Journal article
Computer simulation to aid the risk assessment of wheelchair and special seating systems used in transport
Journal of Medical Engineering and Technology, Vol.33(8), pp.642-649
2009
Abstract
The crashworthiness of occupied proprietary wheelchairs, which are transported in motor vehicles, is currently assessed by physical crash testing in accordance with ISO 7176-19. If such wheelchairs are modified to meet the needs of the occupant, e.g. the addition of special seating, environmental control systems or life support equipment, then those making the modifications take on the manufacturer's responsibilities, one of these being the assessment of the modified wheelchair's ability to withstand vehicle crash forces. Destructively testing bespoke wheelchair designs is not practical so, currently, the transport-related risk is assessed using best engineering judgement. To improve this process virtual crash testing of the wheelchair and occupant was used. A modified crash criteria from ISO 7176-19 is proposed to enable assessment of the wheelchair's crashworthiness and provide the clinical engineer with an informed judgement of how both wheelchair alone and occupant and wheelchair together will behave in a crash.
Details
- Title
- Computer simulation to aid the risk assessment of wheelchair and special seating systems used in transport
- Authors
- P D Rogers (Author) - University of GlamorganC Gibson (Author) - University of GlamorganSteven Wilcox (Author) - University of GlamorganA Chong (Author) - University of Glamorgan
- Publication details
- Journal of Medical Engineering and Technology, Vol.33(8), pp.642-649
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Date published
- 2009
- DOI
- 10.3109/03091900903151004
- ISSN
- 0309-1902; 1464-522X; 0309-1902
- Organisation Unit
- Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic); University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99513905002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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