Washington Business Summer 2016 | Page 36

washington business Addressing Concussions Head-on Washington state is home to the first sideline concussion protocol law in the nation. The 2009 “Zackery Lystedt Law” is spurring equipment modernization on sports fields from Pop Warner to the NFL. Bobbi Cussins The science behind concussions is still in its infancy, but two Washington-based companies are pioneers in helmet and mouth guard technology that aims to collect more data on concussions and protect athletes of all ages. Like many 13-year-olds, Zackery Lystedt played football for his junior high. He was an impressive athlete by all accounts. But in 2006, he sustained a head injury that changed the course of his life forever. Referred to as the “just shake it off law,” the injured Zackery re-entered the game after just three plays. When the second half concluded, he collapsed on the field and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where brain swelling and strokes were just the start of his long journey. To combat the “shake it off” culture, Zackery’s parents worked with state Rep. Jay Rodne, R- Snoqualmie, to author the first-ever sideline concussion protocol law in 2009. The model legislation prompted several states to take similar action. Today, this concussion awareness is VICIS is designing, testing and manufacturing a modern football helmet in Seattle. Their goal: better protection for athletes. molding long-overdue and technological advancements in sports equipment. VICIS, a Seattle-based company designing, testing and manufacturing the first significant football helmet modernization since the 1970s, is working with former star athletes, top doctors and — Dr. Samuel Browd, associate professor of neurological surgery at the world-class engineers to give athletes University of Washington, attending neurosurgeon at Seattle Children’s Hospital better protection with its ZERO1 helmet. and co-founder and chief medical officer of VICIS “About three years ago, it seemed like there was a great opportunity to look at the equipment used in football and the helmet was an obvious place to start,” said Dr. Samuel Browd, associate professor of neurological surgery at the University of Washington, attending neurosurgeon at Seattle Children’s Hospital and co-founder and chief medical officer of VICIS. Browd was also part of the Brain Injury Alliance that helped shape the 2009 legislation. While VICIS works on its ZERO1 helmet, Kirkland-based i1 Biometrics is refining its Vector MouthGuard. “About three years ago, it seemed like there was a great opportunity to look at the equipment used in football and the helmet was an obvious place to start.” 36 association of washington business