The development of the Translations Energy Criteria (TEC) has been underway for the last fifteen years. This criteria addresses brain contusion and skull fracture in the Anterior-Posterior (A-P), Left-Right (L-R), and Superior-Inferior (S-I) directions. The object of this study was to evaluate the TEC ability to predict non-fracture type injuries to the brain in the L-R and A-P directions up to the level of "serious". Six unembalmed human cadavers were subjected to one head impact each. Tests one through three were frontal impacts, performed at 1.6, 3.9 and 6.7 m/s respectively. Tests four through six were lateral impacts, performed at 1.9, 3.8 and 6.1 m/s respectively. The impactor weighed 9.05 kg and was fitted with either a rigid or padded surface. The brain was repressurized, and the head instrumented with two tri-axial linear accelerometer arrays and one angular velocity transducer. Two high speed motion picture views were taken for each test. The TEC, expressed in Equivalent Abbreviated Injury Scale (EAIS) numbers related to the AIS, has been partially validated, at least up to EAIS equal to 3 and in the A-P and L-R directions. The TEC can be used to evaluate falls and helmets of all types, as well as the interior and exterior of automobiles. (A)
Abstract