Occupant kinematics in automotive collisions can result in loading of the abdominal region for the unbelted or belted occupant. Abdominal response may affect kinematics of other body regions. Therefore, it is important to determine the response of an occupant during a crash. Toward this end, the impact response of the thoraco-abdominal region was investigated utilizing unembalmed repressurized human cadavers subjected to frontal impact with a non-deforming steering wheel lower rim. The focus of this research programme was on the response of the soft tissue in the abdominal region and the kinematic response of the lower section of the thoracic cage. A description is given of a unique method, which merges given of a unique method, which merges accelerometer and film date, to determine abdominal response to impact loading conditions. In addition, abdominal response corridors are also presented. (A)
Samenvatting