Reflexion Interactive Technologies’ concussion testing product is such a slam dunk, the company’s founders didn’t even need a demo version to take third place at South by Southwest’s Student Startup Madness in March.
“Our mission going in is that we are going to tell our story,” says Matthew Campagna, co-founder and a Case Western Reserve University sophomore. “We did a really good job at that because we received a lot of interest.”
Campagna and his high school friends Matthew Roda and Patrick Walsh were inspired to investigate a cheaper way to test for mild or minor concussions after Roda suffered one that went undiagnosed in a high school hockey game.
The trio discovered a large number of minor concussions are missed in amateur and high school sports because testing equipment is large and expensive. It’s usually only used when an athlete is displaying serious signs such as dizziness, loss of memory and confusion.
“In order to have a test that can catch the mild concussions, it has to be fast, portable and affordable,” Campagna says.
Minor or mild concussions can affect balance, memory and reaction times.
“These are all things that you can measure,” Campagna says.
On first glance, Reflexion’s device looks like a giant Lite Brite. But the 2-by-6-foot touch screen has thousands of green LEDs that test reflex time by measuring how long it takes an athlete to touch one of the lights after it blinks. The wide screen tests peripheral vision and can play repeating patterns to test memory retention.
Campagna says it’s most effective when administered regularly throughout a season instead of after an incident since minor concussions can be missed.
And at just 20 pounds, the screen — made of fiberglass and aluminum — can be folded up and stashed in a standard duffel bag for easy transportation. Campagna says it’s projected cost of $3,000 compared to larger units that reach $18,000 means it can fit into many school budgets.
If the device’s portability makes you wonder why the trio didn’t take the prototype to Austin, Texas, for South by Southwest, Campagna can relate.
“A key takeaway [from South by Southwest] was that at all costs, bring the prototype,” Campagna laughs. “We didn’t, and people wanted to see it.”
Concussion Testing Goes Mobile
A Case Western Reserve University student and his high school friends took third place at a South by Southwest startup contest.
