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A fully synthetic lung model for wound-ballistic experiments-First results
S A Bolliger1, S A Poschmann1, M J Thali1
1Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Forensic Science International
|April 18, 2017
Summary
A new fully synthetic lung model accurately replicates ballistic trauma effects, offering a viable alternative to animal testing for studying lung injuries. This model provides insights into wound channels and trauma not previously observable.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pathology
Background:
- Synthetic models are increasingly used for ballistic trauma research.
- Non-solid organs like lungs have lacked effective synthetic replacements.
- Previous models could not fully replicate lung behavior under ballistic impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a fully synthetic lung model for ballistic trauma examination.
- To assess the viability of this synthetic model as a replacement for animal or cadaveric lung models.
- To investigate the radiological and physical properties of the synthetic lung model.
Main Methods:
- A synthetic lung model was created using frothed ordnance gelatine.
- Foam gelatine blocks were assembled and encased in 10% gelatine.
- Models were subjected to ballistic testing with 9mm Luger ammunition and compared to pig lungs using computed tomography.
Main Results:
- The synthetic lung models exhibited radiological and physical densities comparable to actual lungs.
- Wound profile characteristics, particularly the permanent wound cavity, closely matched those in semi-synthetic swine lung models.
- Both synthetic and semi-synthetic models showed a ring around the permanent wound channel, likely indicating temporary wound cavity remnants.
Conclusions:
- The developed fully synthetic lung model is a suitable substitute for ballistic experiments on lungs.
- This model facilitates further research into temporary wound channels in lungs.
- It offers new possibilities for understanding ballistic trauma effects on lung tissue that were previously unobservable.
