Ma Xin, Wang Dongmei, Wang Yutan, Wang Fang, Qu Aili
School of Mechanical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, Ningxia, China.
School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
Ann Biomed Eng. 2025 Sep 4. doi: 10.1007/s10439-025-03839-3.
To investigate injury mechanisms and vulnerable regions for severe pulmonary contusion (PC) in astronauts during off-nominal capsule landings, establishing critical injury thresholds.
Six distinct high-intensity landing scenarios (≤52.1 g) were simulated using a drop-tower test stand and a Hybrid III anthropometric test device(ATD). The Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS) finite element model (FEM) was utilized to simulate thorax-pulmonary dynamics at a 40° supine posture. Injury risk was assessed using the Viscous Criterion (VC), strain/strain-rate thresholds, and Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) criteria.
At 37.1 g impact (VC 0.98 m/s), the probability of life-threatening AIS 4 + PC surged to 25%, concurrent with a 19.5% probability of 3 + rib fractures(RF). The medial segment of the right middle lobe (S5) was the most severely affected region, primarily due to compression by the costal arch and liver. Injury to the right lung was more severe compared to the left, and fractures of the 1st, 9th, and 10th ribs exacerbated the lung injury.
This study defines 37.1 g as the critical threshold for AIS 4 + thoraco-pulmonary trauma, elucidating the S5 compression mechanism and its association with high-risk RFs (1st, 9th, 10th). These findings provide a biomechanical foundation for enhancing astronaut survival protocols, enabling rapid post-impact triage, targeted pulmonary intervention (focus right S5 segment), and the design of energy-absorbing countermeasures to mitigate visceral compression.
研究航天员在非标称返回舱着陆过程中发生严重肺挫伤(PC)的损伤机制和易损区域,确定关键损伤阈值。
使用落塔试验台和Hybrid III人体测量试验装置(ATD)模拟六种不同的高强度着陆场景(≤52.1g)。利用安全全人类模型(THUMS)有限元模型(FEM)模拟40°仰卧姿势下的胸部-肺部动力学。使用粘性准则(VC)、应变/应变率阈值和简略损伤量表(AIS)标准评估损伤风险。
在37.1g冲击(VC为0.98m/s)时,危及生命的AIS 4+级PC的概率飙升至25%,同时伴有19.5%的3+级肋骨骨折(RF)概率。右中叶内侧段(S5)是受影响最严重的区域,主要是由于受到肋弓和肝脏的挤压。右肺损伤比左肺更严重,第1、9和10肋骨折加剧了肺损伤。
本研究将37.1g定义为AIS 4+级胸肺创伤的关键阈值,阐明了S5段的挤压机制及其与高风险RF(第1、9、10肋)的关联。这些发现为加强航天员生存预案提供了生物力学基础,有助于撞击后快速分诊、针对性的肺部干预(聚焦于右S5段)以及设计能量吸收对策以减轻内脏挤压。