Blunt High -Rate Impact Testing of a Subject-Specific Frangible Human Skull Model

摘要

Current biomechanical headforms used for the prediction of skull fracture injury are lacking. Specifically, these devices are not able to discern specific fracture types during a head impact. Additionally, these devices are expensive and require extensive training to operate and process results. The objective of the current study is to develop a validated subject-specific biomechanical "trauma-indicating" skull surrogate. CT images from previously conducted blunt, ballistic impacts to post -mortem human subjects (PMHS) served to generate rapid prototyped skull models. Fracture force and fracture patterns from the PMHS impact testing served to validate the response and tolerance of the surrogate skull. Methods outlined in this study may be utilized by biomechanical engineers and forensic scientists to generate subject-specific skull models for impact testing and fracture-risk assessment.