Development of a Predictive Multiscale Traumatic Brain Injury Model
Abstract
Although laboratory models have successfully simulated TBI, and head blast and blunt impact simulations are beginning to estimate th""e force distribution in the brain, the exact force magnitudes and directions that initiate TBI at the cellular level are still unkno""wn. This information is critically important, since the clinical effects of TBI are rooted, at least initially, in cellular signalin"g cascades arising from mechanical deformation from impacts or blasts. Knowledge of neuronal TBI thresholds is a critical component for developing improved protective equipment and equipment testing standards that address the full range of TBI including mild TBI" (mTBI). With no established thresholds for these injuries, equipment, primarily helmets, cannot be designed to provide adequate pro"tection. To close this knowledge gap and to substantially improve current evaluation and prevention strategies of TBI including sign"ificantly improved protective equipment, the objective of this proposal is three-fold. First: to develop a quantitative, cellular-ba"sed TBI injury envelope for predicting the onset of mTBI. Second: to develop a high-fidelity helmet liner impact sensing system that" (i) is validated to measure impact kinematics of the head not the helmet or liner material, and (ii) is fully adaptable to existing" and future combat helmet liners. Last: To develop a quantitative engineering framework for characterizing the energy transfer function of the helmet-liner system for assessing and improving the mitigation potential of current and future liner materials in prevent"ing, or at least significantly mitigating, mTBI. Through extensive collaboration led by BrownUniversity with Team Wendy, Drexel Uni""versity and Sandia National Laboratories, this proposal establishes a comprehensive framework for identifying the onset of TBI in th"e brain and a new bottomup approach for transformative material mitigation strategies. Results from this grant are anticipated to no"t only aid in predicting TBI but spur the development of improved head gear and testing standards, which currently are not capable o"f addressing mTBI or blast related TBI prevention.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 07, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141712644
Entities
People
- Christian Franck
Organizations
- Brown University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy