Document Detail


Kinematic response of the spine during simulated aircraft ejections.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20464811     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
INTRODUCTION: Military aviators are susceptible to spinal injuries during high-speed ejection scenarios. These injuries commonly arise as a result of strains induced by extreme flexion or compression of the spinal column. This study characterizes the vertebral motion of two postmortem human surrogates (PMHS) during a simulated catapult phase of ejection on a horizontal decelerator sled. METHODS: During testing, the PMHS were restrained supinely to a mock ejection seat and subjected to a horizontal deceleration profile directed along the local z-axis. Two midsized males (175.3 cm, 77.1 kg; 185.4 cm, 72.6 kg) were tested. High-rate motion capture equipment was used to measure the three-dimensional displacement of the head, vertebrae, and pelvis during the ejection event. RESULTS: The two PMHS showed generally similar kinematic motion. Head injury criterion (HIC) results were well below injury threshold levels for both specimens. The specimens both showed compression of the spine, with a reduction in length of 23.9 mm and 45.7 mm. Post-test autopsies revealed fractures in the C5, T1, and L1 vertebrae. DISCUSSION: This paper provides an analysis of spinal motion during an aircraft ejection.The injuries observed in the test subjects were consistent with those seen in epidemiological studies. Future studies should examine the effects of gender, muscle tensing, out-of-position (of head from neutral position) occupants, and external forces (e.g., windblast) on spinal kinematics during aircraft ejection.
Authors:
Andrew M Damon; David J Lessley; Robert S Salzar; Cameron R Bass; Francis H Shen; Glenn R Paskoff; Barry S Shender
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Aviation, space, and environmental medicine     Volume:  81     ISSN:  0095-6562     ISO Abbreviation:  Aviat Space Environ Med     Publication Date:  2010 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-05-14     Completed Date:  2010-06-08     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7501714     Medline TA:  Aviat Space Environ Med     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  453-9     Citation Subset:  IM; S    
Affiliation:
Center for Applied Biomechanics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Virginia, 1011 Linden Ave., Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA. amd3j@virginia.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Acceleration / adverse effects*
Aerospace Medicine
Aircraft*
Biomechanics
Cadaver
Computer Simulation
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Military Personnel*
Spinal Injuries / etiology,  physiopathology,  prevention & control*
Spine / physiopathology*
United States

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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