Citation

Viano DC, Smrcka J, Jedrzejczak E, Deng B, Kempf P, Pearlman M. J. Traffic Med. 1998; 26(3-4): 125-138.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A pregnancy insert was developed for the 5th percentile Hybrid III female dummy. It consists of a urethane 'uterus'-abdomen, ellipsoidal 'amniotic-fluid' gel, and simulated 28-32 week fetus. Fetal head/chest acceleration and load on the uterus are measured. Thirty-nine Hyge sled tests simulated restraint conditions at 4.511.2 m/s. In series I, fetal and maternal responses for the recommended belt placement were compared to improper use of the lap-shoulder belts. In series II, airbag restraint conditions were simulated. Wearing the lap belt over the 'uterus' or shoulder belt behind the back caused more than a three-fold increase in force on the uterus in comparison to proper belt use. Airbags further lowered forces on the 'uterus,' but 'out-of-position' deployments caused high fetal acceleration. Proper use of the lap-shoulder belt and airbag appears to reduce the likelihood of crash injury to the unborn baby and mother.