Prolonged Electro-muscular Incapacitation in a Porcine Model Causes Spinal Injury

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Orthopedic Research
• Forensic Science

Background:

• Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) aim for temporary incapacitation via electro-muscular incapacitation (EMI).
• Assessing the risk of spinal injury from CEW exposure is crucial for understanding device safety.
• Previous research has not fully elucidated the potential for spinal trauma from CEW use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the risk and identify the causes of spinal injury resulting from exposure to a benchtop electro-muscular incapacitation (EMI) device.
• To determine the fracture patterns and mechanisms in the porcine spine under electrical stimulation.
• To assess the applicability of the porcine model for human spinal injury research related to CEWs.

Main Methods:

• Porcine subjects were exposed to electrical stimuli at 19 Hz and 40 Hz for 30 seconds.
• Spinal injury assessment involved X-ray imaging, necropsy, and accelerometry.
• Musculoskeletal fatigue and stress analysis were performed to identify injury causation.

Main Results:

• Lumbosacral spinal fractures were observed in at least 89% of all subjects.
• Fracture incidence was consistent across both 19 Hz and 40 Hz stimulus groups.
• Injuries were attributed to musculoskeletal fatigue-related stress in the lumbosacral spine.

Conclusions:

• The high rate of spinal fractures in the porcine model suggests it is not an appropriate model for human electro-muscular incapacitation (EMI)-induced spinal injury.
• Prolonged electrical stimulation duration and significant musculoskeletal differences between pigs and humans contribute to the observed high fracture rate.
• Further research is needed to develop accurate models for assessing CEW-related spinal injury risks in humans.