WHAT IS MIPS? AND HOW DOES IT WORK? In a helmet with MIPS Brain Protection System (BPS) 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 BPS is designed to add protection in helmets against the rotational motion. The rotational motion is a combination of rotational energy (angular velocity) and rotational forces (from angular acceleration) that both affects the brain and increases the risk for minor and severe brain injuries. MIPS BPS has been proven to reduce rotational motion when implemented in a helmet by absorbing and redirecting rotational energies and forces transferred to the brain.
3. STRAIN IN THE BRAIN CAUSED BY ROTATIONAL MOTION The illustration is based on data that was generated using a finite element computer model, based on measurements obtained from nine accelerometers in a Hybrid III crash test dummy head. The dummy head wearing a helmet was subjected to an angled impact using the MIPS test rig. The model illustrates strain in the brain from a similar angled impact when the dummy head is wearing a helmet without MIPS and a helmet with MIPS.
THE GREAT MISCONCEPTION STANDARDS AND HOW YOU REALLY FALL Accident statistics show that many injuries occur due to angled impact to the head. However, in standard helmet tests the helmet is dropped vertically onto a flat surface. The results are helpful for measuring precise vertical impacts, but inferior for measuring the more realistic scenario of an angled impact. MIPS has been developed for reality and increases protection against angled impacts. HOW HELMETS ARE TESTED TODAY HOW YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO FALL
PATENTED SYSTEM ADDED PROTECTION HAS NEVER BEEN SO EASY A helmet with the MIPS Brain Protection System offers better protection against rotational motion 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 redirect and reduce the rotational motion transmitted to the brain by adding the MIPS Brain Protection System.
How much does the MIPS low friction layer move relative to the helmet? The MIPS BPS has been proven to reduce rotational motion when implemented in a helmet. By a small movement in the low friction layer relative to the helmet (10 15 mm) at the brief moment of an angled impact (5 10 milliseconds), the MIPS BPS lets the head continue in the direction it was heading to, not grabbing into the surface with the intention of redirecting and absorbing a portion of the rotational energies and forces risking to be transferred to the brain. The absorption is due to friction heat and the MIPS BPS spreading the load to a larger area of the helmet liner. The MIPS BPS is designed to work independently of impact direction. What is rotational motion? Rotational motion is a combination of rotational energy (angular velocity) and rotational forces (from angular acceleration). This rotational motion results in shearing and/or stretching of brain tissue which affects the brain and increases (1) the risk for both minor and severe brain injuries 1) McElhaney J. H., Roberts V. L., Hilyard J. F. (1976). Properties of human tissues and components: nervous tissues, in Handbook of Human Tolerance (Tokyo: Automobile Research Institute Inc) Is MIPS developed by a helmet company? No, MIPS was started by scientific and medical researchers with a passion for (1) safety and making a product that possibly could make helmets safer. Q & A FOR MORE INFO VISIT MIPSPROTECTION.COM DISCLAIMER MIPS AB CANNOT AND DOES NOT WARRANTEE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO SUFFERS A COLLISION, FALL, OR OTHER BLOW TO THE HEAD OR PERSON WHILE WEARING THIS HELMET EQUIPPED WITH THE MIPS SYSTEM WILL NEVER SUFFER ANY CONCUSSION OR OTHER INJURY. USER ASSUMES ALL RISKS, INCLUDING ALL RISKS OF BODILY INJURY OR DEATH, ARISING OUT OF USER S PARTICIPATION IN ATHLETIC, RECREATIONAL AND OTHER ACTIVITIES WHILE WEARING THIS HELMET. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, MIPS AB EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OTHER THAN THOSE EXPRESSLY MADE BY MIPS AB HEREIN, INCLUDING THOSE CONTAINED IN UCC SECTIONS 2-314 AND 2-315.