Biomechanical Tolerance Criterion for the Spinal Cord

急性脊髓损伤(SCI)始于一种称为原发损伤的机械性损伤，随后是一种扩展的生物反应，称为继发性损伤。过去十年的研究进展表明，在动物模型中，原发损伤的特征(如加载速度、方向)对脊髓损伤的类型和严重程度有深刻的影响。对这些损伤的计算机模拟强调了这些机械效应对组织损伤的重要性。这些模拟作为伤害预防装置和环境(例如头盔和汽车内饰)的设计工具具有巨大的潜力。不幸的是，这些计算机模型作为预测工具存在局限性。需要改进的主要领域包括脊髓组织模型(例如灰质与白质、各向异性)以及将机械响应与组织损伤联系起来(即确定适当的耐受标准)。

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).