Faculty Collaboration Database

Mechanisms and timing of injury to the thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine in simulated underbody blast PMHS impact tests. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021 Apr;116:104271

Date

02/01/2021

Pubmed ID

33517100

DOI

10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.104271

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85100062886 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   7 Citations

Abstract

During an underbody blast (UBB) event, mounted occupants are exposed to high rate loading of the spine via the pelvis. The objective of this study was to simulate UBB loading conditions and examine mechanisms of injury in the thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine. Fourteen instrumented, whole-body, postmortem human subject (PMHS) experiments were performed using the WSU-decelerative horizontal sled system. The specimens were positioned supine on a decelerative sled, which then impacted an energy absorbing system mounted to a concrete barrier. Variables included the peak velocity and time-to-peak velocity for seat and floor, and the presence or absence of personal protective equipment (PPE) and seat padding. Post-test CT scans and autopsies were performed to identify the presence and severity of injuries. Acceleration and angular rate data collected at vertebra T1, T5, T8, T12, and S1 were used to assess injury timing and mechanisms. Additionally, joint time-frequency analysis (JTFA) of the spinal Z acceleration of the sacrum and vertebrae was developed with the aim of verifying spinal fracture timing. Injuries observed in the spine were attributed to axial compression applied through the pelvis, together with flexion moment due to the offset in the center of gravity of the torso, and are consistent with UBB-induced combat injuries reported in the literature. The injury timing estimation techniques discussed in this study provide a time interval when the fractures are predicted to have occurred. Furthermore, this approach serves as an alternative to the estimation methods using acoustic sensors, force and acceleration traces, and strain gauges.

Author List

Somasundaram K, Sherman D, Begeman P, Ciarelli T, McCarty SA, Kochkodan JJ, Demetropoulos CK, Cavanaugh JM

Author

Karthik Somasundaram PhD Assistant Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Acceleration
Accidents, Traffic
Biomechanical Phenomena
Cadaver
Explosions
Humans
Research Subjects