Citation

Osvalder AL, Neuman P, Aldman B, Loevsund P, Nordwall A. Proc. IRCOBI 1987; 15: 239-249.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In order to design an optimal seat and head-rest for minimizing the risk of injuries to the occupants in rear-end collisions, it is first necessary to ascertain the injury mechanism causing cervical vertebral and spinal ligament injury. A mechanical model of relevant cervical sections has been developed, based on experiments carried out on cadaver spine segments in order to investigate this problem. The experimental model consists of lumber spine segments. A specially designed fixture is used to hold the specimen in a known orientation. Bending moments are applied to the upper vertebra in different directions. Loads and moments generated in the lumber segments are then recorded with a biomechanical platform. At the same time the three-dimensional motion behavior of relevant structures are studied. The specimens are initially exposed to a physiological range of motion, then the ligaments are broken. After this injury generation the motion behavior is investigated again. The results will eventually be compared with clinical observations from real world accidents. (TRRL)