A finite element approach and experiments to assess the effectiveness of hip protectors

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Schmitt, K.-U.^{a; *} | Spierings, A.B.^b | Derler, S.^b

Affiliations: [a] Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and University of Zurich, Switzerland | [b] Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Testing and Research (EMPA), St. Gallen, Switzerland

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Dr. Kai-Uwe Schmitt, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and University of Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland. Tel.: +41 1 6327536; Fax: +41 1 6321193; E-mail: schmitt@biomed.ee.ethz.ch.

Abstract: The potential of hip protectors to prevent femur fracture is addressed in this study. A mechanical model of the human hip was developed and used to perform impact tests with different types of hip protectors. In addition a finite element model of the test device was established which allows simulations of the impact tests. The different principles of energy-shunting systems and energy-absorbing systems were demonstrated. Furthermore misplacement of a hip protector can be simulated. Hence the FE model was shown to be a suitable tool for future hip protector design.

DOI: 10.3233/THC-2004-12105

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 43-49, 2004