Browse Topic: Torso

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Beyond ATD Dummies-Investigating Pelvic Locking and Torso Kinematics Using Human Body Models in Frontal Impact Scenarios2026-26-0002To be published on 01/16/2026
Occupant Safety systems are usually developed using anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs), such as the Hybrid III, THOR-50M, ES-2, and WorldSID. However, in compliance with NCAP and regulatory guidelines, these ATDs are designed for specific crash scenarios, typically frontal and side impacts involving upright occupants. As vehicles evolve (e.g., autonomous layouts, diverse occupant populations), ATDs are proving increasingly inadequate for capturing real-world injury mechanisms. This has led to the adoption of computational Human Body Models (HBMs), such as the Global Human Body Models Consortium (GHBMC) and Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS), which offer superior anatomical fidelity, variable anthropometry, active muscle behaviour modelling, and improved postural flexibility. HBMs can predict internal injuries that ATDs cannot, making them valuable tools for future vehicle safety development. This study uses a sled CAE simulation environment to analyze the kinematics of the HBMs
Raj, Pavan, Rao, Guruprakash, Pendurthi, Chaitanya Sagar, Nehe, Vaibhav, Chavan, Avinash
Occupant Kinematics and injuries during high speed side impacts: An analysis of ARAI data 2016-20242026-26-0027To be published on 01/16/2026
The objective of the present study was to examine trends in occupant kinematics and injuries during side impact tests carried out on vehicle models over the period of time . Head, shoulder, torso, spine, and pelvis kinematic responses are analyzed for driver dummy in high speed side impacts for vehicle model years, MY2016-2024. Automotive Research Association of India side impact crash data is examined. The test procedure involved a 50.0 km/h moving deformable barrier (MDB) impacting the sides of stationary vehicles. Instrumented 50th-percentile male EURO SID-2 dummy was positioned in the driver seat. Occupant kinematics data, including head accelerations, Head Injury Criterion (HIC15), Torso deflections at thorax and abdominal ribs, spine accelerations at T12, and pelvis accelerations were evaluated and compared. The “peak” and “time to- peak” responses were compared across different vehicle model years. The effect of delta-V, vehicle MY, on occupant kinematics was examined. For
Mishra, Satish, Borse, Tanmay, Kulkarni, Dileep, Mahajan, Rahul, jain, aayushman
Thoracic Injury Mechanisms Due to Front Seatback–Rear Seat Pan Interaction in Severe Rear-Impact Collisions2026-26-0005To be published on 01/16/2026
Severe rear-impact collisions can cause significant intrusion into the occupant compartment when the structural integrity of the rear survival space is insufficient. Intrusion patterns are influenced by impact configuration—underride, in-line, or override—with underride collisions channeling forces below the beltline through the rear wheels as a primary load path. This force concentration rapidly propels the rear seat-pan forward, contacting the rearward-rotating front seatback. The resulting bottoming-out phenomenon produces a forward impulse that amplifies loading on the front occupant’s upper torso, increasing the risk of thoracic injury even when the head is properly supported by the head restraint. This study analyzes a real-world rear-impact collision that resulted in fatal thoracic injuries to the driver, attributed to the interaction between the driver’s seatback and the forward-moving rear seat pan. A vehicle-to-vehicle crash test was conducted to replicate similar intrusion
Thorbole, Chandrashekhar
Adaptive Restraints for Equitable protection.2026-26-0015To be published on 01/16/2026
Real-world crashes involve diverse occupants, but traditional restraint systems are designed for a limited range of body types considering the applicable regulations and protocols. While conventional restraints are effective for homogeneous occupant profiles, these systems often underperform in real-world scenarios with diverse demographics, including variations in age, gender, and body morphology. This study addresses this critical gap by evaluating adaptive restraint systems aligned with the forthcoming EURO NCAP 2026 protocols, which emphasize real-world crash diversity and occupant inclusivity. Through digital studies of frontal impact scenarios, we analyse biomechanical responses using adaptive restraints across varied occupant demographics, focusing on head and chest injury (e.g., Head Injury Criterion [HIC] and Chest Compression Criterion [CC]). This study used a Design of Experiments (DOE) approach to optimize occupant protection by timing the activation of these adaptive
satija, Anshul, Suryawanshi, Yuvraj, Chavan, Avinash, Rao, Guruprakash
Machine learning model to predict Chest Injury during Thorax Impact on Human Body Models2026-26-0665To be published on 01/16/2026
In recent years, virtual models have been handy in predicting potential injury risk to occupants in vehicle crashes. Virtual models offer detailing of occupant anthropometry and closest possible bio-fidelity over existing test devices. This study focuses on the assessment of chest deflections in frontal thorax impacts using virtual human body models of a few anthropometries and transforming the assessment of injuries of broader range of anthropometries (population). The study utilizes machine learning models to enable injury assessment across a broader range of body types. The study has taken a standard test scenario (Kroell load case) having frontal blunt thoracic impact. The load case is replicated in LS-DYNA and finite element human body models (HBMC) of 05th Female and 50th Male are used. The simulation setup replicates the boundary conditions as per literature, the responses necessary to measure chest deflection were validated & recorded. The outputs from the simulations and data
Sridhar, Raam, Arya, Bibhu, Divakar, Prajwal, R, Udhaya Kumar, Bhutki, Prasad, Kumar PhD, Devendra, Kurkuri, Mahendra, Mohan PhD, Pradeep
Importance of Pole Side Impact Test for Assessment of Curtain Airbags2024-26-001901/16/2024
Government of India, in 2017, mandated a Side Impact Test (AIS 099 technically aligned to UN ECE Regulation No. 95.03 series of amendments) on M1 category Passenger Vehicles to ensure protection of occupants in lateral impact accident scenarios. Later, in 2022, a draft notification has been issued by the Government mandating installation of 6 airbags (2 No.of thorax side airbags, 2 No. of head protection or curtain airbags in addition to already mandated installation of Driver and Passenger Airbags) in all such passenger vehicles. However, the vehicles fitted with side thorax airbag and curtain airbags are proposed to be assessed as per AIS099 test only. Curtain Airbags are typically installed to protect occupant’s head from severe injuries in narrow object impacts simulated in Pole Side Impact Test Configurations. However, at present, India has not notified an equivalent standard to UN R135 demanding performance of the vehicle in pole side impact scenarios. Typically, OEMs may need to
Jaju, Divyan, Kulkarni, Dileep, Mahindrakar, Rahul, Mahajan, Rahul
Seatback Failures and Human Tolerance in Severe Rear Impacts2024-26-000301/16/2024
Seatback and head restraints is the primary restraining device in rear-impact collisions. The seatback failures expose front seat occupants to dive deep into the rear compartment survival space. Furthermore, it allows the occupants to get in a position with lower spinal tolerance to the impact direction. This paper employs sled tests to demonstrate the dangers of seatback failures in severe rear impact by allowing the occupants to orient their spine in its lowest tolerance zone to the impact direction. Furthermore, the sled test shows the potential of head pocketing phenomena and torso augmentation producing compressive cervical spine loading enough to cause first-order neck buckling. Finally, the results of collapsing seatback dynamics are compared to the strong seatback performance by conducting a similar test with a strong ABTS seatback. The study demonstrates that the strong seatbacks in severe rear impacts produce favorable outcomes while keeping the occupant in their higher
Thorbole, Chandrashekhar
Modification of the Lower Limb and the Pelvis for a Pedestrian Dummy 2022-01-103403/29/2022
In order to further reduce the pedestrian fatalities, the improvement of pedestrian safety performance of vehicles is needed. One of the way to further understand read-world pedestrian accidents is the evaluation by using a whole-body pedestrian dummy. In the past studies, the leg, the thigh and the pelvis of the pedestrian dummy were developed and improved. However, the requirements for the biofidelity of the pedestrian dummy have been improved in SAE J2782. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate these responses of the past studies by using new requirements and to modify these parts that didn’t meet them. The force-defection curves from 3-point lateral bending tests for the leg and the thigh were compared with the corridors updated in SAE J2782. The biofidelity of the pelvis was evaluated in dynamic lateral compression tests of the isolated pelvis. The sacrum and the pubis force-deflection curves of the iliac or the acetabulum impact were compared with the corridors. The leg and the
Asanuma, HIROYUKI, Bae, Hyejin, Nakamura, Hidetoshi, GUNJI, YASUAKI, Nagashima, Akiko
Upper Body Robotic ExoskeletonTBMG-3817312/01/2020
A soft, wearable, robotic upper limb exoskeleton garment was designed to actively control the shoulder and elbow, both positioning the limb in specific orientations and commanding the limb through desired motions. The invention was developed to provide effective upper extremity motor rehabilitation for patients with neurological impairments (e.g., traumatic brain injury, stroke).
Motor Vehicle Seat DimensionsJ2732_202007-TEST-REC (Historical)07/01/2020
This document provides dimensional definitions that facilitate geometric quantification and evaluation of seats. Linear, radial, and angular surface dimensions included in this document are intended to approximate shape characteristics based on defined points of interest and not as a method needed to reproduce complex surface contours. In many cases, other points across the seat surface shape may exceed or not reach the boundary defined by these simple geometric definitions. Dimensions described in this document have been designed to be measured in a CAD environment; however, many dimensions require the HPD position and attitude. This can be obtained by physically establishing H-point using benchmark or auditing procedures OR by measuring the HPD within a CAD or modelling system. Refer to the appropriate document for these procedures. Three types of seat geometry reference points and measurements have been developed: 1 Simple reference points and measurements not related to H-point. 2
Human Accom and Design Devices Stds Comm
Biomechanics of Passenger Vehicle Underride: An Analysis of IIHS Crash Test Data2020-01-052504/14/2020
Occupant dynamics during passenger vehicle underride has not been extensively evaluated. The present study examined the occupant data from IIHS rear underride crash tests. A total of 35 crash tests were evaluated. The tests were classified as full-width (n = 9), 50% overlap (n = 11), and 30% overlap (n = 15). A 2010 Chevrolet Malibu impacted the rear underride guard of a stationary trailer at 35 mph. Several occupant kinematics and dynamics data including head accelerations, head injury criteria, neck shear and axial forces, neck moments, neck indices, chest acceleration, chest displacement, chest viscous criterion, sternum deflection rate, and left/right femur forces/impulses, knee displacements, tibia axial forces, upper/lower tibia moments, upper/lower tibia indices, and foot accelerations were measured. The vehicle accelerations, delta-Vs, and occupant compartment intrusions were also evaluated. The results indicated that the head and neck injury parameters were positively
Atarod, Mohammad
Micro-Mobility Vehicle Dynamics and Rider Kinematics during Electric Scooter Riding2020-01-093504/14/2020
Micro-mobility is a fast-growing trend in the transportation industry with stand-up electric scooters (e-scooters) becoming increasingly popular in the United States. To date, there are over 350 ride-share e-scooter programs in the United States. As this popularity increases, so does the need to understand the performance capabilities of these vehicles and the associated operator kinematics. Scooter tip-over stability is characterized by the scooter geometry and controls and is maintained through operator inputs such as body position, interaction with the handlebars, and foot placement. In this study, testing was conducted using operators of varying sizes to document the capabilities and limitations of these e-scooters being introduced into the traffic ecosystem. A test course was designed to simulate an urban environment including sidewalk and on-road sections requiring common maneuvers (e.g., turning, stopping points, etc.) for repeatable, controlled data collection. A commercially
Garman, Christina MR, Como, Steven G., Campbell, Ian C., Wishart, Jeffrey, O'Brien, Kevin, McLean, Scott
A Human Body Model Study on Restraints for Side-Facing Occupants in Frontal Crashes of an Automated Vehicle2020-01-098004/14/2020
This study was to investigate kinematics and responses of side-facing seated occupants in frontal crashes of an automated minivan using Global Human Body Models Consortium (GHBMC) simplified occupant models (50th%ile male and 5th%ile female), and to develop new restraint concepts to protect the occupants. The latest GHBMC M50-OS and F05-OS models (version 2.2) were further validated with Postmortem Human Subject (PMHS) side sled tests [7]. Robustness and biofidelity of the GHBMC human models, especially for the pelvis region, were enhanced. Using the update M50-OS and F05-OS models, we evaluated the body kinematics and injury measures of the side-facing seated occupants in frontal crashes of a minivan at severities ranging from 24 kph (15 mph) to 56 kph (35 mph). Three restraint configurations were studied: 1) no restraint; 2) lap belt only; 3) lap and head/torso restraints. Parametric studies on the restraint configurations and design parameters of each restraint were performed to
Zhao, Jay Zhijian, Katagiri, Maika, Decker, William, Lee, Sungwoo, Gayzik, Francis
Occupant Dynamics during Moderate-to-High Speed Rear-End Collisions2020-01-051604/14/2020
Numerous studies have evaluated occupant kinematics and dynamics in “low-speed” rear-end impacts (delta-V ≤ 8 mph). Occupant biomechanics during “moderate-to-high” speed rear impacts (9 ≤ delta-V ≤ 20 mph) has not been thoroughly examined. This study characterized the motions and forces experienced by the head, neck, torso, hip, and left/right femur during these collisions. The publicly available NHTSA rear-end crash test data were examined. More specifically, the FMVSS 301 Fuel System Integrity tests were used. The test procedure involved a 30 mph moving barrier impacting the rear of the vehicles. Instrumented 50th-percentile male (N = 47) or 5th-percentile female (N = 4) Hybrid III ATDs were positioned in the driver seat. Occupant data including head accelerations, upper/lower neck shear and axial forces, upper/lower neck moments, lower neck acceleration, torso accelerations, torso deflection, hip accelerations, and left/right femur axial forces were evaluated and compared to
Atarod, Mohammad
Trunk Support Assists Those with Spinal Cord InjuryTBMG-3618203/01/2020
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) can cause devastating damage including loss of mobility and sensation. Researchers have invented the Trunk-Support Trainer (TruST), a robotic device that assists and trains people with SCIs to sit more stably by improving their trunk control and thus gain an expanded active sitting workspace without falling over or using their hands to balance.
Human Torso SimulatorTBMG-3570512/01/2019
Engineers have created a simulator that mimics the mechanical behavior of the human torso. It allows researchers to test different back brace designs and configurations without needing to test them on people, removing significant logistical and ethical issues.
Soft, Multi-Functional RobotsTBMG-3513809/01/2019
In the future, soft, animal-inspired robots may be safely deployed in difficult-to-access environments in which rigid robots cannot currently be used such as inside the human body or in spaces that are too dangerous for humans to work. Centimeter-sized soft robots have been created, but thus far it has not been possible to fabricate multifunctional flexible robots that can move and operate at smaller size scales.
Monitor Babies in the NICU Without WiresTBMG-3458106/01/2019
An interdisciplinary Northwestern University team has developed a pair of soft, flexible wireless sensors that replace the tangle of wire-based sensors that currently monitor babies in hospitals’ neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and pose a barrier to parent-baby cuddling and physical bonding. The lead researcher was John A. Rogers, a bioelectronics pioneer, who led the technology development. The team recently completed a series of first human studies on premature babies at Prentice Women’s Hospital and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. The researchers concluded that the wireless sensors provided data as precise and accurate as that from traditional monitoring systems. The wireless patches also are gentler on a newborn’s fragile skin and allow for more skin-to-skin contact with the parent. Existing sensors must be attached with adhesives that can scar and blister premature newborns’ skin. The study, involved materials scientists, engineers, dermatologists, and
Occupant Kinematics and Loading in Low Speed Lateral Impacts2019-01-102704/02/2019
Instrumented human subject and anthropomorphic test device (ATD) responses to low speed lateral impacts were investigated. A series of 12 lateral collisions at various impact angles were conducted, 6 near-side and 6 far-side, with each test using an ATD and one human subject. Two restrained female subjects were utilized, with one positioned in the driver seat and one in the left rear seat. Each subject was exposed to 3 near-side and 3 far-side impacts. The restrained ATD was utilized in both the driver and left rear seats, undergoing 3 near-side and 3 far-side impacts in each position. The vehicle center of gravity (CG) change in velocity (delta-V) ranged from 5.5 to 9.4 km/h (3.4 to 5.8 mph). Video analysis was used for quantification and comparison of the human and ATD motions and interactions with interior vehicle structures. Human head, thorax, and low back accelerations were analyzed. Peak human subject head resultant accelerations ranged from 0.9 to 36.8 g’s. Peak human subject
Furbish, Christopher, Welcher, Judson, Brink, Justin, Jones, Brian, Swinford, Scott, Anderson, Robert
Analysis of Rear Seat Sled Tests with the 5th Female Hybrid III: Incorrect Conclusions in Bidez et al. SAE 2005-01-17082019-01-061804/02/2019
Objective: Sled test video and data were independently analyzed to assess the validity of statements and conclusions reported in Bidez et al. SAE paper 2005-01-1708 [7]. Method: An independent review and analysis of the test data and video was conducted for 9 sled tests at 35 km/h (21.5 mph). The 5th female Hybrid III was lap-shoulder belted in the 2nd or 3rd row seat of a SUV buck. For one series, the angle was varied from 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 deg PDOF. The second series involved shoulder belt pretensioning and other belt modifications. Results: Bidez et al. [7] claimed “The lap belts moved up and over the pelvis of the small female dummy for all impact angles tested.” We found that there was no submarining in any of the tests with the production lap-shoulder belts. Bidez et al. [7] claimed “H3-5F dummies began to roll out of their shoulder belt at… 30 degrees. Complete loss of torso support was seen at 45 degrees without significant kinetic energy dissipation.” We found that the
Viano, David, Parenteau, Chantal
Influence of DISH, Ankylosis, Spondylosis and Osteophytes on Serious-to-Fatal Spinal Fractures and Cord Injury in Rear Impacts2019-01-102804/02/2019
Seats have become stronger over the past two decades and remain more upright in rear impacts. While head restraints are higher and more forward providing support for the head and neck, serious-to-fatal injuries to the thoracic and cervical spine have been seen in occupants with spinal disorders, such as DISH (diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis), ankylosis, spondylosis and/or osteophytes that ossify the joints in the spine. This case study addresses the influence of spinal disorders on fracture-dislocation and spinal cord injury in rear impacts with relatively upright seats. Nineteen field accidents were investigated where serious-to-fatal injuries of the thoracic and cervical spine occurred with the seat remaining upright or slightly reclined. The occupants were lap-shoulder belted, some with belt pretensioning and cinching latch plate. The occupants were older and had pre-existing disorders of the spine, including DISH, ankylosis, spondylosis and/or osteophytes that ossify the
Viano, David, Parenteau, Chantal, White, Samuel
Aircraft Personal Ventilation: A CFD Thermal Comfort Analysis2019-01-134703/19/2019
Nowadays, many different research efforts are being conducted to develop personal ventilation system for aircrafts. A numerical CFD study is presented as an example analysis, finding the relationship between the initial jet temperature and mass flow to the local thermal comfort on the head, chest and face. Typical regional airplane cabin geometry was used with two passengers seated. The passengers were modeled with numerical manikins with body and arms. The study first investigated whether the personal ventilation jet has influence on only one of the passengers or if it also affects the other. It was demonstrated that the proposed personal ventilation outlet can influence local thermal comfort with minimum influence on the adjacent passenger. The equivalent temperatures on the head, chest and face were calculated with different initial jet temperatures. It was shown that the three body parts present different dependence on the initial jet temperature due to the different distances of
Stancato, Fernando
Artificial Joint Restores Wrist-Like MovementsTBMG-3371702/01/2019
For patients missing a hand, one of the biggest challenges to regaining a high level of function is the inability to rotate one's wrist (pronate and supinate). These are essential movements involved in everyday tasks such as using a door handle, a screwdriver, a knob, or simply turning over a piece of paper. For those missing their hand, these are much more awkward and uncomfortable tasks, and current prosthetic technologies offer only limited relief to this problem.
Styling and Packaging Approach to Meet Pedestrian Upper Leg Requirements as per Euro NCAP Protocol2019-26-000701/09/2019
In most of the countries all over the world, thousands of pedestrians and vulnerable road users are struck by motor vehicles and getting killed or get severe injuries. Accident research data shows that pedestrians are a significant proportion of all road user casualties []. In pedestrian impact with vehicle front end, several organ forms impact directly to front end of the vehicles and get severe injuries in head, lower leg and pelvis region. Pelvis region of pedestrian get severe injuries due to hit by Bonnet Leading Edge. Impact force is major injury driving parameter in case of pelvis region. In earlier Euro NCAP Pedestrian Protocol -v7.1.1 [], upper leg impact energy calculation was based on BLE (Bonnet Leading Edge) height and bumper lead. Vehicle front end styling was not playing any role in deciding upper leg impact energy. Upper leg impact performance was purely dependent on BLE height and package space available. Whereas in current Euro NCAP Pedestrian Protocol -v8.4 [], upper
Mhaskar, Dnyaneshwar, Mahapatre, Ashish Kumar, Bhagat, Milind
Dynamic Spine Brace Characterizes Spine DeformitiesTBMG-3362901/01/2019
Spine deformities, such as idiopathic scoliosis and kyphosis (also known as “hunchback”), are characterized by an abnormal curvature in the spine. The children with these spinal deformities are typically advised to wear a brace that fits around the torso and hips to correct the abnormal curve. Bracing has been shown to prevent progression of the abnormal curve and avoid surgery; however, the underlying technology for bracing has not fundamentally changed in 50 years.
Low-Voltage Cap Could Improve DBS DevicesTBMG-3245708/01/2018
Treatment to control involuntary body movements characteristic of Parkinson's disease could someday be guided by brain signals recorded by electrodes inside a fashionable hat. That is a piece of a larger goal in the research of Nicole Swann of the UO's department of human physiology. She's the lead author of a newly published study in the Journal of Neural Engineering that, she says, offers encouragement to pursue that notion.
Using Optical 3D Scanning to Measure the Human BodyTBMG-3245508/01/2018
The latest advances in 3D technologies are revolutionizing the ability to measure the human body, and this is having a tremendous impact on the healthcare industry and in the development of healthcare products. For example, Japanese research company Unitika Garments Technology is using optical 3D scanning to measure the human body to research use of dimensional inspection for quality control of textile products. Optical 3D measurement produces data that cannot be gathered using traditional methods.
Scientists Develop Elastic Metal Rods to Treat ScoliosisTBMG-2906505/01/2018
National University of Science and Technology MISIS Moscow, Russia
Determination of Impact Responses of ES-2re and SID-IIs - Part I: ES-2re2018-01-144904/03/2018
The main purpose of this study was to determine the impact responses of the different body regions (shoulder, thorax, abdomen and pelvis/leg) of the ES-2re and SID-IIs dummies using rigid wall impacts under different initial test conditions. The experimental set-up consisted of a flat rigid wall with five instrumented load-wall plates aligned with dummy’s shoulder, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and knee impacting a stationary dummy seated on a rigid seat at a pre-determined velocity. The relative location and orientation of the load-wall plates was adjusted relative to the body regions of the ES-2re and SID-IIs dummies respectively. The load-wall forces and dummy responses were primarily evaluated by varying four different test parameters - effect of velocity (initial velocity vs. velocity-time pulse), effect of shoulder engagement (with and without shoulder load-wall plate), effect of initial arm position of the dummy (40 deg. vs. 90 deg.), and effect of oblique loading of thorax by
Aekbote, Krishnakanth, Cheng, James, Belwafa, Jamel E., Chou, Clifford C., Yang, King H., Cavanaugh, John M., Rouhana, Stephen W.
Stretchable Electronics a ‘Game Changer’ for Stroke Recovery TreatmentTBMG-2874504/01/2018
A groundbreaking new wearable device designed to be worn on the throat could be a game changer in the field of stroke rehabilitation.
Smart Garment Prevents Back StressTBMG-2743010/01/2017
A team of engineers has combined the science of biomechanics and advances in wearable tech to create a smart, mechanized undergarment. The team’s testing proves that the smart clothing offloads stress on the low back.
New Material Regrows BoneTBMG-2659903/30/2017
A team of researchers repaired a hole in a mouse’s skull by regrowing “quality bone,” a breakthrough that could drastically improve the care of people who suffer severe trauma to the skull or face. The work by a joint team of Northwestern Engineering and University of Chicago researchers was a resounding success, showing that a potent combination of technologies was able to regenerate the skull bone with supporting blood vessels in just the discrete area needed without developing scar tissue — and more rapidly than with previous methods.
Analysis of Driver Kinematics and Lower Thoracic Spine Injury in World Endurance Championship Race Cars during Frontal Impacts2017-01-143203/28/2017
This study used finite element (FE) simulations to analyze the injury mechanisms of driver spine fracture during frontal crashes in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) series and possible countermeasures are suggested to help reduce spine fracture risk. This FE model incorporated the Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS) scaled to a driver, a model of the detailed racecar cockpit and a model of the seat/restraint systems. A frontal impact deceleration pulse was applied to the cockpit model. In the simulation, the driver chest moved forward under the shoulder belt and the pelvis was restrained by the crotch belt and the leg hump. The simulation predicted spine fracture at T11 and T12. It was found that a combination of axial compression force and bending moment at the spine caused the fractures. The axial compression force and bending moment were generated by the shoulder belt down force as the driver’s chest moved forward. The axial compression force at the spine was also induced by
Katsuhara, Tadasuke, Takahira, Yoshiki, Hayashi, Shigeki, Kitagawa, Yuichi, Yasuki, Tsuyoshi
Contour Based Repositioning of Specific Joints of the GHBMC Human Body FE Model2017-26-026501/10/2017
The generation of anatomically correct postures of finite element based Human Body Models (HBM) is indispensable for injury prediction in passive safety analysis. HBMs are often underutilized in industrial R&D since these are typically available only in one posture and do not represent the variability in the human postures in an actual vehicle environment. The work presented in the paper is part of a number of tools being developed for this purpose under a European Union project - Piper. It uses a computer graphic based method for positioning an HBM in the desired posture. In the past the technique has been used for repositioning the knee and pelvic joints of the HBM. The technique has been extended to other joints of the HBM. It ensures that the result is anatomically correct while maintaining its mesh quality. Further, the method needs minimal subjective intervention. In the method, a set of contours are first defined on the given model surface. The space between the contours and
Chawla, Anoop, Singh, Sukhraj, Paruchuri, Sachiv, Chhabra, Aditya
DARPA Helps Paralyzed Man Feel Again Using a Brain-Controlled Robotic ArmTBMG-2608012/01/2016
A DARPA-funded research team has demonstrated for the first time in a human a technology that allows an individual to experience the sensation of touch directly in the brain through a neural interface system connected to a robotic arm. By enabling two-way communication between brain and machine — outgoing signals for movement and inbound signals for sensation — the technology could ultimately support new ways for people to engage with each other and with the world.
Yale Startup 'Advances' Guidewire PlacementTBMG-2596011/20/2016
A device from Yale University researchers aims to simplify the process of placing a central venous catheter, or central line, in patients. The Ballistra Guidewire Advancer allows the physician to insert a guidewire with one hand and continuously monitor the location of the needle tip via ultrasound. The procedure allows full visibility of the guidewire at all times, and simplifies the process to a few thumb movements.
In-Vehicle Driving Posture Reconstruction from 3D Scanning Data Using a 3D Digital Human Modeling Tool2016-01-135704/05/2016
Driving posture study is essential for the evaluation of the occupant packaging. This paper presents a method of reconstructing driver’s postures in a real vehicle using a 3D laser scanner and Human Builder (HB), the digital human modeling tool under CATIA. The scanning data was at first converted into the format readable by CATIA, and then a personalized HB manikin was generated mainly using stature, sitting height and weight. Its pelvis position and joint angles were manually adjusted so as to match the manikin with the scan envelop. If needed, a fine adjustment of some anthropometric dimensions was also preceded. Finally the personalized manikin was put in the vehicle coordinate system, and joint angels and joint positions were extracted for further analysis.
Chen, Junyi, Jiang, Bangshui, Song, Shutao, Wang, Hongyan, Wang, Xuguang
Robotic Surgical Devices, Systems, and Related MethodsTBMG-2366801/01/2016
Various advancements have been made in the development of miniature in vivo surgical robots. These robots are designed to perform Laparoendo scopic Single-Site Surgery (LESS). After being inserted through a single incision, these robots can perform surgical procedures in a dexterous workspace. Each robot consists of two halves, and each half is inserted individually through a single incision. Each half can be stepped through preset orientations as it is inserted to overcome the obstacle of limited space. Once both halves are inside the abdominal cavity, control rods protruding through the single incision allow for proper alignment. A central mounting rod is then used to mate the halves together and support the robot. The central mounting rod allows for an endoscope to be inserted through the central mounting rod, between each robot half, to provide visual feedback for surgery. The system allows for three-degree-of-freedom motion of the endoscope. Additionally, an onboard camera can be
Comparison of ATD to PMHS Response in the Under-Body Blast Environment2015-22-001711/09/2015
A blast buck (Accelerative Loading Fixture, or ALF) was developed for studying underbody blast events in a laboratory-like setting. It was designed to provide a high-magnitude, high-rate, vertical loading environment for cadaver and dummy testing. It consists of a platform with a reinforcing cage that supports adjustable-height rigid seats for two crew positions. The platform has a heavy frame with a deformable floor insert. Fourteen tests were conducted using fourteen PMHS (post mortem human surrogates) and the Hybrid III ATD (Anthropomorphic Test Device). Tests were conducted at two charge levels: enhanced and mild. The surrogates were tested with and without PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), and in two different postures: nominal (knee angle of 90°) and obtuse (knee angle of 120°). The ALF reproduces damage in the PMHS commensurate with injuries experienced in theater, with the most common damage being to the pelvis and ankle. Load is transmitted through the surrogates in a
Danelson, Kerry A., Kemper, Andrew R., Mason, Matthew J., Tegtmeyer, Michael, Swiatkowski, Sean A., Bolte IV, John H., Hardy, Warren N.
Vertical Occupant Loading in Car Crashes; Test Methods and Countermeasures2015-01-145904/14/2015
Vertical loading can cause thoracic and lumbar spine injuries to a car occupant. Crashes potentially causing occupant vertical loads include; rollover events or free flying events when the car lands on its wheels, and run off road events when the car goes into the ditch and collides with an embankment. To date, there is no standardized test method evaluating this occupant loading mechanism. The aim of this study was to develop test methods addressing vertical occupant loading for car occupants and to evaluate countermeasures for reduction of such loads. Based on real world run off road crashes, representative test track methods were developed. These complete vehicle test track methods were used to provide input to a simplified and repeatable rig test method. The rig test method comprises a dummy positioned in a seat attached to a frame and exposed to a vertical acceleration. Vertical pelvis acceleration is monitored, as an indication of potential loads through the spine. Two different
Jakobsson, Lotta, Björklund, Magnus, Axelson, Anders
Effects of Crash Pulse, Impact Angle, Occupant Size, Front Seat Location, and Restraint System on Rear Seat Occupant Protection2015-01-145304/14/2015
In this study, two sled series were conducted with a sled buck representing a compact vehicle. The first series of tests focused on the effects of crash pulse, impact angle, occupant size, and front seat location on rear seat occupant restraint with a generic rear-seat belt system without pre-tensioner or load limiter. The second series of tests focused on investigating the benefit of using advanced features for rear-seat occupant restraint in the most severe crash condition in the first sled series. The first series of tests include 16 test conditions with two impact angles (0° and 15°), two sled pulse (soft and severe), and four ATD sizes (HIII 6YO, HIII 5th female, HIII 95th male, and THOR-NT) with two ATDs in each test. The driver seat was located at the mid position, while the front passenger seat was positioned such that a constant distance between the ATD knee and the front seat is achieved. In all the tests, a generic rear-seat belt system without pre-tensioner, load limiter or
Hu, Jingwen, Fischer, Kurt, Lange, Paul, Adler, Angelo
Finite-Element-Based Transfer Equations: Post-Mortem Human Subjects versus Hybrid III Test Dummy in Frontal Sled Impact2015-01-148904/14/2015
Transfer or response equations are important as they provide relationships between the responses of different surrogates under matched, or nearly identical loading conditions. In the present study, transfer equations for different body regions were developed via mathematical modeling. Specifically, validated finite element models of the age-dependent Ford human body models (FHBM) and the mid-sized male Hybrid III (HIII50) were used to generate a set of matched cases (i.e., 192 frontal sled impact cases involving different restraints, impact speeds, severities, and FHBM age). For each impact, two restraint systems were evaluated: a standard three-point belt with and without a single-stage inflator airbag. Regression analyses were subsequently performed on the resulting FHBM- and HIII50-based responses. This approach was used to develop transfer equations for seven body regions: the head, neck, chest, pelvis, femur, tibia, and foot. All of the resulting regression equations, correlation
El-jawahri, Raed E., Laituri, Tony R., Kim, Agnes S., Rouhana, Stephen W., Weerappuli, Para V.
The Application of Hybrid III 5 th Percentile Dummy FE Model for Rear Row Occupant Simulation in Frontal Crash Test2015-01-145804/14/2015
A Finite Element (FE) model for analysis of the rear row occupant injury assessment parameters in a frontal crash test was developed by using the LSTC Hybrid III 5th percentile FE dummy model. Three cases were studied using three different rear seatbelt retractor configurations, which were as follows: an ordinary retractor without load limiter or pretensioner (Case 1), a retractor with load limiter only (Case 2), and a retractor with load limiter and pretensioner (Case 3). The simulation results of each of these three cases were compared respectively to the results obtained from two frontal 50-kph full rigid barrier impact tests and one sled test. It turned out that the dummy kinematics and injury assessment parameters of the head, neck, chest, pelvis and femurs were all similar between test and simulation in the three cases. Thus, FE simulation models can be used to predict dummy injury assessment parameters. The chest and pelvis accelerations and chest deflection reduced, while the
Hu, Jia
Improvement and Validation of the Lower Limb and the Pelvis for a Pedestrian Dummy2015-01-147104/14/2015
The evaluation of pedestrian safety performance of vehicles required by regulations and new car assessment programs (NCAPs) have been conducted. However, the behavior of a pedestrian in an actual car-pedestrian accident is complex. In order to investigate injuries to the pedestrian lower body, the biofidelity of the lower limb and the pelvis of a pedestrian dummy called the POLAR II had been improved in past studies to develop a prototype of the next generation dummy called the POLAR III. The biofidelity of the thigh and the leg of the POLAR III prototype has been evaluated by means of 3-point bending. However, the inertial properties of these parts still needed to be adjusted to match those of a human. The biofidelity of the pelvis of the POLAR III prototype has been evaluated in lateral compression. Although the experiment using PMHSs (Post Mortem Human Subjects) was conducted in dynamic condition, the dummy tests were performed only in quasi-static condition. Therefore, this study
Asanuma, Hiroyuki, Takahashi, Yukou
User's Manual for the Small Adult Female Hybrid III Test DummyJ2862_201502 (Historical)02/03/2015
This user’s manual covers the small adult female Hybrid III test dummy. It is intended for technicians who work with this device. It covers the construction and clothing, disassembly and reassembly, available instrumentation, external dimensions and segment masses, as well as certification and inspection test procedures. It includes instructions for safe handling of the instrumented dummy, repairing dummy flesh, and adjusting the joints throughout the dummy.
Dummy Testing and Equipment Committee
Dynamic Responses of Intact Post Mortem Human Surrogates from Inferior-to-Superior Loading at the Pelvis2014-22-000511/10/2014
During certain events such as underbody blasts due to improvised explosive devices, occupants in military vehicles are exposed to inferior-to-superior loading from the pelvis. Injuries to the pelvis-sacrum-lumbar spine complex have been reported from these events. The mechanism of load transmission and potential variables defining the migration of injuries between pelvis and or spinal structures are not defined. This study applied inferior-to-superior impacts to the tuberosities of the ischium of supine-positioned five post mortem human subjects (PMHS) using different acceleration profiles, defined using shape, magnitude and duration parameters. Seventeen tests were conducted. Overlay temporal plots were presented for normalized (impulse momentum approach) forces and accelerations of the sacrum and spine. Scatter plots showing injury and non-injury data as a function of peak normalized forces, pulse characteristics, impulse and power, loading rate and sacrum and spine accelerations
Yoganandan, Narayan, Moore, Jason, Arun, Mike W. J., Pintar, Frank A.
Dexterous Humanoid RobotTBMG-1991406/01/2014
A humanoid robot has been created that includes a torso, a pair of arms, a neck, and a head. The torso extends along a primary axis and presents a pair of shoulders. The pair of arms movably extends from the shoulders. Each of the arms is fully jointed. The neck movably extends from the torso along the primary axis, and has at least one neck joint. The head movably extends from the neck along the primary axis. The head has at least one head joint. The shoulders are canted toward one another at a shrug angle that is defined between each of the shoulders such that a workspace is defined between the shoulders.
Scalable Multi-Purpose Virtual Human Model for Future Safety Assessment2014-01-053404/01/2014
The paper concerns the development of a new scalable virtual human body model. The model has been developed to assess safety risk during various complex crash scenarios including impacts from different directions. The novel approach described couples the basic multi-body structure with deformable segments, resulting in short calculation time. Each multi-body structure segment carries the particular surface parts that are linked to the segment with non-linear springs representing the behavior of related soft tissues. The response of particular body segments (head, thorax, pelvis, lower extremities) is validated in known impact scenarios and the response of the model is tuned to the experimental corridors obtained from literature. The tuning process involved the adjustment of both model material and numerical parameters in order to get the correct response for all the tests. Several energy level impacts from different directions are usually considered in order to generalize the model; to
Vychytil, Jan, Manas, Jaroslav, Cechova, Hana, Spirk, Stanislav, Hyncik, Ludek, Kovar, Ludek
Oblique Lateral Impact Biofidelity Deflection Corridors from Post Mortem Human Surrogates2013-22-001611/11/2013
The objective of the study was to determine the thorax and abdomen deflection-time corridors in oblique side impacts. Data were analyzed from Post Mortem Human Surrogate (PMHS) sled tests, certain aspects of which were previously published. A modular and scalable anthropometry-specific segmented load-wall system was fixed to the platform of the sled. Region-specific forces were recorded from load cells attached to the load-wall plates. The thorax and abdomen regions were instrumented with chestbands, and deflection contours were obtained. Biomechanical responses were processed using the impulse-momentum normalization method and scaled to the mid-size male mass, 76-kg. The individual effective masses of the thorax and abdomen were used to determine the scale factors in each sled test, thus using the response from each experiment. The maximum deflections and their times of attainments were obtained, and mean and plus minus one standard deviation corridors were derived. Test-by-test
Yoganandan, Narayan, Humm, John R., Arun, Mike W. J., Pintar, Frank A.
Analysis of Seat Belt Positioning in Recent NCAP Crash Tests2013-01-046004/08/2013
The objective of this study was to analyze the position of the shoulder belt and adjustable upper anchorage (AUA) relative to the occupant in recent (2011-2012) NHTSA NCAP frontal crash tests. Since 2011, certain changes have been made in the NCAP test procedure. These changes include different Hybrid III occupant sizes as well as variations in the methods for calculating injury risk. One of the most significant changes has to do with thoracic injury risk calculation which was previously associated with chest acceleration and is now based on chest deflection as the measurable parameter. Using the NHTSA NCAP database, as well as other crash test data sources, a comparison was made between the designated upper anchorage position prior to a crash test and the actual position of the belt webbing with respect to the chest deflection measurement potentiometer sub-assembly of the Hybrid III. It was found that virtually all of the recent NCAP tests reported a disparity between the position of
Haight, Sean, Samaha, Randa Radwan, Biss, David
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