An Analysis of the Pressure Wave Generated in Seated Spinal Impact,
Abstract
Experiments performed on seated pentabarbitol anesthetized Macaca mulatta in order to study the response of the vertebral column and internal organs to spinal impact have revealed a spatio-temporal wave phenomenon along the torso during impact. Associated with this wave is a visible temporary abdominal distension. A mathematical model for such a mode of propagation is developed in this paper which enables the prediction of the parameters of a pressure wave in terms of certain physical properties of the subject. From the (closed form) results of the analysis, pressure, propagation speed, and skin stretch can be computed in terms of the speed at which the impact occurs. Although the model is necessarily simplified from the actual complex structure, the predicted relationships between the parameters show encouraging agreement with available experimental results. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0740460
Entities
People
- Peter J. Torvik
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory