Evaluation of pediatric ATD biofidelity as compared to child volunteers in low-speed far-side oblique and lateral impacts

Jones, Dakota L.; Seacrist, Thomas; Locey, Caitlin M.; Mathews, Emily A.; Balasubramanian, Sriram; Maltese, Matthew R.; Arbogast, Kristy B.

Affiliations

¹Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

²School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University

³Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

⁴Perelman School of Medicine, University of Philadelphia

Abstract

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury and mortality for children. Mitigation of these injuries requires a biofidelic anthropomorphic test devices (ATD) to design and evaluate automotive safety systems. Far-side impacts represent increased injury and mortality rates compared to frontal impacts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biofidelity of the 6- year-old ATDs in low-speed far-side impacts, with and without shoulder belt pre-tightening. Low-speed (2g), far-side oblique (60°) and lateral (90°) sled tests were conducted using the Hybrid III and Q-series 6 year old ATDs. ATDs were restrained by a lap and shoulder belt equipped with a pre-crash belt pre-tightener. Photo-reflective targets were attached to the head, spine, shoulders, and sternum. ATDs were exposed to low-speed sled tests with and without pre- tightening. Age-matched volunteer cohorts consisting of 6-8 year olds (n=7) corresponding to the 6 year old were tested with similar methods. Kinematic data from ATD and human volunteers were collected from a 3-D target tracking system. Metrics of comparison included maximum excursionout of the head top, C4, and T1 landmarks. The ATDs exhibited increased lateral excursion of the head top, C4, and T1 as well as increased downward excursion of the head top compared to the volunteers. Volunteers exhibited greater forward excursion than the ATDs In pre-tightened impacts, the ATDs exhibited reduced excursions than the volunteers. In general, the ATDs overestimated lateral excursion, while underestimating forward excursion of the head and neck compared to the pediatric volunteers. These analyses provide insight into aspects of ATD biofidelity in far-side impacts

Links

URL: http://ibrc.osu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Jones_Manuscript_2014.pdf

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