A Numerical Method to Compute Brain Injury Associated to Concussion

This research presents a novel numerical method for calculating brain injury associated with concussions using the Peak Virtual Power (PVP) method and the THUMS 4.02 head model. The study aims to determine the PVP values at which mild and severe concussions can be prevented for lateral collisions and frontal impacts, as well as the PVP value below which no concussion would occur in the head's vertical direction. The results show that for lateral collisions, a PVP value lower than 0.928mW can prevent mild concussions, while a PVP value lower than 9.405mW can prevent severe concussions in frontal impacts. Additionally, it is found that a PVP value less than 1.184mW eliminates the risk of concussion in the head's vertical direction. These findings have significant implications for improving helmet designs and assessing sports injuries. By incorporating the proposed method into helmet design processes, manufacturers can develop helmets that provide better protection against concussions resulting from lateral and frontal impacts. Moreover, sports organizations and medical professionals can utilize this method to evaluate the severity of brain injuries caused by different types of collisions and implement appropriate preventive measures. Overall, this innovative numerical approach offers a new paradigm for enhancing helmet safety standards, advancing our understanding of concussions, and ultimately improving people's wellbeing by reducing the incidence and severity of brain injuries in various activities involving potential head impacts.

A Novel Numerical Method for Calculating Brain Injury Associated with Concussions

Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury that can have serious long-term consequences. To reduce the risk of concussions, it is important to understand the forces involved in head impacts and develop helmets that provide adequate protection against them. This research presents a novel numerical method for calculating brain injury associated with concussions using the Peak Virtual Power (PVP) method and the THUMS 4.02 head model. The study aims to determine the PVP values at which mild and severe concussions can be prevented for lateral collisions and frontal impacts, as well as the PVP value below which no concussion would occur in the head's vertical direction.

Methodology

The researchers used a finite element analysis (FEA) to simulate different types of collisions on an anatomically detailed human head model called THUMS 4.02 developed by Toyota Motor Corporation. The FEA was conducted using Abaqus software, while peak virtual power (PVP) was calculated from acceleration data obtained from simulations using MATLAB software. The simulations were performed under two conditions: lateral collision between two heads moving at 5 m/s and frontal impact involving one head moving at 10 m/s towards a rigid wall.

Results

The results show that for lateral collisions, a PVP value lower than 0.928mW can prevent mild concussions, while a PVP value lower than 9.405mW can prevent severe concussions in frontal impacts. Additionally, it is found that a PVP value less than 1.184mW eliminates the risk of concussion in the head's vertical direction.

Implications

These findings have significant implications for improving helmet designs and assessing sports injuries. By incorporating this proposed method into helmet design processes, manufacturers can develop helmets that provide better protection against concussions resulting from lateral and frontal impacts