Mechanical Properties of Spinal Ligaments for Rhesus Monkey, Baboon and Chimpanzee

摘要

This report covers a study of the material property characteristics of four major spinal ligaments and represents the first 1-1/2 years of a 3-year effort; the experimental protocol to be used throughout the study is emphasized. The mechanical response characteristics of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, ligamentum flavum and supraspinous ligament were examined at different anatomical levels, and these properties were compared between the rhesus monkey, baboon and chimpanzee, three of the four species of primates to be evaluated in the total program. The following tests were conducted on these tissues; establishment of initial tissue geometry, relaxation, constant strain rate, hysteresis and preliminary cyclic tests. Information on the mechanical properties of the spinal ligaments is essential to understanding the mechanism of spinal injuries that result from a constant exposure to vibratory loading environments not only during escape and crash episodes, but during routine flights especially in high performance aircraft. Different primate species data will aid in the selection of animal models and interspecies scaling techniques. (Author)