People hurt in car crashes or other preventable scenarios can incur a number of different significant medical conditions. Some injuries are relatively serious but respond well to treatment. Broken bones, for example, usually result in a full recovery if people receive prompt medical care.
Other injuries tend to cause long-lasting complications that can influence people’s earning potential and standard of living indefinitely. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) fall into that second category. Typically, those with TBIs have lifelong symptoms related to their conditions. Brain injuries can also potentially worsen after initial trauma without appropriate care. Ongoing bleeding inside the skull or inflammation of brain tissue can cause mounting pressure and secondary damage.
Researchers have recently announced promising new technology that, if adequately developed, might lead to a better long-term prognosis for those with TBIs. The research involves the use of fiber optic implants to monitor the condition of a patient’s brain.
How can fiber optic technology help those with TBIs?
As previously mentioned, TBIs can slowly worsen without proper treatment. Healthcare professionals may struggle to intervene in a timely fashion when brain injuries worsen. It can be difficult to monitor the progression of the injury, as standard imaging tests are costly and require that the patient be physically present.
However, it may soon be possible for researchers to identify early warning signs of changes in the brains of those with TBIs even from remote locations. By implanting optical fibers into the patient’s body, researchers could potentially track neurological changes associated with worsening brain injuries.
The implanted fiber optic system specifically monitored temperature and pH. It also recorded the overall concentrations of crucial molecules, including oxygen, glucose, sodium and calcium. Researchers have conducted studies involving animal brains. They have also used optical fibers to detect changing conditions in human cerebrospinal fluid gathered from healthy individuals.
While such technology is a long way from actively helping humans with TBIs, the potential for major advancements is obvious. Such treatments are likely to be quite costly initially, but they could help prevent TBIs from worsening and producing more significant symptoms.
Obtaining adequate compensation is important for the well-being of those with catastrophic injuries, such as brain injuries. Financial support can help defray immediate medical costs, lost wages and the expenses associated with disability accommodations. People may also be able to seek compensation that could help them afford cutting-edge care as it becomes more accessible in the future.