Surrogate Head Model with EMF Displacement Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current physical models of the human head, particularly those used to simulate brain-skull displacement due to explosive, ballistic, or automotive crash events, lack accurate representation of brain tissue and do not effectively measure non-penetrating head injuries caused by blast exposure, as they often do not include a brain simulant material.
Innovation Solution
A physical model with a housing simulating a human skull and a gelatinous material that mimics brain tissue, equipped with displacement sensors and pressure sensors, is developed to measure brain-skull displacement. This model includes magnetic field generators and electromagnetic force-based displacement sensors to accurately determine position, orientation, and displacement, and a signal processor to separate signals into component magnitudes, correlating them with the position and orientation of the displacement sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If physical models use cast aluminum skull and vinyl rubber exterior skin to replicate rigid body head kinematics, then mass characteristics and basic anthropometry are improved, but transmission and reflection of blast wave become dissimilar to human head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials including aluminum alloy for the skull structure combined with silicone rubber brain simulant material. This composite approach allows the model to simultaneously achieve accurate external anthropometry and realistic blast wave transmission/reflection characteristics, resolving the contradiction between geometric accuracy and blast response fidelity.
2Measurement precision
If physical models use neutral density accelerometers and pressure transducers attached to skull to measure acceleration and pressure, then measurement capability is improved, but direct measurement of brain-skull displacement is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement systems (accelerometers and pressure transducers) with electromagnetic field-based measurement technology. Electromagnetic force-based displacement sensors utilize electromagnetic induction to directly measure brain-skull displacement, providing direct measurement capability that mechanical systems cannot achieve.
3Measurement precision
If physical models use high speed photography to capture deformation of grid in gel, then displacement and strain computation is improved, but direct measurement of brain tissue displacement is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical measurement systems (high speed photography) with direct electromagnetic sensing. The electromagnetic force-based displacement sensors provide direct electrical signals representing brain-skull displacement, eliminating the need for complex optical capture and computational image analysis while achieving more direct and accurate measurement.
4Measurement precision
If physical models use array of neutral density targets in brain regions with suspension test fixture, then local brain displacement measurement is improved, but testing of intact head structures is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement function from previous complex setups. By embedding electromagnetic displacement sensors directly within the brain simulant material, the system achieves local brain displacement measurement without requiring removal of brain tissue or use of suspension fixtures, thereby maintaining complete head structure integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The model provides precise measurements of brain-skull displacement and pressure changes, enabling better understanding and prediction of injury patterns from blast and crash events, improving the assessment of protective measures and personal protection concepts.
Implementation Method 1
each including a plurality of inductive coils oriented with respect to a corresponding one of multiple directions, each coil to generate an electric signal in response to the magnetic fields of the plurality of generators
Implementation Method 2
a gelatinous material that mimics brain tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A human surrogate head model (HSHM) to measure brain/skull displacement due to a physical force, such as due to an explosive, ballistic, or automotive crash type of event. A HSHM may include a plurality of magnetic field generators positioned stationary relative to a HSHM skull, each to generate a magnetic field oriented with respect to a corresponding one of multiple directions. The HSHM may include one or more electromagnetic force (EMF)-based displacement sensors, each of which may include three inductive coils oriented orthogonally with respect to one another and co-aligned about a central point. A signal processor may be implemented to separate signals generated by each coil of each EMF-based displacement sensor into a plurality of component magnitudes, each attributable to a corresponding one of the magnetic fields. A computer-implemented model may be implemented to correlate between the component magnitudes and a corresponding position and orientation of the displacement sensor.