Session: 06-11-02: Biotechnology and General Applications
Paper Number: 150475
150475 - Investigating Head Impact Dynamics Using Head Phantom, Industrial Arms and Simulation
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant concern in various real-life scenarios, including sports, vehicle crashes, and blast impacts, where the head can experience rapid acceleration or deceleration. Such forces can lead to brain injuries with complex biomechanical effects. This study investigates the accelerative impact on a 3D-printed head phantom using KUKA industrial arms to generate repeatable, time-varying rapid accelerations and decelerations. By simulating sudden impacts, the resulting accelerations experienced by the head phantom are measured. Commercially available Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors equipped with accelerometers and gyroscopes are integrated into the head phantom to capture detailed acceleration data. These sensors record the acceleration profiles and impact durations, providing precise and comprehensive measurements of the forces experienced during impacts. The high precision of the industrial arms allows for controlled and repeatable impacts, ensuring accurate data collection consistently. The collected data is then used as input for injury risk simulation using finite element analysis. This study contributes to the understanding of TBI by linking macroscopic impact forces to the resulting acceleration data, thereby enhancing the knowledge of head injury mechanisms. Understanding the accelerative forces involved in TBI is crucial for developing better protective equipment and effective mitigation strategies. By simulating realistic impact scenarios, this study provides data that can inform the design of helmets, vehicle safety features, and other protective measures. The goal is to expand the knowledge of TBI dynamics and provide a foundation for future research aimed at reducing the incidence and severity of such injuries. By analyzing the acceleration data in conjunction with finite element models, the study identifies critical thresholds for head injury and provides valuable insights into head injury risk assessment. This information is valuable for improving safety standards and protocols in high-risk environments. Ultimately, this study seeks to deepen the understanding of how rapid impacts affect the brain. By linking the physical forces experienced during an impact to the biological responses, the findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of TBI. This research has the potential to impact the design of safety equipment and protocols, contributing to safer environments in sports, transportation, military and other fields where TBI risks are present. The data generated through this research will also serve as a resource for future studies, enabling ongoing improvements in TBI prevention and treatment strategies. The general aim is to reduce the prevalence and impact of TBI across various settings, enhancing overall public health and safety.
Presenting Author: Mohammad Ibrahim Hossain University of Texas at Arlington
Presenting Author Biography: I am a PhD student at the University of Texas at Arlington, specializing in Mechanical Engineering. My research focuses on the biomechanics of traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a macroscopic perspective.
Authors:
Mohammad Ibrahim Hossain University of Texas at ArlingtonAshfaq Adnan University of Texas at Arlington
Investigating Head Impact Dynamics Using Head Phantom, Industrial Arms and Simulation
Paper Type
Technical Presentation