Biomechanics

The science of biomechanics incorporates the combined disciplines of human anatomy and physiology with basic mechanics along with the understanding of human motion to determine the causal relationship of applied forces/accelerations and/or impacts on the nature and severity of physical injury. Considerable background in the nature, severity and prevention of human injury is also extremely valuable in analyzing injuries related to accidents.

Biomechanical modeling tools are typically utilized to assist the engineer and physician in understanding the nature of physical injury. MADYMO provides an effective bioengineering tool which significantly assists in analyzing the causal relationship between applied force, acceleration and/or impact by incorporating validated human surrogates (anthropometric testing devices).

By constructing validated biomechanical models, BioMx Consulting has provided valuable expertise within the areas of injury biomechanics. Injury dynamics and the role of various types of equipment design as well as environmental influences are effectively modeled and tested to confirm injury causation.

Biomechanical analyses utilizing MADYMO tools typically include:

• Low speed and high speed motor vehicle collision
• Rollover accident & occupant ejection
• Seat Belt use & effectiveness
• Seat Belt failure
• Air bag related injury
• Motorcycle & bicycle accident
• Water craft accident
• Industrial accident
• Lifting, pushing & pulling injury
• Vehicle/pedestrian accident
• Sport/recreation accident
• Head injury
• Helmet & related protective head equipment
• Slip/trip & fall injuries

In addition, biomechanical modeling is extremely valuable in understanding pathological joint motion and/or joint forces experienced as a result of trauma. Two and three dimensional joint forces, torques and accelerations are analyzed utilizing MADYMO tools to assess the likelihood of physical injury. Typical areas of analysis have included: spinal injury, concussion, bone fracture, solid and hollow organ trauma, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tear, cumulative trauma disorder, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, and knee meniscus and ligamentous injury.