A multi-body human model for rear-impact simulation

This paper presents the validation of a 50th-percentile male multi-body human model specifically developed for rear-impact simulation. The aim is to develop a biofidelic model with the simplest architecture that can simulate the interaction of the human body with the seat during rear impact. The model was validated using the head-and-neck and torso responses of seven volunteers from the Japanese Automobile Research Institute sled tests, which were performed at an impact speed of 8 km/h with a rigid seat and without head restraint and seat belt. The results indicate that the human-body model can effectively mimic the rear-impact response of a 50th-percentile male with a good level of accuracy and has the potential to predict whiplash injury

A multi-body head-and-neck model for simulation of rear impact in cars

This paper presents the development and validation of a 50th percentile male multi-body head-and-neck model, aimed primarily at analysing rear impact and the resulting whiplash injury effects. The objective is to design a computationally efficient model behaving like a human head and neck in the case of a rear impact. The volunteer sled tests performed by the Japanese Automobile Research Institute (JARI) have been used for the validation of the head–neck model for low-speed rear-impact analysis. The presented approach for the multibody head-and-neck model is simple, effective, and capable of producing biofidelic responses. The results show that the model can represent with a high degree of accuracy the rear-impact response of a human

X-ray-based machine vision system for distal locking of intramedullary nails

In surgical procedures for femoral shaft fracture treatment, current techniques for locking the distal end of intramedullary nails, using two screws, rely heavily on the use of two-dimensional X-ray images to guide three-dimensional bone drilling processes. Therefore, a large number of X-ray images are required, as the surgeon uses his/her skills and experience to locate the distal hole axes on the intramedullary nail. The long-term effects of X-ray radiation and their relation to different types of cancer still remain uncertain. Therefore, there is a need to develop a surgical technique that can limit the use of X-rays during the distal locking procedure. A robotic-assisted orthopaedic surgery system has been developed at Loughborough University to assist orthopaedic surgeons by reducing the irradiation involved in such operations. The system simplifies the current approach as it uses only two near-orthogonal X-ray images to determine the drilling trajectory of the distal locking holes, thereby considerably reducing irradiation to both the surgeon and patient. Furthermore, the system uses robust machine vision features to reduce the surgeon's interaction with the system, thus reducing the overall operating time. Laboratory test results have shown that the proposed system is very robust in the presence of variable noise and contrast in the X-ray images

Car seat design to improve rear-impact protection

This study presents car seat concepts which are designed to mitigate whiplash injuries through coordinated motion of seat components for a wide range of crash severities. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed car seat concepts, computational multibody models of a generic car seat and a biofidelic 50th-percentile male human model for rear impact are developed. A number of car seat concepts are shown to reduce the risk of whiplash injuries by utilizing head restraint support and energy-absorbing features, which remain reusable after impact

Automated people-counting by using low-resolution infrared and visual cameras

Non-contact counting of people in a specified area has many applications for safety, security and commercial purposes. Visible sensors have inherent limitations for this task, being sensitive to variations in ambient lighting and colours in the scene. Infrared imaging can overcome many of these problems, but normally hardware costs are prohibitively expensive. A system for counting people in a scene using a combination of low cost, low-resolution visual and infrared cameras is presented in this paper. The aim of this research was to assess the potential accuracy and robustness of systems using low-resolution images. This approach results in considerable savings on hardware costs, enabling the development of systems which may be implemented in a wide range of applications. The results of 18 experiments show that the system can be accurate to within 3% over a wide range of lighting conditions

Две модели геймификации и их реализация в LMS MOODLE

Objective. This study presents an investigation of anti-whiplash features that can be implemented in a car seat to reduce whiplash injuries in the case of a rear impact. The main emphasis is on achieving a seat design with good energy absorption properties. Methods. A biofidelic 50th percentile male multi-body human model for rear impact is developed to evaluate the performance of car seat design concepts. The model is validated using the responses of 7 volunteers from the Japanese Automobile Research Institute (JARI) sled tests, which were performed at an impact speed of 8 kph with a rigid seat and without head restraint and seat-belt. A generic multi-body car seat model is also developed to implement various seatback and recliner properties, anti-whiplash devices and head restraints. Using the same driving posture and the rigid seat in the JARI sled tests as the basic configuration, several anti-whiplash seats are designed to allow different types of motion for the seatback and seat-pan. Results. The anti-whiplash car seat design concepts limit neck internal motion successfully until the head to head restraint contact occurs and they exhibit low NICmax values (7 m2/s2 on average). They are also effective in reducing neck compression forces and T1 forward accelerations. In principle, these car seat design concepts employ controlled recliner rotation and seat-pan displacement to limit the formation of S-shape. This is accomplished by using anti-whiplash devices which absorb the crash energy in such a way that an optimum protection is provided at different severities. Conclusions. The results indicate that the energy absorbing car seat design concepts all demonstrate good whiplash reducing performances at the IIWPG standard pulse. Especially in higher severity rear impacts, two of the car seat design concepts reduce the ramping of the occupant considerably

Feedback device for improvement of coordination of reach-to-grasp after stroke

Objective To describe a novel feedback device (Grasp Rehabilitation Accessory for Stroke Patients [GRASP]) that gives feedback on the time lag between the start of hand opening and the start of transport during reach-to-grasp movements, and to report the results of a preliminary series of single case studies to assess the utility of the device for improving the coordination of arm and hand at the beginning of a reach-to-grasp movement