Finite Element Modeling of Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury

本项目的目的是利用先进的有限元（FE）建模技术来研究爆炸引起的创伤性脑损伤（bTBI）的影响。本研究将重点研究脑后窝区（脑干、小脑、盖伦大静脉等脉管系统）。先前的研究和最近的动物模型实验表明，在脑外伤病例中，大脑的这一重要区域持续受到损伤。此外，这种损伤与受试者报告的症状一致。一个解剖正确的，基于生物力学的，三维FE头部模型将产生。将创建脑干和静脉的详细有限元子模型，该子模型使用来自全局头部模型的应力/应变分布作为单独装配模型的边界条件。爆破强度和方向的影响也将被研究。这项研究是医学、工程、教育、工业和军事领域几个重要需求融合的直接结果。如果成功，研究的收益将是广泛的，并影响到几个领域。早期诊断和治疗创伤性脑损伤对长期治疗成功甚至存活至关重要。两者都可以通过发展治疗方式和剂量/反应关系来辅助，以补充精确的损伤机制。这项工作将为为拆弹小组、工业消防队员和士兵开发更好的防护设备奠定基础。例如，可以用防护设备或车辆模型来增强头部模型。其他伤害机制（如撞击、飞行弹片）也可以纳入模型。使这些模型在公共领域可用将是对科学和工程社区的一个相当大的贡献。学生和教师将在传统学科之间进行互动，这是一种非常有益的协同作用。研究材料和程序产生的这个项目将适用于课堂使用。

The goal of this project is to investigate the effects of blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) using advanced finite element (FE) modeling techniques. This study will focus on the posterior fossa region of the brain (brainstem, cerebellum, great vein of Galen and other vasculature). Previous studies and recent animal model experiments indicate that this important region of the brain sustains damage in bTBI cases. Further, such injuries are consistent with symptoms reported by subjects. An anatomically correct, biomechanically-based, 3-dimensional FE head model will be produced. A detailed FE submodel of the brainstem and veins will be created, which uses the stress/strain distribution from the global head model as the boundary conditions on the separate assembly model. The effects of blast strength and direction will also be studied.This research is the direct result of the convergence of several important needs in medicine, engineering, education, industry, and the military. If successful, the research benefits will be broad and influence several areas. Early diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury is critical for long term treatment success and even survival. Both can be aided by developing treatment modalities and dose/response relationships that complement the precise injury mechanisms. The work will lay the ground work for the development of better protective equipment for bomb squads, industrial firefighters, and soldiers. For example, head models can be augmented with models of protective equipment or vehicles. Other injury mechanisms (e.g. impacts, flying shrapnel) could also be incorporated into the models. Making these models available in the public domain will be a considerable contribution to the scientific and engineering community. Students and faculty will interact across traditional disciplines, a synergy highly beneficial. The research materials and procedures resulting from this project will be adapted for classroom use.