Intro
Danderyd, 2015-02-28
MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is a revolutionary technology,
providing protection with respect to angled impacts.
Look for the yellow MIPS logo on the helmets to ensure that you are wearing a helmet
with MIPS technology!
Mimicking the brain
MIPS’ is a patented protection system and comes from years of studying the human
brain. The brain is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid that protects it by allowing it to
slide when exposed to an angled impact. Mimicking the cerebrospinal fluid, MIPS
creates a sliding layer between the helmet and the head. This reduces the rotational
force otherwise transmitted to the brain. The combination of the brain’s own protection
and MIPS provides better protection from angled impacts.
MIPS applied….
Reports of head and brain injuries in action sports have become increasingly common.
Continuous development and improvement of equipment and training have quickened
the pace of sports, creating a need for improved brain protection. In any collision or fall
there is a high risk of rotational forces impacting the brain. By adding the MIPS sliding layer
to the helmet you add protection from those angled impacts.
MIPS can be utilized in any helmet and does not interfere or take away from any other
technical features, comfort or design.
Cutting edge technology…
MIPS was developed by some of the world’s leading researchers in biomechanics and
neuroscience at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and the Karolinska Institute in
Sweden. With this kind of brainpower behind our technology,
we are raising the bar: offering enhanced safety and protection from rotational forces
to the brain, and creating a new global standard for helmets. We offer you low-friction
layers when it comes to helmets, and in life.
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MIPS in Words
Shortest 24 words
MIPS changes the way we think about helmet safety. Developed by brain surgeons and
scientists to reduce rotational forces on the brain caused by angled impacts to the head.
Shorter, 88 words
MIPS - a patented technology developed to reduce rotational forces on the brain.
Conventional helmets are tested by dropping them vertically onto a flat surface and
they are designed with that testing in mind. MIPS is designed to deal with how most
accidents occur, with angled impacts to the head. MIPS changes the way we think about
helmet safety.
Finite element model illustrating strain in the brain from a similar angled impact when
the user is wearing a helmet without MIPS and a helmet with MIPS. Experimental and
numerical tests, using a Hybrid III crash test dummy head with nine accelerometers
measuring accelerations in all axis, has shown a reduction of the forces to the brain.
Short, 125 words
This helmet is equipped with MIPS – a patented technology developed to reduce
rotational forces causing strain in the brain at angled impacts. Conventional helmets are
tested by dropping them vertically onto a flat surface. MIPS is designed for reality,
reflecting how most accidents occur, with angled impacts to the head. By mimicking the
brain’s own protection system, MIPS can absorb more energy from an angled blow to
the head by creating a low-friction layer between the head and helmet. MIPS raises the
bar for helmet safety.
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Finite element model illustrating strain in the brain from a similar angled impact when
the user is wearing a helmet without MIPS and a helmet with MIPS. Experimental and
numerical tests, using a Hybrid III crash test dummy head with nine accelerometers
measuring accelerations in all axis, has shown a reduction of the forces to the brain.
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Medium long text, 828 words
People love to be active. Let’s keep it that way.
There are now many styles of helmets to choose from, old and new, but only the new
generation of helmets is equipped with the Multi-directional Impact Protection
System (MIPS). MIPS is a revolutionary technology, adding more protection. To
identify the new generation of helmets, look for the little yellow MIPS logo.
How you fall if you fall
Most helmets are tested only by dropping them vertically onto a flat surface. MIPS
technology is the hard-earned result of over 19 years of studies and testing by
some of the world’s leading researchers and brain surgeons, based on a different
principle – reality. Because in reality when you fall, your head usually hits the ground at
an angle, creating a rotational force that leads to strain in the brain. With MIPS, the
helmet can absorb more of that rotational force, adding better protection than helmets
not equipped with MIPS.
Mimicking the brain
The secret behind MIPS’ patented technology derives from the human brain. The brain
is surrounded by a low-friction cushion of cerebrospinal fluid that protects it by
allowing it to slide slightly on impact. MIPS imitates the brain’s way of protecting itself
by giving the helmet its own low-friction layer between the outer shell and the liner,
which also slides to absorb a portion of the energy created by an angled blow to the
head. This can reduce the rotational force otherwise transmitted to your brain. The
combination of the brain’s own protection and MIPS therefore provides more protection
than a helmet without MIPS technology. Very simple and very effective.
MIPS mirrors the brain’s own intelligent protection system and provides an additional
element to helmet safety.
Land on your feet, even when you don’t.
The MIPS patented technology was developed by some of the world’s leading
researchers in biomechanics and neuroscience at the Royal Institute of Technology
(KTH) and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. You can see for yourself the difference in
an angled impact between helmets with and without MIPS. With exactly the same
speed and angle, the results are very different. The pictures speak for themselves – the
more red areas, the more strain in the brain. Gain peace of mind by helping to protect
your brain with a new standard of technology currently on the market, MIPS.
When it comes to safety, a helmet with MIPS is the obvious choice.
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Finite element model illustrating strain in the brain from a similar angled impact when
the user is wearing a helmet without MIPS and a helmet with MIPS. Experimental and
numerical tests, using a Hybrid III crash test dummy head with nine accelerometers
measuring accelerations in all axis, has shown a reduction of the forces to the brain.
Red = High Strain
When the head is subjected to an impact, the brain slides along a membrane on the inner
surface of the skull, which reduces the forces transmitted to the brain. This feature was
copied and technically resolved to create the MIPS Brain Protection System, which in
experimental and numerical tests, has shown a reduction of the forces to the brain.
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Protection in all helmet categories.
In a helmet with MIPS Brain Protection System the shell and the liner are separated by a
low friction layer. When a helmet with MIPS Brain Protection System is subjected to an
angled impact, the low friction layer allows the helmet to slide relative to the head. The
MIPS technology doesn’t interfere with other properties of helmets, design and comfort.
MIPS possesses the know-how concerning methods of manufacturing the low friction
layer. The MIPS Brain Protection System is patented.
A helmet with the MIPS Brain Protection System offers better protection against
rotational violence than one without MIPS. Since 1996 research and tests have been
performed to compare a helmet with the MIPS Brain Protection System to a
conventional helmet. The results showed that it was possible to reduce the rotational
force transmitted to the brain by adding the MIPS Brain Protection System.
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State of the art knowledge
MIPS possesses state-of-the-art knowledge regarding head and neck injury mechanisms,
resulting from the combined experience of 30 years of scientific research in the field.
Besides the MIPS Brain Protection System the owners of MIPS have, together with the
Royal Institute of Technology, developed an advanced computerized finite element
model of the head and neck that can be used for injury prediction in impact simulations.
This model is used to test and optimize the protective properties of safety helmets with
MIPS.
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Long text, 1535 words,
People love to be active. Let’s keep it that way.
There are now many styles of helmets to choose from, old and new, but only the new
generation of helmets is equipped with the Multi-directional Impact Protection
System (MIPS). MIPS is a revolutionary technology, ensuring that a helmet with MIPS
provides better protection against rotational forces than any other helmet on the
market. To identify the new generation of helmets, always look for the little yellow
MIPS logo. Choose the right helmet.
How you fall if you fall
Conventional helmets are tested by dropping them vertically onto a flat surface. MIPS
has evolved through study and testing in Sweden since 1996 by some of the world’s
leading researchers and brain surgeons, based on a different principle – reality. Because
in reality when you fall, your head usually hits the ground at an angle, creating a
rotational force that leads to strain in the brain. With MIPS, the helmet can absorb a
portion of that rotational force, offering you better protection.
A brand new idea, 150.000 years old
The secret behind MIPS’ patented technology comes from the human brain. The brain is
surrounded by a low-friction cushion of cerebrospinal fluid. MIPS imitates the brain’s
way of protecting itself by giving the MIPS-equipped helmet its own low-friction layer
between the helmet and the head. That layer can absorb a portion of the energy
created by an angled blow to the head. The combination of the brain’s own protection
and MIPS therefore offers one of the highest levels of protection from rotational force
currently on the market. Very simple and very effective.
The helmet slides relative to the head on impact, reducing some of the rotational forces
otherwise transmitted to your brain. MIPS imitates the brain’s own protection system
and strives to set a new standard in helmet safety.
Land on your feet, even when you don’t.
The MIPS patented technology was developed by some of the world’s leading
researchers in biomechanics and neuroscience at the Royal Institute of Technology
(KTH) and Karolinska Institute in Sweden. MIPS is creating a new standard for helmets
by testing for rotational impact and adding protection from rotational force. You can see
for yourself the difference in an angled impact between helmets with and without
MIPS. Applying exactly the same speed and angle, the outcomes are very different. The
pictures speak for themselves – the more red areas, the more strain in the brain. When it
comes to safety, a helmet with MIPS technology is the obvious choice. One could say a
real “no brainer!”
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Finite element model illustrating strain in the brain from a similar angled impact when
the user is wearing a helmet without MIPS and a helmet with MIPS. Experimental and
numerical tests, using a Hybrid III crash test dummy head with nine accelerometers
measuring accelerations in all axis, has shown a reduction of the forces to the brain.
Red= High Strain
Add something that makes a difference
Accident statistics show that the many common injuries occur due to angled impact to
the head. However, in standard helmet tests the helmet is dropped vertically onto the
impact surface. The results are helpful for measuring precise vertical impacts, but far
inferior for measuring the more realistic scenario of an angled impact.
MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) has been developed for reality and
increases protection against angled impacts. MIPS is easy to implement in any type of
helmet, offers a competitive advantage over non-MIPS helmets, and most importantly,
benefits your consumers. It simply makes good business sense.
Imitating the brain’s own protection system
The MIPS Brain Protection System mimics one of the safety systems already existing in
the human head. When the head is subjected to an impact, the brain slides along a
membrane on the inner surface of the skull, which reduces the forces transmitted to the
brain. This feature was copied and technically resolved to create the MIPS Brain
Protection System, which in experimental and numerical tests, has shown a reduction of
the rotational forces to the brain.
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Increased Protection in all helmet categories.
In a helmet with MIPS Brain Protection System the shell and the liner are separated by a
low friction layer. When a helmet with MIPS Brain Protection System is subjected to an
angled impact, the low friction layer allows the helmet to slide relative to the head. The
MIPS technology doesn’t interfere with other properties of helmets, style and comfort..
MIPS possesses know-how concerning methods of manufacturing the low friction layer.
The MIPS Brain Protection System is patented.
A helmet with the MIPS Brain Protection System offers better protection against
rotational violence than without MIPS. Since 1996 development and experimental tests
have been performed to compare a helmet with MIPS Brain Protection System to a
conventional helmet. The results have proven it is possible to reduce the rotational
forces to the brain by adding the MIPS Brain Protection System.
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The combination of the brain’s own design and the groundbreaking MIPS Brain
Protection System ensures one of the highest levels of protection currently available on
the market. Very simple and very effective.
The test results speak for themselves.
MIPS protective properties are shown in this figure, which illustrates the reduction of
rotational acceleration from a conventional helmet to a MIPS-equipped helmet.
Angled impact test
MIPS joined forces with the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm to develop a new
helmet test rig for angled impacts. A Hybrid III dummy head (specially designed to
measure the complex forces that occur in the head during an impact) is fixed in a helmet,
which is placed on a frame. The frame is attached to two pillars and travels with
minimum friction in a vertical direction.
The helmet strikes a plate, which is moving horizontally on two PTF-covered rails. The
plate is accelerated by a pneumatic cylinder. Inside the dummy head, a system of nine
accelerometers are mounted. With this method it is possible to measure linear
accelerations in all directions and rotational accelerations around all axes. Plastic and
glass fiber full-face motorcycle helmets, as well as other sports helmets, have been
tested in this type of angled test rig. A more detailed description of the test rig is given in
the doctoral theses by Halldin 2001 and Aare 2003.
MIPS possesses state-of-the-art knowledge regarding head and neck injury mechanisms,
resulting from the combined experience of 30 years of scientific research in the field.
Besides the MIPS Brain Protection System the owners of MIPS have, together with the
Royal Institute of Technology, developed an advanced computerized finite element
model of the head and neck that can be used for injury prediction in impact simulations.
This model is used to test and optimize the protective properties of safety helmets with
MIPS.
The computerized finite element model is an integral part of verifying that your helmet,
with MIPS inside, delivers higher safety properties and reduces damaging rotational
violence to the brain than the same helmet without MIPS.
Partnership – Our business concept
MIPS provide superior knowledge about how to develop safer helmets to all parts of the
distribution chain on a commercially strategic and practical basis. Together we
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collaborate so that you gain access to our expertise in neuronic science & engineering,
technical solutions and consumer insights. We provide full implementation support with
a thorough and sustainable test process including both computer model testing and
experimental tests in the MIPS test rig. We issue an approval on the MIPS Brain
Protection System for each and every MIPS implemented helmet. A combination of our
experienced product managers, closely developed relationships with industrial
designers and great relations with leading helmet producers can be made available upon
request.
References
Aare M. Prevention of head injuries – focusing specifically on angled impacts, Doctoral
Thesis, Division of Neuronic Engineering, School of Technology and Health, Royal
Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. 2003.
Halldin P. Prevention and prediction of head and neck injury in traffic accidents – using
experimental and numerical methods. Doctoral Thesis. Report 2001-1, Department of
Aeronautics, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, 2001.
Kleiven, S. (2006). Evaluation of head injury criteria using an FE model validated against
experiments on localized brain motion, intra-cerebral acceleration, and intra-cranial
pressure. International Journal of Crashworthiness 11 (1), 65-79.
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Illustration
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