Design of a simplified cranial substitute with a modal behavior close to that of a human skull.

Individuals exposed to the propagation of shock waves generated by the detonation of explosive charges may suffer Traumatic Brain Injury. The mechanism of cranial deflection is one of many hypotheses that could explain the observed brain damage. To investigate this physical phenomenon in a reproducible manner, a new simplified cranial substitute was designed with a mechanical response close to that of a human skull when subjected to this type of loading.

Cerebral and cognitive modifications in retired professional soccer players: TC-FOOT protocol, a transverse analytical study.

Introduction: Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. This contact sport carries the risk of exposure to repeated head impacts in the form of subconcussions, defined as minimal brain injuries following head impact, with no symptom of concussion. While it has been suggested that exposure to repetitive subconcussive events can result in long-term neurophysiological modifications, and the later development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the consequences of these repeated impacts remain controversial and largely unexplored in the context of soccer players.

Use of Brain Biomechanical Models for Monitoring Impact Exposure in Contact Sports.

Head acceleration measurement sensors are now widely deployed in the field to monitor head kinematic exposure in contact sports. The wealth of impact kinematics data provides valuable, yet challenging, opportunities to study the biomechanical basis of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and subconcussive kinematic exposure. Head impact kinematics are translated into brain mechanical responses through physics-based computational simulations using validated brain models to study the mechanisms of injury.

Influence of double rods and interbody cages on range of motion and rod stress after spinopelvic instrumentation: a finite element study.

Purpose: To compare instrumentation configurations consisting of bilateral single or double rods and additional interbody cages (IBCs) at different levels in terms of Range of Motion (ROM) and distribution of von Mises stress in rods.

Methods: A previously validated L1-pelvis finite element model was used and instrumented with configurations consisting of single or double bilateral rods and IBCs at multiple levels. Pure moments of 7.

Application of complex neck loads to human spine at the occipital condyle joint: Implications for nonstandard postures for automated vehicles.

Objective: The automotive industry's shift toward automated vehicles allows the occupants to assume postures different from the standard upright seated position. Injury criteria assessments are needed under these nonstandard postures to advance safety. The objective of this study is to develop a new device that can position the human cadaver head-neck structures in different nonstandard pre-postures using custom devices and apply external loading anticipated in modern and future automotive and military scenarios.