Finite Element Models (F.E.M.) of the head are more and frequently used to analyze brain injury risk during car crashes. Nevertheless, even though the properties of head components such as brain, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and membranes can be evaluated, the behaviour of the head has not yet been sufficiently validated as a whole. This paper describes the development of a model to simulate the behaviour of the whole contents of the cranium. The biomechanical data specifically generated for this purpose are also described. Cadavers were re-pressurized and fully instrumented in order to measure three dimensional head dynamic CSF pressure in various points of the subarachnoïd space or in ventricles and intracerebral accelerations. For this last, a specific protocol has been developed; accelerometers have been designed to implant them at the right places. Tests were performed in various impact situations involving thorax and head segments with or without paddings. The results are presented. A parametric study is described which uses the range of known data for head components in an attempt to validate the F.E.M. model.
Abstract