DEVELOPMENT OF A FINITE ELEMENT MODEL OF THE HUMAN NECK

A 3-dimensional finite element model of a human neck was developed to study the mechanics of cervical spine while subjected to impacts. The neck geometry was obtained from MRI scans of a 50th percentile male volunteer. This model consisting of vertebrae C1-T1 was constructed primarily of 8-node brick elements. Vertebrae were modeled using linear elastic-plastic materials and the intervertebral discs were modeled using linear viscoelastic materials. Sliding interfaces were defined to simulate the motion of synovial facet joints. A previously developed head and brain model was also incorporated. Only the passive effects of the head and neck muscles were considered. Data from head drop tests performed at Duke University and data from 3, 24 km/hr cadaver rear-end impact sled tests were used to validate the model. The validated model was integrated into a skeleton torso model previously developed to simulate a 50th percentile male driver in a 48 km/hr impact with a pre-deployed airbag. This simulation was similar to that reported by Cheng et al. In this application, the kinematics and airbag pressure predicted by the model compared with experimental data. None of the airbags used in the simulations or experiments represent any currently in production. Further research is still needed to fully validate the model before it can be used to study neck loads during head-airbag or other serious injury interactions.

[1]  Peter Niederer,et al.  On the Role of Cervical Facet Joints in Rear End Impact Neck Injury Mechanisms , 1997 .

[2]  Dimitrios Kallieris,et al.  Comparison of Human Volunteer and Cadaver Head-Neck Response in Frontal Flexion , 1987 .

[3]  Roger W. Nightingale,et al.  Experimental Flexibility Measurements for the Development of a Computational Head-Neck Model Validated for Near-Vertex Head Impact , 1997 .

[4]  T Belytschko,et al.  A model for studies of mechanical interactions between the human spine and rib cage. , 1974, Journal of biomechanics.

[5]  N. Yoganandan,et al.  Finite element applications in human cervical spine modeling. , 1996, Spine.

[6]  Manohar M. Panjabi,et al.  Clinical Biomechanics of the Spine , 1978 .

[7]  W Goldsmith,et al.  Response of a human head/neck/upper-torso replica to dynamic loading--II. Analytical/numerical model. , 1987, Journal of biomechanics.

[8]  F. G. Evans,et al.  Strength of biological materials , 1970 .

[9]  M Guillot,et al.  Biomechanical properties of spinal ligaments and a histological study of the supraspinal ligament in traction. , 1985, Journal of biomechanics.

[10]  A. Nachemson,et al.  Some mechanical properties of the third human lumbar interlaminar ligament (ligamentum flavum). , 1968, Journal of biomechanics.

[11]  A. Marsden,et al.  The effect of head restraints and seat belts on the incidence of neck injury in car accidents. , 1986, Injury.

[12]  J. Pearce,et al.  Whiplash injury: a reappraisal. , 1989, Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry.

[13]  A. Sances,et al.  Dynamic Response of Human Cervical Spine Ligaments , 1989, Spine.

[14]  Michael Kleinberger,et al.  THE DYNAMIC RESPONSES OF THE CERVICAL SPINE: BUCKLING, END CONDITIONS, AND TOLERANCE IN COMPRESSIVE IMPACTS , 1997 .

[15]  Tadeusz J. Janik,et al.  Comparisons of Lordotic Cervical Spine Curvatures to a Theoretical Ideal Model of the Static Sagittal Cervical Spine , 1996, Spine.

[16]  A. Sances,et al.  Tensile Strength of Spinal Ligaments , 1988, Spine.

[17]  Richard M. Morgan,et al.  Injuries to the cervical spine caused by a distributed frontal load to the chest , 1982 .

[18]  J. Balla,et al.  The late whiplash syndrome. , 1980, The Australian and New Zealand journal of surgery.

[19]  Jesse Shijie Ruan,et al.  Impact biomechanics of head injury by mathematical modeling , 1994 .

[20]  A. Burstein,et al.  The elastic modulus for bone. , 1974, Journal of biomechanics.

[21]  Albert I. King,et al.  An Experimentally Validated Dynamic Model of the Spine , 1974 .

[22]  de Mkj Marko Jager,et al.  A Global and a Detailed Mathematical Model for Head-Neck Dynamics , 1996 .

[23]  A B Schultz,et al.  Analog studies of forces in the human spine: computational techniques. , 1973, Journal of biomechanics.

[24]  Michael Kleinberger,et al.  Application of Finite Element Techniques to the Study of Cervical Spine Mechanics , 1993 .

[25]  T Yamamuro,et al.  Analysis and Prevention of Spinal Column Deformity Following Cervical Laminectomy I: Pathogenetic Analysis of Postlaminectomy Deformities , 1991, Spine.