Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the result of a blunt blow, jolt or blast overpressure to the head that disrupts brain function.  The terms mild TBI (mTBI) and concussion are commonly used interchangeably, and have been linked with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  The severity of head injuries range from a brief change in mental status or consciousness to extended unconsciousness and amnesia.  In severe or multiple concussion cases, personality changes can occur with devastating results.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 3.17 million Americans currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living as a result of a TBI.  Currently there is no accepted clinical method to objectively detect mTBI.

Our Solutions

NKI’s comprehensive I-Portal® neuro-otologic test devices are in wide use as a diagnostic tool for early disease detection by audiologists, ENT’s, neuro-otologists, neuro-ophthalmologist, and neurologists all over the world.  The same multimodal tool is being used in research applications to detect mTBI and to monitor recovery from head trauma.

The I-Portal® tests are neuro-physiologic; measuring the eye's response to various motion, oculomotor, and optokinetic stimuli.  Early data shows I-Portal® tests can detect abnormalities resulting from head trauma even when structural imaging technologies show no damage.  The test battery also suggests the data is significantly more objective than current neuro-psychological tests that rely partially on patient self diagnosis.

NKI is collaborating with military and sports medicine researchers to study new methods to objectively diagnose and monitor blast and blunt force head trauma.Our battery of tests can help examiners use and compare baseline data to post trauma data to make better return to play and return to duty decisions.

Military mTBI Research

• I-Portal® NOTC currently in use at 28 Department of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals to detect TBI and mTBI, and to monitor recoveries.
• Part of multiple DOD research studies on mTBI (Read here for more information)

Sports Medicine Concussion Research

• With support from a major health system, we are in the midst of an important high school athlete study to refine and validate the I-Portal® test battery.  NKI is collecting base line data at the beginning of the sports season to compare post trauma for head injuries sustained during the season.
• Co-authored paper on head trauma that resulted from a bicycle accident.  The case study presented a unique opportunity to compare pre and post trauma data and monitor the healing process.  (Read Here)

Read: mTBI Statistics and Resources