Abdominal response to high-speed seatbelt loading.

Unlabelled: This study was conducted to address injury risk due to high-speed loading of the abdomen by a seatbelt during the pretension phase. Indeed, a better coupling of occupants to the structure of the vehicle in frontal impact can be achieved by a strong pretension of the lap belt. However, out of position considerations have to be taken into account in the development of pretension systems.

Laboratory Reconstructions of Real World Frontal Crash Configurations using the Hybrid III and THOR Dummies and PMHS.

Load-limiting belt restraints have been present in French cars since 1995. An accident study showed the greater effectiveness in thorax injury prevention using a 4 kN load limiter belt with an airbag than using a 6 kN load limiter belt without airbag. The criteria for thoracic tolerance used in regulatory testing is the sternal deflection for all restraint types, belt and/or airbag restraint.

Biomechanical evaluation of a bipedicular spinal fixation system: a comparative stiffness test.

Study Design: This biomechanical study using cadaver thoracic spines evaluated the initial stiffness of two different fixation constructs using a new spinal implant: the bipedicular spinal fixation device (BSF).

Objective: To compare the biomechanical stiffness of a new construct using BSF with a regular construct using pedicular and laminar hooks.

Summary Of Background Data: Disadvantages of thoracic posterior implants and developments in in situ rod contouring led to the creation of a new implant for spine deformity surgery that would provide immediate stiffness to preserve spine correction, allow efficient postoperative rehabilitation, and obtain a good fusion rate.