Title: DEVELOPMENT OF A RETROFIT CAR SEAT HEAD RESTRAINT WITH APPLICATION TO PREVENTION OF CERVICAL SPINE WHIPLASH INJURY
Abstract: Cervical spine whiplash or retraction-extension-flexion motion of the spine in response to a rear-end motor vehicle impact results from the interaction of the occupant's body with the restraint system, including the seat back, the head restraint, and the seat and shoulder belts. This manuscript describes studies from which design principles have been defined for development of a retrofit head restraint. This device may reduce intersegmental motions of the cervical spine in a rear-end impact and possibly lower the potential for whiplash injury. In these studies the seating position of 719 drivers in their own cars have been investigated, and accident reconstruction and medical records reviews of 432 actual low-damage accidents have been performed. In addition, staged rear end impacts involving 33 runs with 11 human volunteers have been performed and the impact properties of 6 seats with a standard head restraint and a prototype retrofit device tested. From these studies have come four design criteria for a prototype anti-whiplash retrofit head restraint. Pilot testing has shown that the retro-fit anti-whiplash head restraint attenuates the motion of the head and torso in a simulated rear-end impact. For the covering abstract see ITRD E109346.
Publication Year: 2000
Publication Date: 2000-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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