Disability Aids: Hip Protector

Medical Devices Testing
The impact resistance of a hip protector is
evaluated using a Dynatup 9250 HV impact test system.
The impact resistance of a hip protector is evaluated using a Dynatup 9250 HV impact test system.

The Challenge

Accidental falls are a leading cause of injury among elderly people. Specifically, hip fractures are the largest single injury resulting from falls in patients aged 65 to 74 years. Biomechanical analysis shows that maximum force on the hip when falling approaches three times body weight. This can be reduced by about a third using a protective device. The device must be able to absorb and dissipate impact energy and be comfortable enough to wear on a daily basis.

Our Solution

Evaluation of the performance of a hip protector is conducted by simulating a fall using an impact test system. By specifying crosshead weight, drop height, velocity and acceleration, test configurations can be designed to accurately reproduce forces produced during a fall.

The Dynatup® 9250 HV impact testing system allows for all of these configurations, and the Impulse™ machine control and data acquisition system simplifies measurements of maximum load, time to max load, time to failure, total time, impact energy and energy to max load. Results from such tests assist researchers and engineers in the design of protective devices, and help physicians properly prescribe these devices to prevent patient injury.

Other Medical Devices

Biomedical Testing: Medical Devices - Disability Aids: Hip Protector
Related Information