How it Works

En route care and prehospital transport is the transfer of injured patients from the point of injury to a more robust combat support hospital. Severe vibrations and repeated shocks can transfer to the supine patients during ground and aerial medical transport through the contact surfaces of the transport system.

These severe motions can generate involuntary body motions and can cause discomfort, pain, and secondary injuries that can increase patients' morbidity and mortality. The objective of this research is to ergonomically develop/modify patient transport systems to mitigate the adverse effects of motions that can reach the patient’s body during transport.

 

Behind the Research

Salam Rahmatalla

Salam Rahmatalla, PhD
Director, 3D Bio-Motion Research Lab
Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Professor, Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering
Email: salam-rahmatalla@uiowa.edu
Phone: (319) 335-5657

Salam Rahmatalla is a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering. He directs the 3D Bio-Motion Research Lab (3DBMRL) at the Iowa Technology Institute. His current research interests include multi-body dynamics, whole body vibration, and structural health monitoring.