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| Head-Supported Mass (HSM): Warfighter Health and Performance |
Army Science and Technology Objective: IV.ME.2001.01
Problem
Head-supported devices (HSDs) will be a critical component of future combat systems. These devices will range in complexity from the basic ballistic and impact protective helmets, to advanced weapon sighting and communication systems. The HSDs will increase the amount of weight supported by the head and neck and may place the soldier at risk of degraded performance or even neck injury. However, the Army’s weapon system developers and health risk assessors lack biomedically-based design standards and health risk assessment methods to support the development of effective HSDs that won’t degrade performance or injure soldiers.
Medical Research Solution
Use retrospective epidemiological studies, biomechanics and injury studies with human cadavers and manikins, and advanced biofidelic neck modeling strategies to develop and validate neck injury criteria.
Products
- Health risk assessment method that includes a validate neck injury prediction model and algorithms that produce a risk assessment code based on predicted injury severity and probability of occurrence.
- Biomedically valid HSD design and usage guidelines for weapon system developers.
Last Update: April 2, 2003