X2 Bio's Concussion Platform Gives Clinicians The Information They Need On Super Bowl Sunday

By Dr. Robert Glatter, Forbes ContributorFebruary 2, 2015

In 2007, when Rich Able's son, Kyle, suffered a severe concussion in a high school football game, the 14-year medical device industry veteran decided to change the course of his life's work.

After witnessing his son suffer a traumatic brain injury and undergo tests in the emergency department, he felt that there was a missing piece--and was compelled to pursue a more effective way to track and monitor head trauma that can result in concussions. Able knew that he had the resources, tools, and know-how to get the job done.

Now, a life-altering experience with his son has become a motivational force for him to find a better way to help everyone from athletes to soldiers to citizens at work throughout the world.

The end result is that X2Bio, a Seattle-based company which Able founded in 2009, is now extending its reach with its unique ICE concussion monitoring software by not only helping to monitor athletes, but also military personnel who are at high risk for traumatic brain injury and resulting concussions.

X2 Bios's unique ICE concussion software, incorporating balance testing as well as the validated SCAT-3 assessment, can be used to evaluate neurologic findings that may be suspicious for a concussion.

X2 Bio's Neurocognitive Software Assessment Tool, contained on the Microsoft MSFT +1.5% Surface Tablet, will be utilized by both the Seahawks and Patriots team clinicians to assess a player's cognitive function and balance immediately upon suspicion of having a concussion.

So, as the Seahawks and Patriots get ready to go head to head on Superbowl Sunday, X2 Biosystems will be watching over the brain safety and welfare of each man on the field, in the same way that they will begin watching over soldiers who train for battle at training bases across the U.S.

The Seattle company, which has already raised 15 million dollars, was also awarded three Department of Defense (DOD) contracts during this busy SuperBowl week. The U.S. Army Medical Research Command and the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) have partnered with X2Bio to investigate field deployable platforms to watch over soldiers during intense training exercises on Army bases across our country.

In fact, soldiers will now be wearing X2 Bio's "X-Patch" during Airborne and Infantry Training Exercises. This will give the Army researchers key data on how intense head impacts can occur. As the Army Surgeon General, LTG Patricia Horoho has presented in briefings, 80% of head injuries in the military occur on U.S. Army bases during training exercises. X2's platform will give clinicians the information they need to watch over soldiers as they train, providing added protection in the event of a head injury. Most importantly, by acquiring data after a head injury, new data can be easily be retrieved from a cloud, and compared to previous or baseline data via a mobile device such as an ipad. This can improve real-time monitoring and alert clinicians as to subtle changes in neurologic function that may indicate the need for further neurologic evaluation and potentially imaging studies.

"I'm most excited about the research being conducted with our technology at major universities like the University of Washington, Stanford, Princeton, Virginia Tech, and University of Virginia and now with the DOD," said Able. "This data will help clinicians and parents make well informed decisions about safety in sports."

"I'm also happy that ATC's (Certified Athletic Trainers) are now being mandated and utilized as the front line for safety when children are playing contact sports," explained Able. "Every school in our country should have an ATC watching over kids at play."

"The combination of technology and well informed clinicians is key to making contact sports safer for all children," added Able.

In addition to helping medical personnel more effectively monitor impacts, promote adherence to standards of care, and coordinate return to play, X2's integrated concussion management platform is making an important contribution to the understanding of both acute and long term brain health outcomes.

The system's mobile touch-screen user interface creates a durable medical record and adds a level of objective precision in assessing concussive events and other traumatic brain injuries. Ice concussion software is highly specialized technology which offers simplicity, portability, and is ideal for the soldier who is dealing with daily missions that may include extreme conditions and temperatures.

X2 Biosystems' CEO John Ralston was encouraged by the agreement with the Army, explaining that "X2 Biosystem's work and collaboration with USAARL marks an important step for the company in achieving our shared goal of developing solutions for the reduction, management and understanding of brain trauma. It also marks another step forward in achieving our goal of continued market expansion."

Improved care of patients with head trauma and concussions can likely optimize neurologic outcomes and lead to a reduction in risk for depression and dementia.

TBI continues to be an important issue in the military as a result of injuries that occur during training and military operations. The Army wants combat medics to be able to accurately and objectively assess soldiers with mild to moderate TBI up to 24 hours post injury, improving diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and return to duty. Ultimately, the Army's goal is to ensure more rapid and appropriate treatment of soldiers and veerans to improve short and long term outcomes of mild and moderate TBI.

According to Major General Steve Layfield, U.S. Army (ret.), X2 Biosystems' Government and Industrial Division President, "There is no more important work than assuring that our service men and women benefit from medical advances that can make a crucial difference in health outcomes wherever our military forces are called to serve. Because X2 Biosystems' advanced technology is the gold standard in concussion and TBI management technology, we are confident our technology will allow the Army to meet its goals in addressing TBI."

X2 Biosystems' CEO John Ralston added, "X2 Biosystems' proven, mature technology meets the Army's need for rapid transition of proven commercial, off-the-shelf technology for military application. We welcome the opportunity to grow our partnership with the Army in support of their mission critical needs."

"X2 Biosystems' software has been a valuable tool for team physicians, according to Dr. Matt Matava, of the NFL Physician's Society." "It has allowed us to accurately diagnose concussions immediately following an injury (about 6-8 minutes after a hit)."

In addition to the military, X2 Biosystems is currently working with all 32 NFL teams, the National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), Premiership Rugby, and other professional and amateur athletic teams and organizations.

"There's an understanding that this is an illness," said Ralston when referring to concussions. "We have emerged as the company with the most powerful and well-suited technology for the prevention side."

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