Project

ION Mouthguard

Client

Schutt Sports

The concussion has gotten a lot of press in the last couple years, and for good reason. Over 20% of NFL athletes were involved in concussion related injuries last year alone. Research into the origin of concussions in sports shows that blows to the jaw are involved in a significant proportion of concussion injuries. It is commonly accepted that once a concussion is experienced some permanent damage to the brain has occurred. Looking to leverage their heavy football brand into the mouth guard market, Schutt Sports partnered with BrainPad to launch a mouth guard.

Consultation with Physicians, Players, Coaches, Trainers, Moms and Dads and our Client revealed the innovation opportunity for a mouth guard with the ability to improve player performance while protecting from impact injuries. The enhanced performance comes in the form of increased oxygen intake and carbon dioxide release through a specific standoff height that increases optimal esophageal airspace and through vents that allow for more efficient air transportation through the mouth. The form and mix of harder and softer polymers allow for optimal fitting and protection in a mouth guard required to fit across a range of mouth shapes and sizes. Also important to the end user was a “cool” aesthetic achieved through a series of form considerations relevant to the client’s brand identity, “techy” translucent polymers, and fresh color appointments (within the constraints of only producing 2 color SKU’s to meet all “player-team color dynamics” needed).