Abstract
The response of the head to blunt impact was investigated using anesthetized live and repressurized- and unrepressurized postmortem Rhesus. The stationary test subject was struck on the occipital by a 10kg guided moving impactor. The impactor striking surface was fitting with padding to vary the contact force-time characteristics. A nine-accelerometer system, rigidly affixed to the skull, measured head motion. Transducers placed at specific points below the skull recorded epidural pressure.The repressurization of postmortem subjects included repressurization of both the vascular and cerebrospinal systems. The results of the tests are presented.