Validating a Device for Whiplash Motion Simulation in a Porcine Model

Övrigt konferensbidrag, 2021

Whiplash injury is a common outcome following minor automobile collisions. One theorized mechanism for whiplash injury is that the rapid head and neck motions induced by a collision can injure nerve cells in the dorsal root ganglia through pressure gradients developed in the spinal canal and surrounding tissues. This injury mechanism has previously been studied in human cadaver and porcine models. However, the whiplash motion simulation methods in the latter studies lacked the control necessary to explore the independent effects of head rotation and retraction on the measured spinal pressures. This project aimed to address the limitations of previous porcine whiplash studies by developing and validating a new whiplash motion simulation device to enable further study of this injury mechanism. The new proposed device consists of two servomotors which can be programmed to precisely actuate a headplate through mechanical linkages. For the current study, an inert surrogate model was used for preliminary testing of the device using a whiplash motion profile from previous porcine studies. The time scale of the motion profile was adjusted to incrementally increase severity. The positional accuracy and repeatability of the device was assessed through marker tracking of the headplate and logging of the motor encoder positions. Angular rates and linear accelerations of the plate were also measured. Testing demonstrated the strengths of the proposed device in accurately and repeatably replicating programmed motion profiles. Some design modifications can potentially enable simulating whiplash motion severities commensurate with previous porcine whiplash studies. With future testing using this device, our understanding of the pressure-induced whiplash injury mechanism can be improved, which can inform effective treatments and preventative measures for whiplash injury.