New tool set to revolutionise head injury assessment

Concussion is top of the agenda for World Rugby, when it comes to protecting player welfare.

And a kickboxing event in Auckland over the weekend may have offered a window to the future, after trialling new technology that's set to revolutionise how brain injuries are detected.

Looking like a large TV remote, the 'Infrascanner' is set to dramatically change the approach to head traumas. 

City Kickboxing coach Eugene Bareman knows the impacts of head injuries in sport all too well. 

"We lost a fighter to a brain abnormality," Bareman told Newshub. "Any sort of tools we can have at our disposal to prevent that sort of tragedy is going to be a massive plus."

The device, which can detect bleeding on the brain within three minutes, was previously exclusive to the US military, but was trialled at the King of the Ring in Auckland with great success. 

"It's pretty amazing how fast they can pick up any injury or brain bleed," said UFC flyweight Kai Kara-France 

Priced at $30,000, the affordability and portability are major drawcards, especially when time is of the essence.

World Rugby's crackdown on head knocks has been seen as a major positive in protecting player welfare, with players now having to pass Head Injury Assessment tests before they're allowed to return to the game.   

With so much at stake, a three-minute test with proven technology seems like a no brainer. 

Watch the full story above.