Although a significant portion of the measurement and monitoring parameters occurs during a game, the system 10 continues to measure and monitor the relevant physiological parameters such as the temperature of the players when the players are in a reduced activity or in the banking. The reporting unit 20 automatically and continuously records and measures the physiological parameters of the players and transmits the pertinent information to the parameter to the controller 40.

When the system 10 is configured for use in a football team, the portable report unit 20 is adapted for use within each player's protective helmet or protective equipment such as shoulder pads.

With reference to figs. 1-4 and as explained in the Co-pending Patent Application No. 10 / 997,832 which is incorporated by reference, the report unit 20 includes a senator configuration defined by a plurality of sensors 22 that measures the physiological parameter of the player and the control unit 24 where the sensors 22 are connected to the control unit 24. As shown in fig. 3 a main cable 26 electrically connects each sensor 22 to the control unit 24. the control unit 24 may include a signal conditioner 24 to a filter 24 b a microcontroller 24 c (or micro processor) a telemetry element 24 d and an encoder 24 e, and a power source 24 f. although the encoder 24 e is shown as a separate part of the telemetry system 24d, the encoder 24 e may be integrated within the telemetry element 24 d. the sensors 22 are calibrated to measure the physiological condition of the player or parameter and then generate the input of information relating to each parameter. The control unit 24 processes the information input including the necessary filtering and conditioning and then converts the information to signals. The encoder 24 e of the control unit 24 then encodes the signals with a unique identifier and the telemetry element 24 d transmits (as represented by the rays in FIG. 1) the encoded signals to a remote controller 40. which recognizes the coded signals for further processing and calculation. The telemetry element 24 d may be a transceiver or a separate receiver and transmitter. The 24 f power supply can be rechargeable with rechargeable batteries or disposable batteries. In another inclusion of the system 10, the information of the parameters transmitted to the reporters 20 to the controller 40 can be encoded to increase the security of the information. In this configuration, the system 10 may include a number for performing encryption and decryption and a key for parameterizing the number.

The type of sensors 22 within a reporting unit 20 depends on the physiological information of the player to be measured, transmitted and monitored. For example, when the reporting unit 20 is configured to measure the acceleration of a part of the body, the sensors 22 are single-axis accelerometers, multi-accelerometers or a combination of both. As another example, to measure a player's temperature, each report unit 20 includes at least one sensor 22 such as a thermistor that includes components of a circuit with resistors that have high negative temperature coefficients so that the resistance decreases when the temperature increases.

Alternatively, the temperature sensor 22 is a thermal strip sensor or sensor type with integrated circuit of the band type. To measure both the acceleration and temperature of a part of the player's body, the sensors 22 can be a combination of accelerometers and enablers connected to the control unit 24. When the system 10 is configured for use in a football team for measuring and monitoring the acceleration of the head and the body temperature of the player, the sensors 22 are accelerometers and enablers configured in a unit inside the helmet 28 (see Fig. 4) for each player. To measure other physiological parameters such as heart rate and blood pressure of the player, the sensors 22 are a type of electromechanical micro system (MEMS) sensors, which are auscultatory and / or oscilo metric measuring techniques.

As shown in fig. 4 the unit inside the helmet 28 includes a flexible band 30 that includes the sensors 22 and the control unit 24. The flexible band 30 is received inside the padded inner shell of the helmet 32 where the sensors 22 are positioned in the skull of the player In this way, the unit inside the helmet 28 is removed and can be received inside the helmet 32 to allow maintenance testing including a recharge of the battery power source. In an inclusion where the system 10 measures the acceleration of the player's head, the band 30 has dimensions such that the sensitive axis of each accelerometer sensor 22 is orthogonal to the external surface of the player's head. In another embodiment, the sensors of the accelerometer 22 are not positioned orthogonally to the surface of the head. Depending on other system design parameters 10, the accelerometer sensors 22 can be positioned either orthogonally or non-orthogonally to one another. While fig. 3 shows three sensors 22 within the control unit 20, the precise number of sensors 22 varies with the design of the system 10. In the inclusion where the system 10 measures the temperature of the player, the temperature sensor 22 can be placed in the part of the forehead in the helmet padding 32 and in other locations of protective equipment such as shoulder pads, knee pads, etc.

In operation, the sensors of the reporting units 22 measure the physiological parameters and generate signals in response to a measured parameter value. The sensors 22 can be configured to continuously generate signals in response to the value of the parameter or generate signals only when the value of the parameter reaches or exceeds a threshold level. For example, sensors 22 may be single-axis accelerometers that measure head acceleration but do not generate signals when the acceleration of the head exceeds 10 g's. The control unit 24 processes the information signals and transmits them to the on-line controller 30 for the calculation and monitoring of the physiological condition of the player. As part of the processing process the control unit 24 conditions and filters the signals when necessary and then encodes the signals with a unique identifier for transmission to the controller 40. To support the simultaneous transmissions of the multiple reporters 20 to the correct controller, the signals sent from each control unit 24 can be divided with the Time Division Access (TDMA) by its acronym in English, Multiple Access Code Division (CDMA) or Multiple Access Division Frequency Division (FDMA). The coding of signals with a unique identifier allows the multiplex controller 40 to decode information from several reports 20 that transmit information.

In the same way, the system 10 measures simultaneously and transmits the coded information of several reporters 20 and then the controller 40 catalogs the coded information signal for a higher calculation or the resulting calculation based on the relationship between the reporter 20 and the player. Regardless of when the cataloging process occurs, the controller 40 organizes the calculated parameter of each player for further analysis and / or monitoring. In an inclusion a system operator 10 defines the relationship or association between the reporter 20 and the player when the player is awarded a helmet with a reporter 20. With the help of a signaling device 60, the line personnel using the system 10 can monitor the physiological condition of certain players based on the catalog of calculated parameter results.

The active monitoring system 10 including the reporting unit 20 can be configured to measure the severity of the impact on the player's body part based on direct impact measurements. This indirect measurement is achieved by monitoring the deformation experienced by the player's protective equipment including the helmet, the shoulder pads and the padded inner cover associated with each of these. An impact to a part of the body can be quantified by the kinetics of the impact of the body part, which includes a change in position, change in speed and / or change in acceleration on the part in a selected time interval. In an inclusion, the small magnetic particles of at least one Hall-effect sensor are embedded within protective equipment and / or the padding connected to the equipment. The output of the sensor depends on the distance between the particles and the sensor, where the measurements of the sensor output are applied to a rheological model to calculate the force of the impact experienced by the equipment and / or the padding element. For example, a spring model with padding of the protective padding element and the placement of an experimental foam and velocity values can be used in the model to estimate or calculate the acceleration of the impact and the magnitude of the applied force of impact. A highly sensitive sensor configuration can be used to calibrate the protection or padding elements to determine the location of the magnetic particles therein relative to the Hall effect sensor (s). In another inclusion, the impact on the body part is measured and calculated based on the change in shape and dimensions of the protective equipment and / or padding element connected thereto. The sensitivity elements can be used where the resistance in the measuring device changes as a function or linear, torsion or simply by displacement. Alternatively, capacitive sensors can be used where the capacitance changes from function to linear, torsional, or displacement. The tape that changes shape is an example of the sensor elements. In another inclusion of the system 10 the reporting unit 20 includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) for its acronym in English transducer pressure that detects changes in pressure within a bladder with fluids or air chamber, such as those used to Make the padded cover of the protective equipment such as helmets, and shoulder pads. When the protective equipment, to which the padding configuration has been added is connected and receives an impact force, the padding compresses the fluid causing a change in the pressure that is measured by the MEMS pressure transducer. Since environmental conditions including temperature and humidity affect the fluid bladders and air chambers, the reporting unit 20 includes a temperature compensation element to improve the accuracy of the resulting measurements. In another inclusion of the system 10 the report unit 20 measures the characteristic sound generated by a impact on a part of the body and / or protective equipment that covers the body part. The system 10 employs a recognition pattern to provide a continuous evaluation of sounds resulting from impacts, in order to characterize the severity of the impact on a scale. The software 100 associated with the recognition pattern, distinguishes the sounds related to impacts of the environmental sounds commonly found in the playing field, or selectively filters the ambient sounds to avoid a huge in the results of the analysis. The system 10 then categorizes the severity of the impact based on the sound characteristics related to the impact. A benefit of these approaches is that the system 10 can quantify the adjustment of the protective equipment or the internal padding element with respect to each player and provide an alert if the equipment is not properly adjusted or placed.

Generally, the controller 40 receives the information measured and transmitted by the reporting units 20 and processes the information useful for the analysis. The line controller 40 has a portable microprocessor 42 (laptop or laptop) including a screen, a telemetry element 44 operable and connected to the microprocessor 42. The controller 40 is a mobile device that can be transported in its case 46. In reference to fig. 2, the telemetry element 44 includes an antenna 48 a transmitter 50 a receiver 52 (or combined transceiver) and an encoder 54. Consistent with the foregoing, the telemetry element 44 decodes and encodes signals sent from each reporter 20 and organizes the results for each player having a reporter 20. The controller 40 has a local memory device for storing information received from the unit. report 20 and later, the results calculated. Preferably, the memory device of the controller 40 is capable of storing compiled information for a whole season, so if necessary the line personnel or the medical personnel can obtain the clinical history of each player whenever they wish. In the preferred inclusions, the controller 40 may be equipped with the software 100 which includes a management equipment and information (list of players, positions, identification of active players, etc.) and daily exposure information (game date vs. Practice). , conditions, etc.) The controller 40 receives the encoded signal from the reporting unit 20 for the measured physiological parameter ("measured parameter") and processes the information within the signal to calculate the result of a parameter ("parameter result"). "). When the The parameter result reaches or exceeds a predetermined level of parameter (in the following "event alert"), the controller 40 communicates with the signal device 60 alerting the line personnel who load the device 60. For each alert event the controller 40 shows the identity of the injured or affected player, for example, his name or jersey number, the measured parameter and the event alert time. However, the player's identity can be protected by a unique identifier that can be encrypted or encrypted. When the parameter results fall below the level and an alert event does not occur, the controller 40 continues to receive information from the reporters 20 and runs the necessary calculations. In addition, when an alert event of a reporter 20 arises, the controller 40 continues to receive and process data from other reporters 20. The time stamp allows the line staff and physician to correlate the calculated parameter to the actual tape of the sporting event that led to the event alert. Once an event alert has occurred, the controller sends a signal 40 to the signal device 60 which alerts the line personnel to observe and investigate the condition of the player in question. The player in question is quickly identified by the controller 40 due to the unique identifier provided in the reporting units 20 and the subsequent recognition of the identifier made by the controller 40. In this way, the line personnel can efficiently evaluate the player in question. question of the other players that make up the team.

Another aspect of the operation of the system 10, the telemetry element 44 of the controller 40 may transmit a confirmation signal to each reporting unit 20 confirming that the signals sent by the reporting unit 40 were successfully received and that the information is complete for calculation purposes. This allows the reporting units 20 to conserve their energy since they do not have to repeatedly send the information to the controller 40. In the event that the signals of a reporting unit are not received successfully or that other signals are incomplete or crossed, the The telemetry element transmits and forwards the signal to the controller 40 in the situation where the confirmation signal is not received within a fixed period of time from the signal from the transmitter to the reporter 20. Since numerous reporters 20 transmit signals at the same time during In the course of a game, the controller 40 is constantly assessing the quality of the transmitted signal and sending the relevant confirmation and forwarding the signals to several reporters 20.

In inclusion where system 10 measures the acceleration of a part of a player's body, such as acceleration of the head, when an event alert occurs, the controller 40 calculates the point of impact on the player's body, the cumulative impacts sustained by the player during the sport session and then makes a graph of the magnitude and duration of recent hits to the player or some part of his body. As part of this calculation, the controller 40 employs an algorithm to calculate magnitude of the impact measured by the sensors 22, where the algorithm is checked with the disclosure of the US. Patent pending application No. 10 / 997,832. As an example, when the system 10 measures and monitors the head acceleration of a player, the controller 40 sends a signal to the signaling apparatus 60 when the magnitude of the impact exceeds a predetermined threshold level (ie 50g's) and is measured and measured. calculate When this event alert occurs, the controller 40 calculates the point of impact on the player's head, the cumulative impacts sustained by the player during the current sports session, and then graphs the magnitude and duration of the recent impacts of the event. head for review by the line staff including the team of coaches and doctors.

In an inclusion where the system 10 monitors the temperature of each player, the controller 40 receives information from the reporting units 20 and then calculates the surface temperature of each player, the rate of temperature increase and / or decrease against a time or selected interval. In addition to the temperature sensor 22 in the reporting unit 20, the controller 40 may include an additional temperature / humidity sensor to measure ambient conditions and employ the resulting information for correction purposes. When the system 10 is configured to monitor the temperature of a player with a helmet, the reporting unit 20 can be placed inside the helmet 32 or within other protective equipment used by each player as shoulder pads. The controller receives the temperature information of each reporter 20 and then applies an algorithm to calculate the temperature of the player, the rate of increase and / or decrease of temperature and other parameters based on temperature that help in the evaluation of the thermal management of each player. As explained above, the signal device 60 communicates with the controller 40 and alerts the line personnel when an event is suspected to have occurred. The signal device 60 can be a radio 62, a personal digital assistant (DPA) for its acronym in English 64 or a portable electronic device such as a telephone that is capable of receiving information and displaying results transmitted by the controller 40. Typically the apparatus 60 is used or maintained by line personnel including coaches and medical equipment. Depending on the parameters of the system 10, the signal device 60 could vibrate or employ an audio alarm when the suspected event is measured and recorded and inform the user of the apparatus 60 that has oc- curred an alert event. Concerning the nature of the alert event, the signal device 60 can show: the identity of the affected player (res); the nature of the suspected event, including a high head acceleration due to an impact or change in the physiological status of the player such as a high temperature, and the time of the incident.

In an inclusion, DPA 64 is programmed with software 100 that ensures that best practices are followed in the treatment and documentation of medium brain injuries (MTBI). In another embodiment of the present invention, the PDA 64 and the software 100 includes several administrative programs that allow the PDA 64 to store all the equipment information, including medical records and tests. The software 100 also provides the PDA 64 with an active response protocol to guide line personnel with proper evaluation procedures and record results. For example, when an alert event occurs and the player in question is taken off the field, the PDA 64 can display the individual's head injury history, previous evaluation results, and other pertinent medical information. With the help of the software 100, the PDA 64 alerts the medical staff to perform the appropriate exams, record the answers, compare the results with the established bases and make the decision of whether or not to continue playing. Software 100 has roster programs that contain all the basic information about each player: contact information, what sports they play (including positions and jersey number) emergency information, relevant sizes, team issues and availability to play. The information can be stored and reviewed in various ways such as per person, per team per subject and per size. The software 100 also includes an administrative program that allows coaches to document incidents as they occur in a match or training. Adequate information about the equipment, conditions of the players and input to the beginning of each session. Subsequently, when the injuries occur, the software 100 provides a sheet to record an injury and information about each player.

In another inclusion of the inventive system 10, the controller 40 is omitted and the reporting units 20 interact and communicate directly with the signal device 60. In a version of this inclusion, the reporting units 20 measure the physiological parameters as explained above and perform the calculations within the control unit 24. All the calculated results are transmitted to each reporting unit 20 to the senile apparatus 60, for example the PDA 64 for its monitoring and as a reminder. The apparatus 60 separates and multiplies the results when it sees an alert event. When the device 60 finds an event alert the device 60 alerts the line personnel according to the above explained. Alternatively, each reporting unit performs the necessary calculations to arrive at the result of the parameter and then transmits only the results that lead to an event alert. From this, the apparatus 60 receives signals from a reduced number of reporters 20 and alerts line personnel in the same way. In another version of this inclusion, the reporting units 20 measure the physiological parameters and transmit the information to the apparatus 60 for example the PDA 64 where the apparatus 60 performs the related calculations to arrive at the result of the parameter. When the result of the parameter reaches an alert event, the device alerts the line personnel to evaluate the player consistent with the information explained above. To aid in the analysis of a parameter result and the subsequent monitoring of the player, the apparatus 60 can be programmed with a software 100 that allows it to be programmed with administrative management software that allows to store the information of the players, including medical histories and base tests. The apparatus 60 can also be programmed with an active response protocol to guide the line personnel through the proper examination procedures and record the results.

The results and information stored in the apparatus 60 can be uploaded to a database 80 where authorized users can access the same equipment for its management and to evaluate the functions of each player.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in an inclusion of the present invention the system 10 includes a server 80 preferably a database server 80. The base of central data 80 stores information from all remote sites including information stored in controller 40 and signal device 60. For example, database 80 can serve as a computer administrator database for the sports department of a university. In other words, an interactive area to store all the information of the athletes that should be shared among various departments or sports. The database 80 has Internet to provide remote access to authorized users including coaches, team managers and administrators that allows users to be at the forefront of changes in the status of each player. Database 80 also provides a variety of administrative and management tools for the team and for team personnel.

To assist in the evaluation and monitoring of the players, the system 10 can be configured to provide indications of the impact force. Since the system 10 calculates the magnitude, direction, time and history of the impact causing the acceleration of the body part, the system 10 can quantify the severity of the impact on recognized scales including the head injury criteria (HIC) and the scale of the severity index (SI). Combining the information and / or results in correlative measures can show certain indexes that are more sensitive to an alert event. For example, the system 10 can use a combination of measured parameters, the result of a parameter and / or the event alert to create a risk management index (RAI) for each player. The RAI can be used for equipment management purposes and future monitoring performed by the system 10 including adjusting the sensitivity and operating parameters of various system 10 components., the system 10 can be configured to provide diagnostic functions from the active monitoring of the players, physiological parameters, including acceleration of body parts and body temperature calculations. Essentially the system 10 can use the calculated results to provide personal line-of-sight diagnostic assistance via the controller 40 or the apparatus 60. As part of the diagnostic assessment, the system 10 addresses several factors including the medical history and injuries of each player, the Alert event and environmental issues. In another embodiment of the present invention, the system 10 is configured to adjust its monitoring, sensitivity and / or calculations based on the player's recent history of injury or medical history. Thus, the operating parameters and system standards 10 including the report units 20, the controller 40 and the signal device 60 can be adjusted for a future monitoring of the players taking into account their history and recent information. For example, the controller 40 can communicate wirelessly with the reporting unit 20 to adjust the sensitivity of the sensors 22 for the individual player. In this way, there is a feedback loop between the various components that can increase or decrease the sensitivity of the active monitoring performed by this system.

Although this invention is susceptible to inclusions in many different forms, the preferred inclusions of the invention are disclosed in the illustrations and herein described with the understanding that the present disclosure should be considered as an example of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the illustrated inclusions.

Although specific inclusions have been illustrated, numerous modifications come to mind without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of protection is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Claims (17)

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A system to monitor the physiological parameters of players performing some sports activity the system includes: A plurality of reporting units where each reporting unit has a plurality of sensing apparatuses to measure the physiological parameters of an individual player and generate parameter information; A controller that receives said transmitted parameters from each reporting unit, wherein the controller processes said parameter information to calculate the result of a parameter; and, A signaling device that provides an alert when said parameter or result exceeds said predetermined value.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is remote from the reporting units and where the reporting units continuously monitor the physiological parameter and wirelessly transmit the parameter information to the controller.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the parameter information transmitted by each reporting unit has a unique identifier in which the controller recognizes the identifier in order to multiply said parameter result for all players that have a reporting unit.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the parameter information transmitted by each reporting unit is coded where the controller decodes the parameter information to multiply said parameter result for all players that have a reporting unit.

5. The system of claim 1 having a remote storage device to store the historical information collected by the system.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the physiological parameter to be monitored by the system is the direction and magnitude of the acceleration of some part of the player's body that experiences as an impact.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the body part is the head and wherein a plurality of sensor devices such as accelerometers are configured around the head of the player.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the accelerometer measures the linear acceleration and rotation of the player's head.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the physiological parameter to be monitored by the system is the temperature of each player.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein a plurality of sensing apparatuses are thermal resistances.

11. The system to actively monitor a physiological parameter of the players, the system includes: A plurality of reporting units, each reporting unit has a configuration of sensors that measure the physiological parameter of an individual player, each monitoring unit has a control unit connected to the sensors for the transmission of parameter data measured by the sensors; and An electronic device that receives said transmitted parameters from each reporting unit where the apparatus calculates a result of the parameter information and provides an alert when said result exceeds a certain value.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the parameter information transmitted by each reporting unit contains a unique identifier that the electronic apparatus recognizes to multiply shower parameter information for the calculation of this result.

13. The system of claim 11 including a remote storage device for storing the historical information collected by the system where access to the remote unit is provided over the Internet.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the physiological parameter to be monitored by the system is the acceleration of some part of the player's body that experiences an impact.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the body part is the head and wherein the sensor configuration includes accelerometers near the player's head.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the physiological parameter to be monitored by the system is the temperature of each player that has a reporting unit.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the sensor configuration includes at least one thermal resistance.