Dr. Qianhong Wu, a Villanova University professor, has invented, and holds a patent for, a “smart brain”.

Dr. Wu’s revolutionary smart brain is a biometric model of the brain and skull that mimics the complexities of the human head, writes Chris Frew for BioBuzz.

The invention is a new tool for researchers to study and hopefully prevent the impact of brain injuries like concussions.

Dr. Wu is a distinguished Mechanical Engineering Professor and Director of the Cellular Biomechanics and Sports Science Laboratory at Villanova.

The model uses a transparent skull, simulant brain matter, a supportive structure, and cerebrospinal fluid that separates the brain from the skull.

High-speed cameras, pressure sensors, accelerometers, and displacement sensors are all part of the model so researchers can track the flow and pressurization of cerebrospinal fluid when the brain experiences sudden external impacts.

Simulations can include impacts from concrete, the ground, metal, a bat, a vehicle, or another person’s head.

“Traumatic brain injuries impose significant health burdens and place a considerable economic strain on society,” remarked Dr. Wu, “Our smart brain offers invaluable insights into the intricate mechanisms underlying head injuries.”

The invention could lead to improved head protection and save lives, he said

Read more about Dr. Quanhong Wu and his ‘Smart Brain’ at Bio Buzz.