Abstract
This paper provides a history of automotive safety and a review of biomedical research on human tolerance and occupant protection. It discusses current understandings of body kinematics and impact biomechanics that result in neck injury. Perspective is given on the linkage between mechanical forces that are the cause and physiologic disruptions that are the consequence of spinal cord injury. The public health aspects of injury and disability are discussed as well as the need for injury prevention.
Résumé
Cet article traíte de l'histoire de la sécurité automobile, de la recherche de la tolérance de l'homme aux accidents, et la protection des occupants des vehicules. La comphéhension de la cinétique corporelle et des forces biomécaniques qui sont responsables des lésions cervicales est actualisée. La liaison entre les forces mécaniques en cause et les perturbations physiologiques qui sont la conséquence des lésions rachidiennes est détaillée. Les aspects des lésions et des íncapacítés qui en résultent, ainsi qua leur prévention sont discutés.
Resumen
A partir de 1930 y hasta el presente, se registra una continuada reducción en el riesgo de mortalidad por el uso de automotores. La tasa ha descendido de 15.6 muertos por 100.000.000 millas vehículares en los años 1930s a 3.5 en 1980 y a 2.2 en los comienzos de los 1990s. El presente artículo presenta una historia de seguridad automotriz y una revisión de la investigación biomédica sobre la tolerancia humana y la protección del ocupante; revisa el conocimiento actual sobre la quinemática corporal y el impacto biomecánico que resulta en lesión cervical. Se presenta la perspectiva de la relación entre las fuerzas biomecánicas que son la causa y las alteraciones fisiológicas consecuentes a lesión de la médula espinal, los aspectos de salud pública de la lesión y la incapacidad, así como la necesidad de establecer métodos de prevención del trauma.
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Viano, D.C. Causes and control of spinal cord injury in automotive crashes. World J. Surg. 16, 410–419 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02104440
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02104440