Traumatic Brain Injury May be Easier to Detect Thanks to New F.D.A. Cleared Device

Traumatic brain injury and mild traumatic brain injury are notoriously difficult to diagnose, especially immediately following an accident. It can sometimes be weeks or even months before victims are aware that their symptoms—which can range from dizziness to insomnia—are connected to a car accident. Statute of limitation laws place limits on the amount of time personal injury victims have to pursue a case. Unfortunately, some victims learn too late that their symptoms are connected to their car accident. This can leave victims shouldering rehabilitative expenses that rightfully should have been paid by a negligent party.

Yet, a new, F.D.A. cleared device may make detection of traumatic brain injury much easier. The device, released by BrainScope, has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration. According to Bethesda Magazine, the device can be used on victims to determine the severity of bleeding in the brain. The device was developed using brain scans of victims of traumatic brain injury. It compares the brain scans of recent victims with the scans of victims in its database. Comparing these scans results in a good educated guess of the severity of the kind of brain injury a patient may have suffered.

While the brain scan device isn’t based on a perfect science—it is based on comparing an EEG reading with other EEG readings—the device can give doctors a clue about whether a patient may be bleeding. This can help improve treatments that doctors can offer brain injury patients.

For car accident victims suffering from mild traumatic brain injury, this is good news. The device can offer doctors a good assessment of the severity of the injury. Many doctors aren’t always sure whether a CT scan should be performed. The accessibility of the newly approved device allows doctors to make more informed decisions.

Currently, the device cannot be used to manage concussion victims, but the company hopes to improve its sensitivity so that it can be used on victims of milder injuries.

Detecting even mild injuries can lead to better care and better outcomes. The U.S. Army is also interested in the device, because it is small, handheld, and can potentially be used in the field. Because the device offers immediate feedback, it can better triage injured soldiers.

For car accident victims, the new technology will ensure that no car accident traumatic brain injury patient falls through the cracks.

Until the device’s use becomes widespread, however, car accident victims are wise to become aware of the symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury and seek immediate medical attention if they believe that they may be suffering from this injury in Meridian and Boise, Idaho.

If you’re facing traumatic brain injury, you’re not alone. The law affords victims of personal injury the right to sue negligent parties for their injuries, medical treatment, and rehabilitation expenses. If you believe this describes you, contact the Law Office of Johnson & Lundgreen today for a free evaluation of your case.