New Football Helmet Concept Wins Head Health Challenge II

Under Armour, GE and NFL Head Health Challenge II Awards $500,000 to UW and VICIS, Inc.

SEATTLE--Today, University of Washington (UW) and its commercial partner, VICIS, Inc. were named a winner of Head Health Challenge II, a collaboration between the NFL, GE and Under Armour. The Head Health Challenge is a search for solutions that prevent, measure and detect brain injury. 

UW and VICIS are developing a new football helmet designed to mitigate the forces likely to cause concussion. This technology breakthrough is a result of collaboration between global thought-leaders in neurosurgery and mechanical engineering at University of Washington. Together with proven business leaders, they are committed to using science to protect athletes.

Results from the UW/VICIS technology show unprecedented reduction in linear and rotational acceleration, the forces likely to cause concussion.

“Innovation in football helmet technology is long overdue,” said Dave Marver, CEO of VICIS. “Today’s helmets were designed to protect against skull fracture but offer little protection against concussion. Our win validates this helmet’s promise as a significant advance in protective technology.”

The UW/VICIS initiative has received grant funding from University of Washington's Center for Commercialization and the Coulter Foundation. The company has also received an investment from the W-Fund, a Seattle-based venture capital fund, and Seattle-based Alliance of Angels. VICIS founders include Per Reinhall, PhD, Chairman of Mechanical Engineering at UW and Samuel Browd, MD, PhD, Pediatric Neurosurgeon and Medical Director of the Sports Concussion Program at Seattle Children's Hospital.
 
About NFL Head Health Challenge II

More than 500 proposals from 19 countries were submitted to Head Health Challenge II, a collaboration between the NFL, Under Armour and GE. The challenge will award up to $8.5 million for new innovations and materials that can protect the brain from traumatic injury. Seven winners were announced today.

For more information please see www.headhealthchallenge.com.
 
About VICIS

VICIS is developing an improved football helmet designed to mitigate forces likely to cause concussion. The VICIS team was initially formed by UW pediatric neurosurgeon Samuel Browd. It includes thought-leading engineers and neurosurgeons, public health experts, and proven business leaders committed to using science to protect athletes. Inquiries can be directed to info@vicis.co or 800-750-5784.

Contacts
VICIS, Inc./Ray Vincenzo, 206-290-4431 / ray@vicis.co


Source University of Washington through BUSINESS WIRE by press release ©