Evaluation and Refinement of the CRABI-6 Anthropomorphic Test Device Injury Criteria for Skull Fracture

Author(s):  
Chris Van Ee ◽  
Barbara Moroski-Browne ◽  
David Raymond ◽  
Kirk Thibault ◽  
Warren Hardy ◽  
...  

Only sparse experimental pediatric tissue tolerance data are available for the development of pediatric surrogates and associated injury reference values. The objective of this study is to improve the efficacy of the CRABI series anthropometric test devices by increasing the foundational data used for head injury and skull fracture. To accomplish this, this study evaluated and refined the CRABI-6 injury assessment reference values (IARV) associated with skull fracture by correlating the test device response with the detailed fracture results of 50 infant cadaver drop studies reported by Weber in 1984 and 1985. Using the CRABI-6 test device, four 82-cm height free fall impacts were performed onto each of four different impact surfaces: concrete, carpet, 2-cm foam mat, and an 8-cm thick camel hair blanket. Average and standard deviation of peak head linear acceleration and HIC36 (Head Injury Criteria) were computed for each impact surface. The average CRABI impact response was mapped to the Weber fracture outcomes for corresponding impact surfaces and logistic regression was performed to define a skull fracture risk curve based on exposure. The 5%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 95% risk for skull fracture correlated with a CRABI-6 peak linear head acceleration of 50, 70, 82, 94, and 114 g’s and a HIC36 of 87, 214, 290, 366 and 493, respectively. This study made use of the most extensive set of controlled infant cadaver head impact and fracture data currently available. Previous head IARVs for the CRABI-6 are given by Melvin (1995) and by Klinich et al. (2002). Based on a review of pediatric tissue experiments, scaling of adult and child dummy IARVs, and sled tests, Melvin suggested a HIC22 of 390 and a limit on peak head acceleration of 50 g’s. Klinich et al. reported the results of three reconstructions of airbag-related infant head injuries and three additional reconstructions not associated with head injury. They estimated the 50% risk of minor skull fracture to be 85 g’s and 220 HIC15. These previously reported estimates appear to be in agreement with the results reported from this study for CRABI-6 IARV of 50% risk of skull fracture at 82 g’s and 290 HIC36.

Author(s):  
Chris Van Ee ◽  
David Raymond ◽  
Kirk Thibault ◽  
Warren Hardy ◽  
John Plunkett

The current head Injury Assessment Reference Values (IARVs) for the child dummies are based in part on scaling adult and animal data and on reconstructions of real world accident scenarios. Reconstruction of well-documented accident scenarios provides critical data in the evaluation of proposed IARV values, but relatively few accidents are sufficiently documented to allow for accurate reconstructions. This reconstruction of a well documented fatal-fall involving a 23-month old child supplies additional data for IARV assessment. The videotaped fatal-fall resulted in a frontal head impact onto a carpet-covered cement floor. The child suffered an acute right temporal parietal subdural hematoma without skull fracture. The fall dynamics were reconstructed in the laboratory and the head linear and angular accelerations were quantified using the CRABI-18 Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD). Peak linear acceleration was 125 ± 7 g (range 114–139), HIC15 was 335 ± 115 (Range 257–616), peak angular velocity was 57± 16 (Range 26–74), and peak angular acceleration was 32 ± 12 krad/s2 (Range 15–56). The results of the CRABI-18 fatal fall reconstruction were consistent with the linear and rotational tolerances reported in the literature. This study investigates the usefulness of the CRABI-18 anthropomorphic testing device in forensic investigations of child head injury and aids in the evaluation of proposed IARVs for head injury.


Author(s):  
Carlos Zerpa ◽  
Stephen Carlson ◽  
Eryk Przysucha ◽  
Meilan Liu ◽  
Paolo Sanzo

Hockey helmets represent the best form of head protection available to reduce the occurrence of skull fracture and concussion. Currently, helmet testing protocols focus on the reduction of peak linear acceleration measures. Gaps exist in analyzing how certain impact factors such as angle, neck stiffness, and location influence the energy loaded to the helmet and the risk of injury during head collisions. This study examined the effect of helmet impact angle, neck stiffness-torque levels, and helmet impact locations on energy reduction and risk of head injury grounded on acceleration measures using simulated free fall head collisions. The researchers conducted 540 impacts to collect the data. The results revealed statistical interaction effects between the angle of impact and location on measures of energy and risk of head injury. This study builds on existing literature by introducing an energy measurement technique to assess helmet performance. The outcome also provides an avenue for helmet manufacturers to evaluate the performance of the helmet in reducing concussion risk.


1999 ◽  
Vol 6 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 299-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z.Q. Cheng ◽  
W.D. Pilkey ◽  
J.R. Crandall ◽  
C.R. Bass ◽  
K. Darvish

This is a study of the theoretical optimal (limiting) performance of helmets for the prevention of head injury. A rigid head injury model and a two-mass translational head injury model are employed. Several head injury criteria are utilized, including head acceleration, the head injury criterion (HIC), the energy imparted to the brain which is related to brain injury, and the power developed in the skull that is associated with skull fracture. A helmeted head hitting a rigid surface and a helmeted head hit by a moving object such as a ball are considered. The optimal characteristics of helmets and the impact responses of the helmeted head are investigated computationally. An experiment is conducted on an ensemble of bicycle helmets. Computational results are compared with the experimental results.


Author(s):  
Sukriti Das ◽  
Bipin Chaurasia ◽  
Dipankar Ghosh ◽  
Asit Chandra Sarker

Abstract Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Economic impact is much worse in developing countries like Bangladesh, as victims are frequently male, productive, and breadwinners of the families. Objectives The objective of our study was to highlight the etiological pattern and distribution of varieties of head injuries in Bangladesh and give recommendations regarding how this problem can be solved or reduce to some extent at least. Methods From January 2017 to December 2019, a total of 14,552 patients presenting with head injury at emergency got admitted in Neurosurgery department of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital and were included in this study. Results The most common age group was 21 to 30 years (36%: 5,239) with a male-to-female ratio of 2.6:1. Injury was mostly caused by road traffic accident (RTA [58.3%: 8,484]), followed by fall (25%: 3,638) and history of assault (15.3%: 2,226). The common varieties of head injury were: acute extradural hematoma (AEDH [42.30%: 1,987]), skull fracture either linear or depressed (28.86%: 1,347), acute subdural hematoma (ASDH [12.30%: 574]), brain contusion (10.2%: 476), and others (6.04%: 282). Conclusion RTA is the commonest cause of TBI, and among them motor bike accident is the severe most form of TBI. AEDH is the commonest variety of head injuries. Proper steps taken by the Government, vehicle owners, and drivers, and proper referral system and prompt management in the hospital can reduce the mortality and morbidity from TBI in Bangladesh.


Author(s):  
Fang Wang ◽  
Zhen Wang ◽  
Lin Hu ◽  
Hongzhen Xu ◽  
Chao Yu ◽  
...  

This study evaluates the effectiveness of various widely used head injury criteria (HICs) in predicting vulnerable road user (VRU) head injuries due to road traffic accidents. Thirty-one real-world car-to-VRU impact accident cases with detailed head injury records were collected and replicated through the computational biomechanics method; head injuries observed in the analyzed accidents were reconstructed by using a finite element (FE)-multibody (MB) coupled pedestrian model [including the Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS) head–neck FE model and the remaining body segments of TNO MB pedestrian model], which was developed and validated in our previous study. Various typical HICs were used to predict head injuries in all accident cases. Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis method was adopted to investigate the correlation between head kinematics-based injury criteria and the actual head injury of VRU; the effectiveness of brain deformation-based injury criteria in predicting typical brain injuries [such as diffuse axonal injury diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and contusion] was assessed by using head injury risk curves reported in the literature. Results showed that for head kinematics-based injury criteria, the most widely used HICs and head impact power (HIP) can accurately and effectively predict head injury, whereas for brain deformation-based injury criteria, the maximum principal strain (MPS) behaves better than cumulative strain damage measure (CSDM0.15 and CSDM0.25) in predicting the possibility of DAI. In comparison with the dilatation damage measure (DDM), MPS seems to better predict the risk of brain contusion.


2016 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 667-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Lloyd ◽  
Frank Conidi

OBJECT Helmets are used for sports, military, and transportation to protect against impact forces and associated injuries. The common belief among end users is that the helmet protects the whole head, including the brain. However, current consensus among biomechanists and sports neurologists indicates that helmets do not provide significant protection against concussion and brain injuries. In this paper the authors present existing scientific evidence on the mechanisms underlying traumatic head and brain injuries, along with a biomechanical evaluation of 21 current and retired football helmets. METHODS The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) standard test apparatus was modified and validated for impact testing of protective headwear to include the measurement of both linear and angular kinematics. From a drop height of 2.0 m onto a flat steel anvil, each football helmet was impacted 5 times in the occipital area. RESULTS Skull fracture risk was determined for each of the current varsity football helmets by calculating the percentage reduction in linear acceleration relative to a 140-g skull fracture threshold. Risk of subdural hematoma was determined by calculating the percentage reduction in angular acceleration relative to the bridging vein failure threshold, computed as a function of impact duration. Ranking the helmets according to their performance under these criteria, the authors determined that the Schutt Vengeance performed the best overall. CONCLUSIONS The study findings demonstrated that not all football helmets provide equal or adequate protection against either focal head injuries or traumatic brain injuries. In fact, some of the most popular helmets on the field ranked among the worst. While protection is improving, none of the current or retired varsity football helmets can provide absolute protection against brain injuries, including concussions and subdural hematomas. To maximize protection against head and brain injuries for football players of all ages, the authors propose thresholds for all sports helmets based on a peak linear acceleration no greater than 90 g and a peak angular acceleration not exceeding 1700 rad/sec2.


Med Phoenix ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-74
Author(s):  
Bikash Sah ◽  
Bishwanath Yadav ◽  
Shivendra Jha ◽  
Abdul Sami Khan

Background: Head injury is regarded as a main health problem that is a common cause of morbidities and mortalities and makes great demand to control and prevent it. For this, policy makers need to see the pattern of head injury and this study is done to describe the pattern.Methods: Hospital based, descriptive cross sectional study done on one year autopsy cases of fatal blunt trauma head injury which was 76 in which proportion of different types of head injuries, their causes and their distribution as per age, sex, and duration of survival were studied.Results: Skull-vault fractures were present in 57 (75%) cases in which most common type of fracture was linear fracture constituting 29(49.12%). 50% of the cases were with skullbase fracture in which the most common was of anterior cranial fossa fracture(60.5%). 56.34% of the victims were with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) followed by subdural haemorrhage (SDH) and extradural haemorrhage (EDH). 6.6% victims were without any intracranial haemorrhage. Road traffic accident alone accounted for 71% of total blunt trauma causations of this fatal head injury. 70% cases were in age group from 11 to 50 years and 78.9% were male. 51.3% died at the spot. Conclusions: The research findings have shown that among the fatal blunt trauma head injury cases, skull vault fracture was present in 75% and skull base fracture was present in 50%. The most common intracranial haemorrhage was subarachnoid haemorrhage (56.34%) followed by subdural and extradural haemorrhage.  Med Phoenix. Vol. 3, Issue. 1, 2018, Page: 71-74                                                         


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Wang ◽  
Alan R. Cohen ◽  
Shenandoah Robinson

Object In recent years there has been an increased incidence of golf-associated head injuries in children and adolescents. At the authors' institution, they have identified a unique pattern of head injury associated with a swinging golf club. In this study, the authors highlight the mechanism of this injury and report their experience treating it. Methods The authors reviewed the database of Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital Trauma Center and performed a retrospective analysis of golf injuries recorded over a 10-year period (January 2000–April 2010). They identified 13 children (9 boys and 4 girls) who sustained head injuries in golfing accidents. All patients were 10 years of age or younger. The medical charts were reviewed and follow-up interviews were conducted to better delineate the details of the injuries. Results Injuries included 13 depressed skull fractures, 7 epidural hematomas, and 1 cerebral contusion. All 13 patients sustained their injuries after being struck in the head by a golf club. Seven sustained injuries on the follow-through of the initial swing and 3 sustained injuries on the backswing. All but one patient required neurosurgical intervention. Five patients developed neurological sequelae. None of the children had prior experience with golf equipment. All but one injury occurred in the child's own backyard. There was no direct supervision by an adult in any of the cases. Conclusions Golfing can lead to serious head injuries in children. The authors noticed a unique pattern of golf-related head injuries, previously not described, that they have termed the “swing-ding.” This golf club–inflicted injury occurs when a child stands too close to a swinging golfer and is struck in the head, subsequently sustaining a comminuted depressed skull fracture in the frontal or temporal region, with or without further intracranial injury. The study suggests that a lack of adult supervision, minimal previous golf experience, and proximity of the child to the swinging golfer are all implicated in this head injury pattern.


Author(s):  
Kyle Ott ◽  
Liming Voo ◽  
Andrew Merkle ◽  
Alexander Iwaskiw ◽  
Alexis Wickwire ◽  
...  

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) has been the termed the “signature injury” in wounded soldiers in recent military operations [1]. Evidence has shown a strong association between TBI and blast loading to the head due to exposure to explosive events [2, 3]. Head injury mechanisms in a primary blast environment remain elusive and are the subject of much speculation and hypotheses. However, brain injury mechanisms have traditionally been attributed to either a direct impact or a rapid head acceleration or deceleration. Extensive research has been performed regarding the effects of blunt trauma and inertial loading on head injuries [4, 5]. Direct impacts to the head can largely be described based on linear acceleration measurements that correlate to skull fracture and focal brain injuries [6]. Computational head modeling of blunt impact events has shown that the linear acceleration response correlates well with increases in brain pressure [7]. Intracranial pressure, therefore, has been one of the major quantities investigated for correlation to blast induced TBI injury mechanisms [8–14].


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 340-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Elaine Billmire ◽  
Patricia A. Myers

The medical records and computed tomography (CT) scans of all children less than 1 year of age admitted to the hospital with head injury over a 2-year period were reviewed. Sixty-four percent of all head injuries, excluding uncomplicated skull fracture, and 95% of serious intracranial injuries were the result of child abuse. The occurrence of intracranial injury in infants, in the absence of a history of significant accidental trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident, constitutes grounds for an official child abuse investigation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document