Response of a human head/neck/upper-torso replica to dynamic loading--II. Analytical/numerical model

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Computational Modeling
• Human Anatomy

Background:

• Understanding head and neck biomechanics is crucial for injury prevention.
• Existing models often lack detailed representation of the complex musculature.
• Accurate prediction of motion under impact is essential for safety research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive three-dimensional lumped-parameter model of the human head, neck, and upper torso.
• To predict the dynamic motion of this structure under various initial conditions.
• To provide a tool for comparison with existing research and experimental data.

Main Methods:

• Constructed a model with ten rigid bodies (head, C1-C7, T1-T2/torso).
• Interconnected bodies using intervertebral joints defined by stiffness matrices.
• Incorporated fifteen muscle pairs modeled as nonlinear three-point linear elements based on cadaver data.

Main Results:

• The model's predictions showed favorable agreement with human volunteer data for flexion and lateral whiplash simulations.
• Testing on an inanimate replica revealed greater flexibility than the model predicted.
• Discrepancies were attributed to the underrepresentation of muscle mass in the model.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D model offers a valuable tool for predicting head and neck motion in biomechanical studies.
• Further refinement is needed, particularly in accurately representing muscle mass, to enhance model fidelity.
• The study highlights the importance of detailed anatomical and physiological parameters in computational biomechanics.