The aim of this study is to develop a postlaryngectomy airway climate explorer (ACE) for assessment of intratracheal temperature and humidity and of influence of heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs). Engineering goals were within-device condensation prevention and fast response time characteristics. The ACE consists of a small diameter, heated air-sampling catheter connected to a heated sensor house, containing a humidity sensor. Air is sucked through the catheter by a controlled-flow pump. Validation was performed in a climate chamber using a calibrated reference sensor and in a two-flow system. Additionally, the analyser was tested in vivo. Over the clinically relevant range of humidity values (5-42 mg H 2 O/l air) the sensor output highly correlates with the reference sensor readings (R 2 > 0.99). The 1-1/e response times are all <0.5 s. A first in vivo pilot measurement was successful. The newly developed, verified, fastresponding ACE is suitable for postlaryngectomy airway climate assessment.

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of lower limb surrogates to predict injury due to floor/foot plate impact in military vehicles during anti-vehicular land mine explosions. Testing was conducted using two loading conditions simulated to represent those conditions created in the field. The lower condition was represented by a 24-kg mass impactor with a velocity of 4.7 m/s. The higher loading condition was represented by a 37-kg mass impactor with a velocity of 8.3 m/s. Two biomechanical surrogates were evaluated using the loading conditions: 50th percentile Hybrid III foot/ankle and Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint THOR-Lx. Comparisons of the force-time response were made to established corridors. Results show a better correlation to the corridors with the THOR-Lx; however, future improvements to the THOR-Lx are recommended.

Abstract.Occupant safety has a high priority in peacekeeping military operations. During an anti tank (AT) mine detonation under a vehicle, the global and local impulse load threaten occupant safety. The proximity of the occupant's feet to the vehicle floor (through direct contact, or via pedals/foot rests) means that lower leg injuries occur frequently in AT mine strikes. Analysis of these injuries has proceeded with surrogate legs originally developed for automotive impacts. However, none of these has been validated for the loading conditions present in a mine strike. Recently, a combined experimental and numerical approach was used to obtain greater confidence in the injury assessment method with lower leg surrogates used in AT mine strike tests. Blast tests were performed using the standard Hybrid III dummy to study the differences between the standard Denton leg and the Thor lower leg model (Thor-Lx).Computational models of the test setups were created using a commercial multi-body code (Madymo) to investigate whether virtual testing could be used for future parameter studies in vehicle design. The current study focused on the validation of the Hybrid III Denton leg. The simulations showed good correspondence to the experimental data and are therefore suitable for use in injury assessment.

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