Development, validation, and application of a parametric pediatric head finite element model for impact simulations
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Published on: September 21, 2017
Zhigang Li1, Jingwen Hu, Matthew P Reed
1University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Insights
A new statistical model accurately represents infant skull geometry, revealing age-related changes impact head injury risk. This research is crucial for understanding pediatric head protection.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Computational modeling
- Pediatric injury prevention
Background:
- Infant head injuries are a significant concern.
- Existing head models often lack age-specific geometric accuracy.
- Understanding the biomechanical response of developing skulls is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a statistical model of cranium geometry for infants aged 0-3 months.
- To create pediatric head finite element (FE) models representing different infant ages.
- To investigate the influence of age-related geometric changes on head impact responses.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 11 CT scans using principal component analysis and multivariate regression.
- Utilized radial basis function to morph a baseline FE model into infant-specific geometries.
- Performed parametric studies on impact conditions and validated models against cadaver tests.
Main Results:
- The statistical model generated realistic infant skull geometry, suture size, and thickness.
- Skull elastic modulus significantly affected head impact responses.
- Head geometry was a significant factor in skull stress and suture strain.
- Older infant models showed increased peak acceleration and suture strain but decreased skull stress.
Conclusions:
- Age-related geometric variations significantly influence pediatric head impact responses.
- Combined consideration of material properties and geometry is essential for accurate head injury risk prediction.
- This methodology enables the investigation of age effects on pediatric head biomechanics.
Abstract:
In this study, a statistical model of cranium geometry for 0- to 3-month-old children was developed by analyzing 11 CT scans using a combination of principal component analysis and multivariate regression analysis. Radial basis function was used to morph the geometry of a baseline child head finite element (FE) model into models with geometries representing a newborn, a 1.5-month-old, and a 3-month-old infant head. These three FE models were used in a parametric study of near-vertex impact conditions to quantify the sensitivity of different material parameters. Finally, model validation was conducted against peak head accelerations in cadaver tests under different impact conditions, and optimization techniques were used to determine the material properties. The results showed that the statistical model of cranium geometry produced realistic cranium size and shape, suture size, and skull/suture thickness, for 0- to 3-month-old children. The three pediatric head models generated by morphing had mesh quality comparable to the baseline model. The elastic modulus of skull had a greater effect on most head impact response measurements than other parameters. Head geometry was a significant factor affecting the maximal principal stress of the skull (p = 0.002) and maximal principal strain of the suture (p = 0.021) after controlling for the skull material. Compared with the newborn head, the 3-month-old head model produced 6.5% higher peak head acceleration, 64.8% higher maximal principal stress, and 66.3% higher strain in the suture. However, in the skull, the 3-month-old model produced 25.7% lower maximal principal stress and 11.5% lower strain than the newborn head. Material properties of the brain had little effects on head acceleration and strain/stress within the skull and suture. Elastic moduli of the skull, suture, dura, and scalp determined using optimization techniques were within reported literature ranges and produced impact response that closely matched those measured in previous cadaver tests. The method developed in this study made it possible to investigate the age effects from geometry changes on pediatric head impact responses. The parametric study demonstrated that it is important to consider the material properties and geometric variations together when estimating pediatric head responses and predicting head injury risks.
