Multi-directional Impact Protection System

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MIPS BPS ( Brain Protection System ) is a safety technology for helmets . MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System (German multi-directional impact protection system). The technology enables the head to slide inside the helmet. MIPS is intended to reduce harmful rotational forces in the event of an oblique impact, which can be transmitted to the brain . Rotational forces can cause concussions and more severe brain injuries.

The technology was developed in 1996 by scientists from the Royal Institute of Technology and a brain surgeon from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

It is currently installed in various bicycle, ski / snowboard, riding, motorcycle, motocross, climbing, industrial protective and ice hockey helmets.

Rotational movements

The starting point for the development of the MIPS BPS are rotational movements that are harmful to the brain. Rotational movements occur when the brain continues to move or stretch after the head comes to a quick and sudden stop in an oblique impact.

Various researchers have been able to link rotational movements acting on the brain through an oblique impact with severe brain injuries such as diffuse axonal damage and the subdural hematoma. Slight traumatic brain injuries or concussions are also said to be triggered by rotational movements.

functionality

In a helmet with MIPS technology, a low-friction shell allows the head to slide inside the helmet. This is supposed to reduce the rotational movements that would otherwise be transmitted to the brain. The MIPS approach mimics the natural protective system of the human head.

Because the brain is surrounded by a protective cerebrospinal fluid. Thanks to her, it can slide in the skull in the event of an oblique impact. MIPS mimics this cerebrospinal fluid with the help of an additional low-friction shell. It enables the head to slide 10 to 15 millimeters in each direction in the helmet.

Helmets with MIPS technology are designed to protect against both a straight and an oblique impact. Accident statistics show that most accidents result in an oblique impact.

The MIPS BPS is installed by the helmet manufacturer. It cannot be retrofitted by the consumer.

Testing

Helmet models with the MIPS brain protection system are tested in the company's test laboratory in Sweden and compared with the same helmet model without the MIPS brain protection system. To do this, the helmet is dropped from a height of 2.2 to 3.1 meters onto an inclined plate (45 degree angle) with sandpaper. Among other things, it measures to what extent the brain protection system reduces the stress on the brain in the event of an impact.

The following external institutes have checked the technology:

  • Consumer Reports (USA) for bicycle helmets
  • Folksam (Sweden) for ski, bicycle and riding helmets
  • Länsförsäkringar (Sweden) for bicycle helmets
  • Test Fakta (Sweden) for bicycle helmets
  • Virginia Tech University (USA) for bicycle helmets

history

In 1996, the Swedish neurosurgeon Hans von Holst began to examine the structure of helmets. After several years of research and work on the subject of head trauma for the World Health Organization in Geneva, he came to the conclusion that existing helmet technologies do not offer adequate protection against brain trauma. This often has devastating consequences for accident victims with brain injuries.

Together with scientist Peter Halldin from the Königlich Technische Hochschule, von Holst developed a technology for more effective protection against brain trauma. To study the risk of different types of head injuries and to simulate the impact on a helmet, they used the finite element model (FE model) developed by Svein Kleiven, professor at the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology. After a thorough investigation of the brain's anatomy and physiology and based on their experiments, von Holst and Halldin developed the system now known as the MIPS Brain Protection System, a technology that mimics the protective mechanisms of the brain.

  • MIPS AB was founded in 2001 by five biomechanics from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • After it was founded in 2001, MIPS AB developed its first product. In 2007 a riding helmet with the technology came on the market. At that time, MIPS was producing its own helmet model. The company has since changed its business model and sells its product as an ingredient brand to existing helmet brands.
  • In 2010 MIPS AB expanded into the bike and ski helmet industry. The technology is now widely used here.
  • In early 2014, BRG Sports, Inc., one of the world's largest helmet manufacturers, and MIPS AB formed a formal partnership after several years of working together. Since then, MIPS AB has equipped several new brands with the brain protection system and expanded into the American, European and Chinese markets.
  • At the end of 2015, MIPS produced the millionth bowl.
  • In 2017 the company was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange and had 3,000 shareholders. In 2020 MIPS has over 7,500 shareholders.
  • In 2019 the founders Peter Halldin, Hans von Holst and Svein Kleiven won the Polhemspriset, the oldest and most prestigious Swedish award for technical innovations.
  • In early 2020, MIPS produced more than 14.2 million shells and works with 103 helmet brands. There are currently 583 helmet models with the MIPS brain protection system.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ MIPS: Multi-Directional Impact Protection System for bicycle helmets. March 26, 2019, accessed on June 3, 2020 (German).
  2. ↑ a b Kleiven, Svein: Predictors for traumatic brain injuries evaluated through accident reconstruction . Stapp Car Crash Journal 51 (2007), p. 81-114 .
  3. ↑ a b Margulies, SS, Thibault, L.E: A proposed Tolerance Criterion for Diffuse Axonal Injuries in Man . Journal of Biomechanics, Volume 25 (1992), No. 8 , p. 917-923 .
  4. ^ History of MIPS - MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. In: MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. Accessed on June 3, 2020 (German).
  5. ↑ Helmets with MIPS - MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. In: MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. Accessed on June 3, 2020 (German).
  6. ↑ MIPS: Multi-Directional Impact Protection System for bicycle helmets. March 26, 2019, accessed on June 3, 2020 (German).
  7. ↑ Editor: Comprehensive protection in helmets: Things worth knowing about MIPS technology. In: FRAKTUR - Das Magazin. February 22, 2019, accessed on June 3, 2020 (German).
  8. ↑ test fact. Retrieved June 3, 2020 .
  9. ↑ FAQ - MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. In: MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. Accessed on June 3, 2020 (German).
  10. ↑ MIPS test procedure for approval - MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. In: MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. Accessed on June 3, 2020 (German).
  11. ↑ Functionality - MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. In: MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. Accessed on June 3, 2020 (German).
  12. ↑ Test laboratory - MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. In: MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. Accessed on June 3, 2020 (German).
  13. ↑ Lauren F. Friedman: Best Bike Helmets of 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2020 (American English).
  14. ↑ Helena Stigson, PhD: Bicycle Helmets for Children 2019 . 2019.
  15. ↑ Test av cykelhjälmar. Retrieved June 3, 2020 (Swedish).
  16. ↑ test fact. Retrieved June 3, 2020 .
  17. ↑ Bike Helmet Ratings. Retrieved June 3, 2020 .
  18. ↑ MIPS History - MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system%. In: MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. Retrieved June 3, 2020 (UK English).
  19. ↑ FE-Modell - MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. In: MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. Accessed on June 3, 2020 (German).
  20. ↑ MIPS History - MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system%. In: MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. Retrieved June 3, 2020 (UK English).
  21. ^ History of MIPS - MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. In: MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. Accessed on June 3, 2020 (German).
  22. ↑ The right ski helmet: You have to pay attention to this when buying. Accessed June 3, 2020 (German).
  23. ↑ BRG takes stake in MIPS, will use helmet technology. Retrieved June 3, 2020 .
  24. ^ History of MIPS - MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. In: MIPS - Helmet Brain protection system. Accessed on June 3, 2020 (German).
  25. ↑ | Lär känna alla pristagare. Retrieved June 3, 2020 (Swedish).