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A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact
Published on: September 21, 2017
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Optimizing Helmet Pad Placement Using Computational Predicted Injury Pattern to Reduce Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
1Materials Science and Technology Division-Code 6300, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
Military Medicine
|January 27, 2021
Summary
Optimizing helmet padding can significantly reduce brain pressure from blast exposures. Configurations with more pads and smaller gaps offer superior protection against repetitive blasts and side impacts.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Protective Equipment Design
- Trauma Research
Background:
- Prior simulated injury data highlighted the need for head protection.
- Understanding blast pressure transmission to the brain is critical for injury prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess and compare helmet pad configurations for blast pressure mitigation.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of different pad layouts in reducing brain pressure transmission.
Main Methods:
- A finite element model of blast loading on the head was utilized.
- Six distinct helmet pad configurations were simulated.
- Brain model biomechanical responses and pressure exposure fractions were calculated.
- Monte Carlo simulations were employed for repetitive blast exposures.
Main Results:
- A 6-Pad Modified configuration showed significant improvement over the 6-Pad Baseline, emphasizing side blast protection.
- All 12-Pad configurations demonstrated high effectiveness in mitigating brain pressure.
- Configurations with more pads and smaller gaps performed better under repetitive blast conditions.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing helmet pad design, including size and placement, can enhance protection.
- Minimizing side blast orientation effects is crucial for effective protection.
- Improved pad configurations can mitigate high-pressure fields from repeated blast exposures.
