System and method for model-based calculation of blast exposure
Inventors
Przekwas, Andrzej • Garimella, Harsha T. • Zehnbauer, Timothy • Chen, Zhijian • Harrand, Vincent • Gupta, Raj Kumar • Kamimori, Gary • Carr, Walter
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11145418-B2
Publication Date
2021-10-12
Expiration Date
2039-03-18
Abstract
A method of calculating blast injury metrics in a weapon training/IED blast scene can include: reconstructing topological layout of the scene having at least one real subject and a blast source; obtaining anthropometric and posture data for each real subject; obtaining anatomical soldier model for each real subject; identifying real position of at least one real pressure sensor on each soldier during a blast; positioning a virtual sensor on each anatomical soldier model to correspond with real pressure sensor on the real subject; calculating weapon signature of the blast source, the weapon signature including pressure versus time for a blast from the blast source; generating simulated pressure traces on each anatomical soldier model at east virtual pressure sensor; calculating blast injury metrics for the at least one real subject; and generating a report that includes the blast injury metrics for the at least one real subject.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method and system for calculating blast injury metrics in a scene involving at least one real subject and a blast source. It includes reconstructing the topological layout of the scene, obtaining anthropometric and posture data for each real subject, and creating anatomical soldier models for each. Real pressure sensor positions on each soldier during a blast are identified and corresponding virtual sensors are positioned on their anatomical models. A weapon signature representing pressure versus time of the blast is calculated using pressure data from body-worn and ambient pressure sensors. Simulated pressure traces on each anatomical soldier model are generated, followed by calculation of blast injury metrics for each real subject and producing a report with these metrics.
The problem addressed is the difficulty in accurately determining blast loads on humans and specific organs such as the head, torso, ears, and eyes using current wearable blast gauges, especially at lower blast pressures. These devices measure overpressure levels but lack the precision to model spatial and anatomical blast loadings, important for injury prediction and mitigation. Military and law enforcement personnel are frequently exposed to blast waves during training and combat, risking neurocognitive effects, yet existing measurement tools cannot provide detailed injury diagnostics or effective tracking over time.
The disclosed system integrates multiple data streams including pressure sensor recordings, anthropometric data, and scene geometries into an inverse problem solver (IPS) and forward problem solver (FPS) computational framework. IPS uses measured sensor data to reconstruct explosion parameters such as location and charge mass, while FPS simulates blast wave propagation and calculates distributed blast loads on full human body models and anatomical subregions. The system improves injury diagnosis and protective equipment design by generating precise, organ-specific injury criteria and exposure reports potentially useful for medical care and blast event forensics.
Claims Coverage
The claims include multiple independent claims focusing on methods for calculating blast injury metrics, generating anatomical soldier models, and calculating weapon signatures, encompassing scene reconstruction, sensor data processing, and injury metric computation.
Method of calculating blast injury metrics in a scene
This method involves reconstructing the scene topology with real subjects and a blast source; acquiring anthropometric and posture data; generating anatomical soldier models; mapping real pressure sensor positions to virtual sensors on the models; calculating weapon signatures using body-worn and ambient sensor data; generating simulated pressure traces; calculating blast injury metrics including peak overpressure, force, impulses, organ-specific criteria; and reporting these metrics.
Method of generating an anatomical soldier model
This method comprises obtaining a three-dimensional skin model, equipping it with virtual clothing and protective armor to form a virtual soldier model; segmenting the model into anatomical body regions; articulating it into a pose matching a real subject in a blast scene; generating a surface mesh of the articulated model; and generating a report including the model and real subject.
Method of calculating a weapon signature for a blast source of a weapon
This method includes obtaining pressure data from multiple sensors, reconstructing the sensor layout relative to the blast source; placing virtual sensors accordingly; obtaining time-gated pressure trace data; processing this data to compute a blast wave at the source defined as the weapon signature; and producing a report of this weapon signature. It further covers converting non-time-gated data into time-gated data and iteratively adjusting the blast wave kernel to minimize error between virtual and real sensor traces.
The claims collectively cover a comprehensive approach for reconstructing blast events and injury metrics by integrating physical sensor data, anatomical modeling, and computational blast simulation. They provide inventive features encompassing methods for scene reconstruction, sensor data mapping to virtual models, weapon signature calculation, and injury metric reporting.
Stated Advantages
Enables accurate calculation of blast injury metrics on human subjects including organ-specific injury criteria.
Provides detailed reconstruction of explosion parameters such as location and charge mass using sensor data.
Improves injury diagnosis and protective measures by modeling blast loads at anatomical resolution.
Facilitates tracking and analytical reporting of blast exposures for medical, forensic, and protective equipment optimization purposes.
Allows for automated and rapid reconstruction of blast events and blast loading assessments with wearable sensor inputs.
Documented Applications
Use in military and law enforcement training and combat scenarios to estimate blast exposures on soldiers, including breachers, snipers, artillery and mortar crews.
Forensic analysis of improvised explosive device (IED) blast events to determine explosion location, charge mass, and blast effects on humans and equipment.
Medical diagnostics and injury assessment to predict blast-induced traumatic brain injury and other organ specific injuries from blast exposures.
Design and improvement of personal protective equipment by analyzing blast loading distributions over human anatomy.
Monitoring and managing cumulative blast exposures during training exercises to prevent neurocognitive detriments.
Generating weapon-specific 'weapon signatures' or 'blast wave kernels' for various weapons to model blast propagation and loading on human subjects and equipment.
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