A concussion-detecting mouth guard that makes it easier to identify and manage concussions in rugby games has won the New Zealand section of the 16th James Dyson Award.
Massey University industrial design graduate, Spencer Buchanan designed the prototype mouth guard, called Nerve, with motion sensors worn by rugby players to identify concussion risks after the player has taken a rough knock.
The mouth guard design utilises inertial motion sensors that identify forces transmitted to the head, but are missed by the human eye.
If an athlete wearing the mouth guard takes an impact over a certain threshold, the sensors communicate wirelessly to the team doctor’s ipad or tablet, and calculates the risk based on an algorithm that measures the impact and where it was located and the player’s previous concussion history to determine whether the player should return to play.
Head judge Mike Jensen says the design addresses a topical issue for New Zealand sport and culture. “What is exciting about Spencer’s design is that it is not one product; he’s developed an entire system encompassing sensors in a fully sealed, non-corrosive mouth guard, a charger unit and an app.
“These components also reveal his sensitivity to good design, while offering peace of mind to athletes involved in any contact sport, their medical support and their families.”
Five New Zealand entries, including Spencer’s product, and four runner up products, will progress to the international James Dyson Award competition, where all have a chance to win the grand winner’s prize of $60,000 to put towards commercialising the idea, plus another $10,000 for the designer’s university.
The international winner will be selected by inventor of the bagless vacuum, James Dyson and announced on October 26 this year.
All entries can be viewed on www.jamesdysonaward.org
Mouth Guard Design Wins the NZ James Dyson Award
