Validating a Device for Whiplash Motion Simulation in a Porcine Model
Paper i proceeding, 2021
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.
Författare
Nikoo Soltan
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Peter A. Cripton
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Mats Svensson
Chalmers, Mekanik och maritima vetenskaper, Fordonssäkerhet
Gunter P. Siegmund
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Proceedings of the 16th Injury Biomechanics Symposium
Columbus, Ohio, USA,
Styrkeområden
Transport
Ämneskategorier
Annan medicinteknik
Biomedicinsk laboratorievetenskap/teknologi
Farkostteknik