US 11,389,059, filed under application 16/805,253 and issued on July 14, 2022, presents an advanced system developed by Dr. Wesley W.O. Krueger for measuring head impacts based on ocular performance, integrated into a faceguard. Building on his earlier patent (US 10,602,927), this innovation refines eye-tracking technology within sports faceguards to monitor eye movements, pupil responses, and other ocular metrics in real-time, enhancing concussion detection accuracy. Validated through NIH-supported research, this platform-agnostic technology leverages Dr. Krueger’s neurotology expertise to provide precise, immediate data, preventing secondary injuries and supporting player safety across contact sports.
Potential Applications
Contact Sports Safety: Detects concussions in real-time for players in faceguard-required sports (e.g., football, hockey), reducing secondary injury risks and permanent neurologic damage.
Military Combat Protection: Adapts faceguard technology for combat helmets to assess blast-induced traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in special operations or field missions.
Industrial Safety: Monitors head impacts for workers in high-risk settings (e.g., construction, manufacturing), minimizing injury-related downtime and costs.
Emergency Medical Assessment: Assists paramedics and ER staff in evaluating TBI severity post-accident, improving triage and treatment decisions.
Rehabilitation Tracking: Supports rehab facilities in monitoring TBI recovery, guiding return-to-activity protocols with objective data.
Potential Users
Athletes: 3.3 million U.S. and 6 million+ global players in faceguard-required contact sports (e.g., NFL, NHL), plus millions in other contact sports.
Military Personnel: Special ops, infantry, and pilots exposed to impact injuries (1.3M active-duty U.S. forces).
Industrial Workers: Construction and manufacturing employees (e.g., 10M+ in safety-sensitive U.S. roles) at risk of head trauma.
Emergency Responders: Paramedics, ER doctors, and rehab therapists managing 5–60 million annual non-sport TBIs globally.
Coaches and Medical Staff: Sports teams and trainers across 10+ global leagues ensuring player safety.
Potential Buyers or Licensees
Sports Equipment Manufacturers: Riddell and Bauer ($60M–$80M licensing) could embed this in helmets/faceguards, targeting the $200M–$300M sports safety market.
Defense Contractors: Raytheon and BAE Systems ($50M–$70M licensing) may integrate for military helmets, leveraging the DoD’s $11.7B R&D budget (2025).
Big Tech: Apple (R&D $26B) and Meta (R&D $10B+) could license for Vision Pro or Quest safety features ($20M–$50M), aligning with the $635.82B wearable market (2034).
Medical Device Companies: Philips and GE Healthcare ($30M–$50M licensing) could enhance TBI diagnostics and rehab tools.
Sports Leagues/Organizations: NFL, NHL, and FIFA ($50M–$70M licensing) could mandate for comprehensive player safety, driving recurring revenue.
Market Appeal and Valuation
This patent targets a $15B–$20B global market for sports safety and TBI management, with a per-patent value of $25M–$80M (average $52.5M), reflecting its advanced refinement over US 10,602,927. Licensing fees could range from $50M–$80M per deal (e.g., per league or contractor), with royalties (1–5%) adding $10M–$20M annually. Within Dr. Krueger’s 20-patent portfolio, valued at US$750M–$1.68B, this patent strengthens the sports segment, with an upside to US$2.5B–$3B, enhanced by its synergy with sideline and rehab applications.
Investment Rationale
US 11,389,059 offers a compelling appeal by advancing traditional concussion detection (e.g., 15-minute SCAT5 tests) with a rapid, precise, and integrated faceguard solution. Its ability to prevent secondary injuries generates substantial downstream revenue, aligning with big tech’s health tech focus, DoD safety needs, and sports industry demands. Potential buyers or licensees can leverage its validated efficacy and scalability to lead in athlete and worker safety innovation.