MIE437H1

Fundamentals of Injury Biomechanics and Prevention

Injury biomechanics uses the principles of mechanical engineering to understand how injuries occur in various body regions and the main approaches to prevent them. In this course, we will review the injury mechanisms at the tissue level and the injury criteria for the lower extremities, upper extremities, head, neck, and trunk. Topics in injury prevention methods through safety devices and safely designing the equipment will be studied as well as engineering design considerations in treating a skeletal injury. The course also covers the computational (finite element analysis, and statistical analysis) and experimental (mechanical testing of crash test dummies, artificial bones, PMHS, and ex-vivo specimens) research methods used in injury and orthopedic biomechanics. Students will have the opportunity to apply their learning in forensic biomechanics case studies, and design and analysis of protective equipment.