SWITCHBOX INC — Department of Defense STTR Phase II: DHA18B-001

Description

Neck pain isacommon and disabling health impairmentaffecting both militaryand civilian populations. Dueto alack of objective,reliable,and actionablemetrics, occupational interventionsand treatment plansaretypically based on atrial-and error process that results in suboptimal outcomesand inflated costs. To address this problem, our objective will beto (1) develop an evidence-based technology that leverages wearablemotion sensors to quantify dynamic neck motionsalong with patient reported outcomes,and (2) usethis technology to collect large databases of healthyand patient motions to develop cervical function, injury risk,and sincerity ofeffort metrics. Thesemetrics willenable users to (A) quantifykinematicabnormality, (B)monitorchangein function,and (C)enhance decision-makingrelated to warfighter health,readiness,and return-to-work. To completethis project,we haveassembled an experienced team ofexperts in spine biomechanics research,spinemedicine,wearablesensors, product development,entrepreneurship,and project management.We will build upon our significant progress in PhaseIand our decades of work developingsimilar solutions for thelumbar spine. The outcome of this PhaseIIeffort will beafully functional prototype(TRL7) that is ready for regulatory submission and commercialization in PhaseIII.