CHARLES RIVER ANALYTICS, INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: DHP14-007

Description

Soldiers displaying symptoms of acute or chronic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) need accurate, timely, in-theater assessment of symptoms. Often this initial assessment and diagnosis must be conducted by first-level responders who attempt to assess vestibular symptoms and are often present directly following a concussive event; however, these symptoms are often missed, not adequately evaluated, or misdiagnosed due to a lack of familiarity with the subtleties of impaired vestibular function. To address this challenge, we propose to design and demonstrate a system for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Vestibular Indicators of Soldiers? Operational Readiness (ADVISOR). ADVISOR will integrate a combination of vestibular tests, including VEMP, SVV, VOR, DVAT, extraocular movement, and balance measures. These tests will be administered via the ADVISOR hardware, which will be designed to be suitable for use in the field, and to exploit best-of-breed, low-cost COTS components. The ADVISOR software will guide the operator to consistently administer the test and correctly and quickly interpret the results. In Phase I, we will demonstrate the feasibility of our approach, and develop a plan for clinical validation under Phase II.