HITIQ Ltd (ASX:HIQ) has received approval for its second US patent covering its proprietary mouthguard tech, one that contains sensors designed to map blows to the head in the name of concussion research and prevention.
The company has been in the concussion space for a number of years and continues targeting Rugby organisations for implementation of its mouthguards where concussions to players are a well known complication of the sport.
In the last week, the company has also pivoted to the education sector – hoping to get kids wearing its mouthguards. To be sure, it’s possible the company could get more enthusiastic support from parents and schools with a view towards concussion prevention.
This is the second patent approval in under a month for the company – Wednesday’s announcement relates to a patent covering accessory parts of the mouthguard proper.
“A key part of HITIQ’s patent strategy, including in relation to this patent, is to seek coverage over technologies which allow for instrumented mouthguard technology to transition from bespoke research tools, and into commercial use devices for sports participants at all levels,” HITIQ CEO Mike Vegar said.
“This IP goes a long way to ensuring functionality, comfort & manufacturing efficiency across all of the targeted product markets.”
The company is unique as far as the ASX goes, being the only one of its kind listed in Australia.
The company is tapping into a growing trend. The University of South Australia was last year looking at “brain biometrics” in sports concussions, and the topic of sports concussions broadly continues to be increasingly discussed in the media broadly, and is only receiving more academic attention.
HIQ last traded at 1.7cps.