The pressure response in the brain during short duration impacts

The mechanisms which lead to brain injury in response to blunt head impacts are investigated using three finite-element models of the human head, which range from low to high biofidelity. The models were developed directly from MRI image data using a technique adapted from the marching cubes approach which automates the generation of meshes and allows for a number of different structures (e.g. skull, scalp, brain) to be meshed simultaneously. Experiments were carried out on the finite- element models to validate an analytical representation of head impact based on full 3D elasticity equations developed by one of the authors, and good agreement was observed. The analytical and numerical models were used in parallel to explore the phenomenon of large transient pressure magnification in the brain. This behaviour, proposed by one of the authors, occurs as a result of low duration low velocity impacts. The implications of these high pressure transients are also discussed. Finally individual case studies demonstrate the relevance of this research to realistic head injury scenarios.