Anatomically-based skeletal coordinate systems for use with impact biomechanics data intended for anthropomorphic...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Post-mortem human subjects (PMHS) are crucial for understanding human biomechanical responses and injury tolerance.
• Instrumentation on PMHS is used to develop and validate anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) as human surrogates.
• Variability in instrumentation placement necessitates standardized coordinate systems for data comparison.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish standardized, anatomically-defined local coordinate systems (LCS) for PMHS.
• To enable consistent reporting and comparison of PMHS kinematic data.
• To facilitate the development and validation of ATDs using PMHS data.

Main Methods:

• Defined anatomically-based LCS for key body regions (head, sternum, vertebrae, pelvis, femurs, tibiae).
• Utilized skeletal landmarks extracted from whole-body CT scans for LCS definition.
• Ensured LCS correspond to instrumentation locations and orientations used in ATDs.

Main Results:

• Publication of standardized PMHS LCS for multiple skeletal regions.
• The proposed LCS provide a framework for consistent data reporting across institutions.
• Facilitated direct application of PMHS data to ATD development and validation.

Conclusions:

• The introduced anatomically-defined LCS standardize PMHS kinematic data reporting.
• This standardization enhances the comparability of PMHS impact data.
• The LCS are essential for improving the accuracy and reliability of ATD development and validation.