Rochester, NY (PRWEB) July 22, 2014 - BlackBox Biometrics, Inc. has launched a new model of the Blast Gauge™ System with advancements including a new high-g accelerometer and longer battery life. The new gauges represent a functional revision of the already robust Blast Gauge System platform, which provides the capability to capture complex data on blast events by recording a Service member's exposure to blast overpressure and resulting accelerations. The extreme changes in overpressure that accompany a blast event can cause serious injury to the head, commonly known as traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Understanding the blast event and an individual’s exposure is critical to the triage and treatment of their injury. The new high-g accelerometer helps to form a better picture of a Service member’s exposure by capturing the accelerations they experience during a blast event. Blast accelerations are larger than most commercial accelerometers can measure, so the Blast Gauge was equipped with a new sensor that can measure up to 200 g, approximately the force of a foot hitting a soccer ball. This detailed information forms a more complete picture of blast exposure and impact and helps medical personnel draw better conclusions about the severity of injury to the brain.
The new version of the Blast Gauge has also been further optimized for extended battery life. This means that gauges can be resupplied on average 25% less often, reducing waste and easing the logistical burden for the military and law enforcement agencies. In addition to longer battery life, new modifications allow the gauges to be more resistant to interference from nearby electronic devices, making it ideal for use in environments saturated with high-powered communications equipment. All of these updates were made without sacrificing size and weight; each gauge takes up less than one cubic inch of space and weighs less than one ounce.
TBI from an explosive blast remains a significant problem for military personnel. Mild to moderate TBI may be difficult to detect immediately post event; cognitive or motor deficits may manifest weeks or months later. The wide variability in explosions and physical configurations during a blast, coupled with variability in human response to each blast, makes understanding blast TBI a significant challenge. Understanding this complex problem requires logging of exposure paired with long-term tracking of Soldier health to correlate blast exposure with injury.
The Blast Gauge System is critical to enabling better prediction of injury, as well as enabling advanced research into the mechanisms of blast-related brain injuries and safe exposure levels. With the push of a button, the gauge emits a discreet visual cue, alerting unit medics and leadership when further evaluation is required. A micro-USB connection allows for detailed data to be downloaded and analyzed by medical personnel, guiding triage and treatment for damage that can result from these concussive forces.
About BlackBox Biometrics, Inc.
BlackBox Biometrics specializes in developing innovative technology that measures the unseen impact of concussive injuries, aiding in triage and treatment. The Blast Gauge System is a revolutionary advancement in explosive blast detection, enabling recognition of exposure and potential for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the military and law enforcement. The system captures complex data associated with concussive events, providing medical personnel with digital information to better understand the event, ultimately leading to faster and more accurate treatment.
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