Variability in Body Shape, Superficial Soft Tissue Geometry, and Seatbelt Fit Relative to the Pelvis in Automotive Postures—Methods for Volunteer Data Collection With Open Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Journal article, 2024

Variability in body shape and soft tissue geometry have the potential to affect the body’s interaction with automotive safety systems. In this study, we developed a methodology to capture information on body shape, superficial soft tissue geometry, skeletal geometry, and seatbelt fit relative to the skeleton—in automotive postures—using Open Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Volunteer posture and belt fit were first measured in a vehicle and then reproduced in a custom MRI-safe seat (with an MR-visible seatbelt) placed in an Open MR scanner. Overlapping scans were performed to create registered three-dimensional reconstructions spanning from the thigh to the clavicles. Data were collected with ten volunteers (5 female, 5 male), each in their self-selected driving posture and in a reclined posture. Examination of the MRIs showed that in the males with substantial anterior abdominal adipose tissue, the abdominal adipose tissue tended to overhang the pelvis, narrowing in the region of the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS). For the females, the adipose tissue depth around the lower abdomen and pelvis was more uniform, with a more continuous layer superficial to the ASIS. Across the volunteers, the pelvis rotated rearward by an average of 62% of the change in seatback angle during recline. In some cases, the lap belt drew nearer to the pelvis as the volunteer reclined (as the overhanging folds of adipose tissue stretched). In others, the belt-to-pelvis distance increased as the volunteer reclined. These observations highlight the importance of considering both interdemographic and intrademographic variability when developing tools to assess safety system robustness.

Tissue

Safety engineering

Geometry

Magnetic levitation vehicles

Vehicle safety

Security systems

Automobile bodies

Traffic

Accidents

Author

Jason Forman

University of Virginia

Gabrielle Booth

MEA Forensic Engineers and Scientists

Olivia Mergler

University of Virginia

Sarah Romani

University of British Columbia (UBC)

Honglin Zhang

University of British Columbia (UBC)

Carolyn Roberts

MEA Forensic Engineers & Scientists

Gunter P. Siegmund

MEA Forensic Engineers & Scientists

Bengt Pipkorn

Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Vehicle Safety

Peter A. Cripton

University of British Columbia (UBC)

Journal of Biomechanical Engineering

0148-0731 (ISSN) 1528-8951 (eISSN)

Vol. 146 3 031005

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Areas of Advance

Transport

Subject Categories

Applied Mechanics

Vehicle Engineering

Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging

DOI

10.1115/1.4064477

PubMed

38217111

More information

Latest update

2/20/2024