US 11,490,809, filed under application 16/903,136 and issued on November 01, 2022, presents a system developed by Dr. Wesley W.O. Krueger for measuring head impacts based on ocular parameters, integrated into a face shield. This innovation advances his faceguard technology (e.g., US 10,602,927) by embedding eye-tracking capabilities in face shields to monitor eye movements, pupil responses, and other ocular metrics in real-time, detecting concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) with precision. Validated through NIH-supported research, this platform-agnostic solution expands beyond contact sports, leveraging Dr. Krueger’s neurotology expertise to enhance safety across diverse settings.
Potential Applications
Sports Safety: Detects concussions in non-faceguard contact sports (e.g., basketball, boxing) and face shield-required activities, preventing secondary injuries and permanent neurologic damage.
Military Combat Protection: Adapts face shield technology for combat gear to assess blast-induced TBIs in special operations or field personnel.
Industrial Safety: Monitors head impacts for workers in construction, manufacturing, or emergency response using face shields, reducing $500M+ incident costs.
Emergency Medical Assessment: Assists paramedics and ER staff in evaluating TBI severity post-accident, improving triage and treatment decisions.
Rehabilitation Monitoring: Tracks recovery from head injuries in rehab facilities, guiding return-to-activity with objective data.
Potential Users
Athletes: Millions in non-faceguard contact sports (e.g., 30 million U.S. basketball players, 10 million+ globally) and face shield users.
Military Personnel: Special ops, infantry, and pilots exposed to impact injuries (1.3M active-duty U.S. forces).
Industrial Workers: Construction, manufacturing, and emergency responders (e.g., 10M+ in safety-sensitive U.S. roles) wearing face shields.
Emergency Responders: Paramedics, ER doctors, and rehab therapists managing 5–60 million annual non-sport TBIs globally.
Coaches and Safety Officers: Sports teams, industrial supervisors, and military trainers ensuring user safety.
Potential Buyers or Licensees
Sports Equipment Manufacturers: Wilson and Adidas ($50M–$70M licensing) could embed this in face shields for basketball/baseball, targeting the $200M–$300M sports safety market.
Defense Contractors: Thales and Lockheed Martin ($50M–$70M licensing) may integrate for military face shields, leveraging the DoD’s $11.7B R&D budget (2025).
Big Tech: Microsoft (R&D $20B+) and Meta (R&D $10B+) could license for HoloLens or Quest safety features ($20M–$50M), aligning with the $635.82B wearable market (2034).
Medical Device Companies: Hill-Rom and Stryker ($30M–$50M licensing) could enhance TBI diagnostics and rehab tools.
Industrial Safety Providers: 3M and Honeywell ($40M–$60M licensing) could adopt for worker safety gear, driving recurring revenue.
Market Appeal and Valuation
This patent targets a $15B–$20B global market for sports safety, TBI management, and industrial protection, with a per-patent value of $25M–$80M (average $52.5M), reflecting its expanded utility beyond faceguards. Licensing fees could range from $40M–$70M per deal (e.g., per industry or league), with royalties (1–5%) adding $10M–$20M annually. Within Dr. Krueger’s 20-patent portfolio, valued at US$750M–$1.68B, this patent broadens the sports and commercial segments, with an upside to US$2.5B–$3B, enhanced by its synergy with faceguard and rehab applications.
Investment Rationale
US 11,490,809 offers a compelling appeal by disrupting traditional head impact assessment (e.g., manual checks) with a rapid, objective, and versatile face shield solution. Its ability to prevent injuries across sports, military, and industrial settings generates substantial downstream revenue, aligning with big tech’s health tech focus, DoD safety priorities, and commercial efficiency needs. Potential buyers or licensees can leverage its validated efficacy and scalability to lead in safety and performance innovation.