Biomechanically Realistic Physical Head Models

Abstract

Physical head models are essential for studying traumatic brain injuries (TBI) due to ethical and biological limitations of animal studies, the limitations of Finite element models (FE,) and the inability to examine human brains after concussive events.

This document provides a comprehensive technical review of creating realistic physical models for studying TBI, focusing on four critical components, the neck, the brain, the skull, and cerebrospinal fluid.

Current helmet impact testing protocols are based on the most frequent instantaneous impact forces athletes experience, from accelerometer data in athletic helmets. Without baseline data about brain tissue response to a wide variety of impact scenarios, a helmet system cannot be evaluated for reducing impact response that may cause brain tissue damage.