Abstract
Thoracic force-deflection characteristics as affected by impactor mass have been measured in the living subhuman primate as a step toward the analysis of cardio-thoracic injuries. Mechanisms of injury were investigated by subjecting Rhesus monkeys seated on a stationary freely movable sled to static and dynamic chest wall displacements (64 tests) by means of a cartridge-fired projectile equipped with a 3 in. diameter impact plate and an accelerometer compensated force transducer.