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Goutnik M, Goeckeritz J, Sabetta Z, Curry T, Willman M, Willman J, Thomas TC, Lucke-Wold B. Neurotrauma Prevention Review: Improving Helmet Design and Implementation. BIOMECHANICS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 2:500-512. [PMID: 36185779 PMCID: PMC9521172 DOI: 10.3390/biomechanics2040039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Neurotrauma continues to contribute to significant mortality and disability. The need for better protective equipment is apparent. This review focuses on improved helmet design and the necessity for continued research. We start by highlighting current innovations in helmet design for sport and subsequent utilization in the lay community for construction. The current standards by sport and organization are summarized. We then address current standards within the military environment. The pathophysiology is discussed with emphasis on how helmets provide protection. As innovative designs emerge, protection against secondary injury becomes apparent. Much research is needed, but this focused paper is intended to serve as a catalyst for improvement in helmet design and implementation to provide more efficient and reliable neuroprotection across broad arenas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Goutnik
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA
| | - Joel Goeckeritz
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA
| | - Zackary Sabetta
- College of Medicine-Phoenix, University of Arizona, Child Health, Phoenix, AZ 85721, USA
- BARROW Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
| | - Tala Curry
- College of Medicine-Phoenix, University of Arizona, Child Health, Phoenix, AZ 85721, USA
- BARROW Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
| | - Matthew Willman
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA
| | - Jonathan Willman
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA
| | - Theresa Currier Thomas
- College of Medicine-Phoenix, University of Arizona, Child Health, Phoenix, AZ 85721, USA
- BARROW Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- Phoenix VA Healthcare System, Phoenix, AZ 85012, USA
| | - Brandon Lucke-Wold
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA
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Evaluation of the Fall Protection of Type I Industrial Helmets. Ann Biomed Eng 2022; 50:1565-1578. [PMID: 35124769 PMCID: PMC9885975 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-022-02922-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The performance of Type I industrial helmets for fall protection is not required to be tested in standardized tests. The current study analyzed the fall protection performance of Type I industrial helmets and evaluated if the use of a chin strap and the suspension system tightness have any effect on protection performance. Head impact tests were performed using an instrumented manikin. There were 12 combinations of test conditions: with or without chin strap usage, three levels of suspension system tightness, and two impact surfaces. Four representative helmet models (two basic and two advanced models) were selected for the study. Impact tests without a helmet under all other applicable test conditions were used as a control group. There were four replicates for each test condition-a total of 192 impact tests with helmets and eight impact tests for the control group. The peak acceleration and the calculated head impact criteria (HIC) were used to evaluate shock absorption performance of the helmets. The results showed that all four helmet models demonstrated excellent performance for fall protection compared to the barehead control group. The fall protection performance of the advanced helmet models was substantially better than the basic helmet models. However, the effects of the use of chin straps and suspension system tightness on the helmets' fall protection performance were statistically not significant.
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The Influence of Hard Hat Design Features on Head Acceleration Attenuation. J Appl Biomech 2021; 37:80-86. [PMID: 33373975 DOI: 10.1123/jab.2020-0182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the performance of 6 commercially available hard hat designs-differentiated by shell design, number of suspension points, and suspension tightening system-in regard to their ability to attenuate accelerations during vertical impacts to the head. Tests were conducted with impactor materials of steel, wood, and lead shot (resembling commonly seen materials in a construction site), weighing 1.8 and 3.6 kg and dropped from 1.83 m onto a Hybrid III head/neck assembly. All hard hats appreciably reduced head acceleration to the unprotected condition. However, neither the addition of extra suspension points nor variations in suspension tightening mechanism appreciably influenced performance. Therefore, these results indicate that additional features available in current hard hat designs do not improve protective capacity as related to head acceleration metrics.
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Wu JZ, Pan CS, Ronaghi M, Wimer BM, Reischl U. Application of polyethylene air-bubble cushions to improve the shock absorption performance of Type I construction helmets for repeated impacts. Biomed Mater Eng 2021; 32:1-14. [PMID: 33252060 DOI: 10.3233/bme-201132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of helmets was considered to be one of the important prevention strategies employed on construction sites. The shock absorption performance of a construction (or industrial) helmet is its most important performance parameter. Industrial helmets will experience cumulative structural damage when being impacted repeatedly with impact magnitudes greater than its endurance limit. OBJECTIVE The current study is to test if the shock absorption performance of Type I construction helmets subjected to repeated impacts can be improved by applying polyethylene air-bubble cushions to the helmet suspension system. METHODS Drop impact tests were performed using a commercial drop tower test machine following the ANSI Z89.1 Type I drop impact protocol. Typical off-the-shelf Type I construction helmets were evaluated in the study. A 5 mm thick air-bubble cushioning liner was placed between the headform and the helmet to be tested. Helmets were impacted ten times at different drop heights from 0.61 to 1.73 m. The effects of the air-bubble cushioning liner on the helmets' shock absorption performance were evaluated by comparing the peak transmitted forces collected from the original off-the-shelf helmet samples to the helmets equipped with air-bubble cushioning liners. RESULTS Our results showed that a typical Type I construction helmet can be subjected to repeated impacts with a magnitude less than 22 J (corresponding to a drop height 0.61 m) without compromising its shock absorption performance. In comparison, the same construction helmet, when equipped with an air-bubble cushioning liner, can be subjected to repeated impacts of a magnitude of 54 J (corresponding to a drop height 1.52 m) without compromising its shock absorption performance. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the helmet's shock absorbing endurance limit has been increased by 145% with addition of an air-bubble cushioning liner.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Z Wu
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Christopher S Pan
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Mahmood Ronaghi
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Bryan M Wimer
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
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