“Pregnant” computer crash test models have it easy – no morning sickness or labor pains or worries about their butts looking too big in those maternity jeans, because they’re always seated. Then again, going through crash simulations over and over again can’t be any fun. At least it serves a worthy purpose.
Ford Motor Company is working with Virginia Tech and Wake Forest University researchers in the development of a computer-aided model that could be used to measure how crash forces affect pregnant women.
The effort builds on 15 years of Ford research that helped lead to one of the first adult whole body computerized crash models. These virtual crash models combine advanced computer simulations and medical research to virtually test how the human body – including the skeletal structure, internal organs and even the brain – are affected by crash forces.
The nearly complete three-year Ford-funded research project is now expected to provide Ford’s safety researchers with important data about pregnant women and their developing babies, such as abdominal shape and tissue properties. The data, collected by the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering, will help in the continuing development of the realistic “pregnant” human body model for virtual crash test simulation.
The human body model advantage
Computerized human body models, which simulate human beings in minute detail, are designed to help safety researchers better understand crash-related injuries. Ford’s research in this area, which has been ongoing for more than 15 years, already has led to the creation of adult models of a seated and standing average-size male. Dr. Jesse Ruan, passive safety expert in Ford’s Research and Engineering, says development of computerized models for other size vehicle occupants is under consideration.
These virtual models simulate regions of the body such as the head, neck, rib cage, abdomen, thoracic and lumbar spine, pelvis, and the upper and lower extremities, as well as the internal organs of the chest and abdomen. The models contain detailed representations of the bones and soft tissues of the human body.
Development of virtual human body models also may lead to the development of more lifelike crash dummies.
Pregnant women and seat belts
Ford also is launching a new effort to continue emphasizing proper seat belt usage to help address the 170,000 car crashes a year in the United States involving pregnant women.
Starting in 2010, owner’s manuals for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury will include an explanation and graphic illustration for how pregnant women should wear seat belts – the No. 1 life-saving auto safety feature.
Pregnant women should always ride and drive with the seatback upright and the seat belt properly fastened. The lap belt, or that portion of a combination lap-and-shoulder belt, should be positioned low across the hips and worn as tight as comfort will allow. The shoulder belt should be positioned to cross the middle of the shoulder and middle of the chest.
Junell Nichols, who teaches trauma and advanced life-support courses to nurses and physicians in Longview, Texas, suggested Ford provide safety recommendations for pregnant women through www.fordnewideas.com – a Web site established to solicit suggestions from the public.
For additional information, see the Safety Advice Card at Fordowner.com.
Quotes
“This is another example of how industry and academia can work together to conduct important safety research.”
– Dr. Stefan Duma, Head of Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering
“Traditional crash dummies are very important, but the computerized human models allow us to see underneath the skin inside the body during a crash. Not all virtual models are the same. We chose to work with Virginia Tech and Wake Forest because we believe they better understand the biomechanics of pregnant women and could translate that into effective computer crash test models.”
– Dr. Stephen Rouhana, Senior Technical Leader, Ford Passive Safety Research and Advanced Engineering
“We developed new methods and techniques for this project in order to collect detailed internal pregnant geometry from MRI and CT scans, including accurate size and location of the uterus, placenta and fetus,”
– Dr. Joel Stitzel, program leader and director of the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University Center for Injury Biomechanics.
