After a serious accident, it is fairly easy to detect physical injuries. They are visible and often extremely painful.
However, internal injuries–such as head or brain injuries–can be more of a challenge. The symptoms might not appear right away. This can lead to delayed diagnoses and even worse injuries in the long run.
Why is it tricky to identify brain injuries?
Brain injuries can have a wide variety of symptoms. In the past, this is what made it difficult for medical professionals to create a specific test that would indicate someone had a brain injury. And if there are no symptoms, then there is often no reason for medical professionals to recommend a series of scans and tests to find a brain injury.
However, a Pennsylvania man invented a device that could help improve the screening process and diagnosis of brain injuries.
A new device might make detection much easier
According to WESA News, Dr. Kevin Kelley is the Pennsylvanian neurologist who created BrainView. He states that this device could give individuals a significant advantage against brain injuries for several reasons, including:
- The device is portable, unlike other testing devices
- It does not require specific medical training to operate
- It simplifies the testing process
The BrainView device could help medical professionals or even individuals easily detect a brain injury right after an accident. Dr. Kelley hopes that smaller medical facilities will be able to use this device after the project is complete, and the device is on the market.
Overall, technology could help mitigate the risk of brain injuries
The Brain Trauma Foundation reports that more than 2.5 million people are diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries each year. Out of those:
- More than 50,000 of those injuries result in fatalities
- More than 80,000 of them cause permanent disabilities
Unfortunately, many of those people were likely unaware of the risks they faced. That awareness could increase once BrainView is available on the market.
The device could become a staple in ambulances, like defibrillators. Then, medical professionals can check for brain injuries right after a car accident, a slip and fall or even a sports injury. Testing for brain injuries could also become a normal part of preventative medical procedures.
Brain injuries are often a silent threat after an accident. But the advances in technology that lead to devices like BrainView could help minimize that threat in the future.
