Citation

Cormier JM, Manoogian SJ, Bisplinghoff J, Rowson S, Santago A, McNally C, Duma S, Bolte JH. J. Biomech. Eng. 2011; 133(6): 064501.

Affiliation

Biodynamic Research Corporation, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA. jcormier@brconline.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American Society of Mechanical Engineers)

DOI

10.1115/1.4004248

PMID

21744930

Abstract

This study reports the results of 38 infraorbital maxilla impacts performed on male cadavers. Impacts were performed using an unpadded, cylindrical impactor (3.2 kg) at velocities between 1 and 5 m/s. The peak force and acoustic emission data were used to develop a statistical relationship of fracture risk as a function of impact force. Acoustic emission sensors were used to provide a noncensored measure of the maxilla tolerance and were essential due to the increase in impactor force after fracture onset. Parametric and nonparametric techniques were used to estimate the risk of fracture tolerance. The nonparametric technique produced an estimated 50% risk of fracture between 970 and 1223 N. The results obtained from the parametric and nonparametric techniques were in good agreement. Peak force values achieved in this study were similar to those of previous work and were unaffected by impactor velocity. The results of this study suggest that an impact to the infraorbital maxilla is a load-limited event due to compromise of structural integrity.

Language: en