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Results for “Head Protective Devices”

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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Mechanisms of snowboarding-related severe head injury: shear strain induced by the opposite-edge phenomenon.

OBJECT: To date, there has been no published study in which the focus was on the mechanisms of head injuries associated with snowboarding. The purpose of this study was to identify these mechanisms. METHODS: The patient population consisted of 38 consecutive patients with snowboarding-related major head injuries who were treated at two hospitals in Japan, where for years many winter sports injuries have been treated. The skill level of the snowboarder, the cause of the accident, the direction of the fall, the site of impact to the head, and the condition of the ski slope were examined. The injuries were classified as coup, contrecoup, or shear injuries. The predominant features of snowboarding-related major head injuries included: falling backward (68% of cases), occipital impact (66% of cases), a gentle or moderate ski slope (76% of cases), and inertial injury (76% of cases [shear injury in 68% and contrecoup injury in 8% of the patients]). Acute subdural hematoma frequently occurred after a patient fell on the slope (p = 0.025), fell backward (p = 0.0014), or received an occipital impact (p = 0.0064). Subcortical hemorrhagic contusions frequently occurred after the patient fell during a jump (p = 0.0488), received a temporal impact (p = 0.0404), or fell on the jump platform (p = 0.0075). Shear injury frequently occurred after a fall that occurred during a jump or after simple falls on the ski slope, and contact injury was frequently seen after a collision (p = 0.0441). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of severe head injuries associated with snowboarding that occur after a simple fall on the slope are believed to involve the opposite-edge phenomenon, which results from a fall backward on a gentle or moderate slope causing occipital impact. The use of a device to protect the occiput is proposed to reduce head injuries associated with snowboarding.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Evaluation of integrated night vision goggle (NVG) helmets under sustained +Gz.

Three integrated night vision goggle (NVG) helmets from different manufacturers were evaluated under high-G conditions. Structural and operational integrity, as well as neck forces in pounds, were determined via instrumented manikin testing before human exposure with the helmets during sustained +Gz. Results of the manikin testing showed that the helmets could withstand the rigors of high-G, and that predicted forces (using helmet weights and centers-of-gravity) matched those obtained experimentally from load cells in the x-axis of the manikin's neck. After manikin testing, 10 subjects were randomly exposed to four different high-G profiles on the Dynamic Environmental Simulator (DES) man-rated centrifuge located at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH: gradual onset to +8 Gz, a simulated aerial combat maneuver (SACM) profile, and two +4 Gz profiles, one with the mask dangling from the helmet and the other with the mask removed. Fit assessments were conducted before high-G exposure, and one helmet was affected significantly by failure of fit. The degree of migration of the NVG intensified image away from the eyes was affected most by the following helmet characteristics: design of the nape strap, size of the NVG image provided by each helmet system, goodness of helmet fit, and the use of the mask as a stabilizer. Although neck strength of each subject was measured and compared to the degree of head stability while wearing each helmet, no effects were found. However, subjects were not allowed to perform fast, high-amplitude head movements in the centrifuge for safety reasons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Protection of the head and eyes in forestry work.

The helmet used in forestry work is the same as that in industrial use. The eye protector, which is usually a face shield made from wire mesh, is fastened to the helmet. The aim of the present study was the clarification of the frequency of use of, the protection afforded by, and the need for improvement in the helmet and eye protector. A questionnaire, an interview, observations, accident and near-accident reports, and user and laboratory tests were used for this purpose. Eighty-eight percent of loggers always use a helmet, and 32% an eye protector. According to official statistics and the questionnaire, in 1980, 8 to 15 of every 100 accidents in logging injured the head or eyes. Loggers reported that the helmet was too hot in summer and too cold in winter. The low utilization rate for eye protectors is partly explained by design defects. The protectors become frosted in the winter; there is poor visibility through the protectors when it rains or is dark; the protectors cause glare in sunshine. Product development seems to be necessary so that the helmet and eye protector can better fulfill the special requirements of forestry work.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1993

Warning signal detection and the acoustic environment of the motorcyclist.

A two-part study was undertaken to investigate warning signal detection by motorcyclists. First the acoustic environment was established for both the helmeted and bareheaded rider between speeds of 0 and 100 mph. For the helmeted rider it was found that below 20 mph vehicle noise was dominant and between 20 and 40 mph there was a variable contribution from both vehicle and wind noise. At 40 mph wind noise became the dominant sound source and increased linearly with the log10 of speed from 90 dB(A) to reach 112 dB(A) at 100 mph. Sound levels were consistently 18 dB(A) greater for the bareheaded rider once above 10 mph, and followed a similar pattern. Recordings of these sounds were sampled into an Amiga computer. Suitable sound combinations were played back at levels appropriate to speed to recreate the rider's acoustic environment at differing speeds. The minimum detection level (MDL) of four traffic warning signals was then measured in 19 normal hearing subjects for three test conditions: no helmet, helmet and helmet with earplugs. The MDL for all warning signals was lowest with a crash helmet in place for sound levels equivalent to speeds of 30 mph or less. The addition of earplugs led to significant reductions in MDLs at sound levels equivalent to speeds of 40 mph, or greater. Signal detection was poorest at all speeds greater than 0 mph, when bareheaded. We would conclude that earplugs are not required for motorcyclists in the urban environment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1989

How could canal-pluggings result in intensive direction changing type of positional nystagmus?

The objectives of this study in Rhesus monkeys is to observe the sequences which appear in the oculo-spinal-motor system after selected semicircular canals had been plugged. The left anterior and the right posterior canals in a monkey "LARP", the left anterior and posterior canals in "LALP", and the left lateral canal in "LL" were plugged under intubation general anesthesia. Three-dimensional eye recordings were performed, using two scleral coils. Behavior, posture, and vestibulo-ocular reflex were studied. Compensation was established in the light within 2 days. In darkness, no spontaneous nystagmus was recorded in the sitting position. The monkey "LALP" developed marked positional nystagmus. When the head position was changed up to 360 degrees in 15 degrees steps, horizontal, vertical and torsional eye movements showed remarkable changes. Spontaneous direction changing nystagmus in darkness was also recorded in "LALP". To conclude, direction changing positional nystagmus, which was seen for several months after the canal plugging, was difficult to explain by the damage to the adjacent ampullary and/or otolithic endorgans, but may be explained by the limited otolithic compensation in the earth parallel plane for the defective dynamic canal inputs. These observations and conclusions were from experiments using three monkeys only and should still be confirmed in more extended experiments.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

An investigation into the effect of protective devices on the dose to radiosensitive organs in the head and neck.

A series of experiments were performed to determine the dose reduction afforded to radiosensitive organs in the head and neck by various protective devices. These included spectacles with plastic, standard glass, photochromic and lead-glass lenses, a thyroid collar and a lead-acrylic face mask. The measurements were performed using an anthropomorphic phantom loaded with lithium fluoride thermoluminescent dosemeters, in conditions realistic of clinical practice. Irradiations were performed using scattered radiation produced by a pelvic phantom, for X-ray beams generated at 80 kVp and 110 KVp. It was found that the reduction in dose to the lens of the eye ranged between 0% and 97%, whilst the dose to the thyroid and oesophagus was reduced by between 76% and 97%, and was dependent on the protective device and tube potential employed. A reduction in brain dose of up to 81% was also measured, for the lead-acrylic face mask. Also presented is the ratio of organ dose to dose to the bridge of the nose for thyroid, oesophagus, brain and sinuses, as measured for the case of no head or neck protection.

Brain↗
PubMed2006

Factors associated with seatbelt, helmet, and child safety seat use in a spanish high-risk injury area.

BACKGROUND: Focus of motor vehicle crashes death prevention is actually placed on preinjury period. The purpose of this study was to estimate predictors of using seatbelts, helmet and children safety seats. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional survey was analyzed. The behaviors were explored as dichotomous variables. Multivariate logistic regression models are proposed to predict them. RESULTS: The educational level and community size measured by number of inhabitants were directly associated with all the behaviors studied. Females were more likely than males to use seatbelts and less likely to ride a motorcycle. Seatbelt and helmet use increased with age. Those exposed to both traffic in the city and on the road were more likely to use seatbelt and helmet than those only exposed in the city. Other variables included in any of the models were: being married or living with a partner, health-related variables as smoking habit, wealth-related variables as home ownership, and an ecological measure of wealth that is the average family income of the community. CONCLUSIONS: Protective device use is associated with sociodemographic, health, and wealth-related variables, and type of exposure to traffic. There are also ecological variables associated with the behaviors studied. These findings should be helpful for planning safer habits promotion programs. Further research, from the discourse analysis of people with different risk profile, should be performed to improve the understanding of the use of protective devices.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2005

Football equipment design affects face mask removal efficiency.

BACKGROUND: Researchers have investigated the performance of face mask removal tools for spine injury management in football but not the effects of football equipment design. HYPOTHESES: Various styles or designs of football helmet equipment (helmets, face masks, loop straps) affect face mask removal efficiency. A cordless screwdriver performs more efficiently than do cutting tools. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Nineteen certified athletic trainers were randomly assigned to group 1 (cordless screwdriver and the FM Extractor) or group 2 (cordless screwdriver and the Trainer's Angel). Subjects randomly performed face mask removal for 6 conditions composed of helmet (3), face mask (3), and loop strap (5) combinations. Time, head movement, perceived difficulty, and success rates were measured. RESULTS: Multiple significant differences were found in time, movement, and perceived difficulty between the 6 helmet equipment conditions. The Shockblocker loop strap was consistently superior in all variables regardless of the tool used or the helmet it was attached to. The cordless screwdriver created less movement (mean range from any one plane, 2.8 degrees -13.3 degrees ), was faster (mean range, 42.1-68.8 seconds), and was less difficult (mean rating of perceived exertion range, 1.4-2.9) compared to cutting tools (ranges, 4.4 degrees -18.4 degrees in any one plane, 71-174 seconds, rating of perceived exertion, 2.8-7.7). Trial failure was more common with cutting tools than with the screwdriver. CONCLUSION: Differences in football helmet equipment affect face mask removal. The cordless screwdriver is more efficient than the FM Extractor and Trainer's Angel. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Professionals responsible for the care of football athletes must be knowledgeable in the types of equipment used and the best option available for effective airway access.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Analysis of fatal injuries to motorcyclists by helmet type.

To clarify the characteristics of injuries of motorcyclists dying in accidents in relation to helmet type, we retrospectively analyzed forensic autopsies of 36 helmeted motorcycle riders. The presence of major injuries and injury severity were evaluated with the injury severity score and the 1990 revision of the Abbreviated Injury Scale. Persons with open-face helmets (19 cases) were significantly more likely to have sustained severe head and neck injuries, especially brain contusions, than were persons with full-face helmets (17 cases). Furthermore, major injuries of the chest or abdomen, rib fractures, lung injuries, and liver injuries were each present in more than one quarter of all cases (26.3% to 70.6%), but their prevalences did not differ significantly between riders with different types of helmet. Because many types of head and neck injuries cannot be prevented and fatal chest and abdominal injuries occur despite the use of full-face helmets, more effective helmets and devices for protecting the chest and abdomen are needed to decrease deaths from motorcycle accidents.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2004

Speed and accuracy of head- and eye-based aiming systems at high vertical acceleration.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of using a head tracker in a fast jet to aim weapons and control sensor direction have been amply demonstrated, but head direction is difficult to control at high G. An experiment was conducted to assess whether aiming using the eye, rather than the head, might be advantageous. METHODS: A centrifuge provided sustained accelerations of up to 8 Gz. Participating aircrew were asked to point at static targets using head- or eye-aiming, maintain the acquisition while the target was lit, and then transfer to the next target as quickly as possible. A helmet-mounted scene camera recorded the subject's view of the target board. A laser mounted by the scene camera was used for head-aiming and to determine head direction. The eye tracker camera and illuminator were also helmet-mounted. The eye and scene images were recorded and analyzed off-line. RESULTS: Eye-aiming acquisition times and accuracy were affected only slightly by Gz; however, both head-aiming speed and accuracy deteriorated as Gz increased. Eye-aiming was substantially faster than head-aiming at all Gz levels, but head-aiming was more accurate under these experimental conditions. Subjective ratings supported the objective data. A majority of subjects preferred eye to head as an aiming mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: Eye-aiming was faster and easier to use than head-aiming at all Gz levels, and particularly at high Gz.

Acceleration↗
PubMed1989

Head injuries in children and implications for their prevention.

Between October 1986 and September 1987, 7,967 children presented to the emergency department of the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the first time with injuries. Head injuries had been sustained by 3,187 (40%). The data was collected by use of a special form distributed by the nursing staff and completed by parents and medical staff. Information was obtained about the age and sex of the patients, the nature of the injury, the site of occurrence, the activity at that time, and the context in which it took place. The use, or otherwise, of safety devices was also recorded. Injury severity was classified as follows: minor treated in casualty department (80.7%); moderate, admitted to general ward (17.1%); severe, admitted to intensive care (2.2%). Examination of the data showed certain recurring problems, ie, surfaces onto which children fell, bicycles, playgrounds, sporting injuries, vehicle accidents, inadequate supervision. Implications for prevention are (1) improved home design, particularly flooring and furniture; (2) better planning of home surroundings, play areas, and equipment; (3) determination of age at which children are capable of riding bicycles and coping with traffic; (4) extension and enforcement of restraint regulations to protect children in vehicles; (5) better supervision of children engaged in sports and recreational activities, and use of safety devices; (6) increased community awareness of the frequency of head injuries, and knowledge of how the numbers can be reduced and the severity diminished; and (7) improved knowledge of child growth and development, and better supervision by all care-givers.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1996

Factors influencing use of bicycle helmets among undergraduate students.

Undergraduate bicyclists' attitudes toward using helmets were surveyed, using a 66-item questionnaire. The authors identified a series of factors that would increase the likelihood of students' using the protective devices and suggest interventions to be considered in developing programs to decrease morbidity and mortality in the bicycle-riding population.

Attitude↗