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Impact Studies - Hip Protectors

The High Speed I-Scan^Ž system is an exciting new tool for studying impact pressure distribution and energy dissipation under hip protectors or other protective devices. The system measures the peak pressure, contact area, and pressure distribution under a hip protector during a "fall," or in a simulated environment.

A wide variety of hip protection devices are available to protect the elderly in the event of a fall. They come in many different shapes and are typically made of plastic and foam or some other shock absorbing materials. Until today, there was no easy way to compare their effectiveness.

A High Speed I-Scan system was used to measure the load distribution under a plastic hip protector. The test results are shown below.

Above, force impact machine
simulates impact on hip protector positioned on an artificial limb.

Click on the image below to launch a sample impact pressure movie.

Tekscan sensor model #5250 was placed between a prototype plastic
hip protector and the hip of an artificial leg. The sensor output at
peak load is shown above in 2-D and 3-D.

Further study could help product designers evaluate and improve their designs. The High Speed I-Scan allows designers to set measurable goals that could combine both minimizing peak pressure with maximizing pressure distribution and product attractiveness in their design criteria.

Applications

Research and development
Comparative testing
Identification of peak pressures
Testing and validation

Benefits

Optimize product performance
Improve shock absorption
Reduce injuries
Design validation
Assist with material selection

*Data and image courtesy of EMPA St. Gallen, Switzerland

For further information, refer to the High Speed I-Scan^Ž system

To Request More Information or a Demonstration- click here