NORWALK, Conn. — A Norwalk company is combating traumatic brain injuries on the field and also potentially on the battlefield.
Q30 Sport Science is working on getting their FDA-approved device, called the Q-Collar, to prevent brain injuries in the hands of members of the armed forces.
The Q-Collar has already made an impact in athletics, and now lawmakers are pushing for more research to see if the technology can be utilized to help prevent head and brain injuries for soldiers.
Protecting servicemen and servicewomen is top priority and technology may soon provide an important extra layer of defense.
"Soldiers have a different exposure risk that’s to blast waves and it can cause a brain injury like hits to the head," said Gary Greene with Q30 Sports Science.
Right now, the Q-Collar is mainly used in youth, college and professional sports to prevent and limit concussions. It applies light pressure to the neck which slightly increases blood volume in the head to limit the brain from moving around upon impact.
The FDA-approved collar may soon be implemented as additional military protective gear.
"We believe the collar can help reduce the risk and severity of traumatic brain injury for soldiers exposed to blunt force trauma and blast waves," Greene said.
Staff with Q30 sat down with Sen. Richard Blumenthal about additional research and testing to bring a new era of safety to service men and women on the battlefield and in training.
"I'm pressing the Department of Defense to consider using this device on the battlefield and in training wherever it can save our military men and women from the concussive impacts," Blumenthal said.
Researchers and experts are continuing to run tests with the goal of implementing the Q-Collar for military personnel in the near future.
Lindsey Kane is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at Lkane@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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