Biomechanical Tolerance Criterion for the Spinal Cord

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Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) begins with a mechanical insult, termed primary injury, followed by an extended biological response, called secondary injury. Research advances over the past decade show, in animal models, that features of the primary injury (e.g. loading rate, direction) have profound influences on the pattern and severity of SCI. Computer simulations of these injuries emphasized the importance of these mechanical effects on tissue damage. These simulations have great potential as design tools for devices and environments for injury prevention (e.g. helmets and automobile interiors). Unfortunately, there exist limitations with these computer models as predictive tools. The main areas for improvement include spinal cord tissue modelling (e.g. grey vs. white matter, anisotropy) and relating the mechanical response to tissue damage (i.e. identifying an appropriate tolerance criterion).