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Biomechanically Based Correlate for Localized Lung Contusion From Nonlethal Blunt Impact Projectiles
Jianxia Cui1, Mark Rapo2, Kiran Mathews1
1L3 Applied Technologies, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA.
Military Medicine
|January 27, 2021
Summary
Normalized strain-energy density accurately predicts lung tissue damage from blunt impact projectiles. This finding is crucial for developing better protective gear against projectile injuries.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Injury Science
- Computational Modeling
Background:
- Blunt impact projectile injuries are localized, unlike whole body collisions.
- Existing injury thresholds may not apply to localized impacts.
- Biomechanical correlates are needed for projectile impact injury assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify tissue-level stresses and strains from projectile impacts.
- To correlate biomechanical doses with lung contusion pathology.
- To develop injury risk curves for lung contusion.
Main Methods:
- Subject-specific swine finite element models were utilized.
- High-speed projectile impacts were simulated.
- Survival analysis regression and statistical methods were applied to correlate biomechanical metrics with lung contusion.
Main Results:
- Normalized strain-energy density was identified as the best predictor of lung tissue damage.
- This metric also effectively predicted the percentage of contused lung volume.
- Sensitivity analysis showed peak strain-energy density is most influenced by muscle-skin properties.
Conclusions:
- Normalized strain-energy density is the optimal correlate for predicting lung tissue damage.
- This metric shows strong correlation with the extent of contused lung volume.
- Findings aid in designing protective systems and assessing injury risks from projectile weapons.
