The Potential Use of Pressure Sensors to Measure Intervertebral Loads in an Aviation Environment

Abstract

The U.S. Army aviator has been continuously at risk of spinal injuries as a result of mishaps or routine operation of aircraft. These types of injuries are debilitating to both the individual Soldier and the Department of Defense as a whole. Thus, it becomes imperative to limit spinal injuries to prevent these consequences from continuing forward as the Army moves into the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) environment. However, prior to limiting spinal injuries, the mechanisms behind spinal injuries in an aviation environment need to be further investigated. One potential tool, which has been used to investigate spinal injury, is an intervertebral disc (IVD) pressure sensor. Past research studies have used IVD pressure sensors, both in-vivo and in-vitro, to determine the pressures placed on vertebral bodies during various activities. The purpose of the current study is to review relevant literature and studies and to determine if the use of IVD pressure sensors can further document the mechanisms of spinal injury in an aviation environment.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 24, 2021
Accession Number
AD1148761

Entities

People

  • B. Joseph McEntire
  • Blake A. Johnson
  • Ray W. Daniel
  • Valeta C. Chancey

Organizations

  • United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accidents
  • Aircrafts
  • Department Of Defense
  • Fiber Bragg Gratings
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Mechanics
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Medicine
  • Pain
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Spinal Column
  • Spine
  • Strain Gages
  • Technical Information Centers
  • Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.