Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI): Role of rotational kinematics through the mechanism of shear shock
ABSTRACT— Despite decades of research, the exact mechanism in mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether rotational velocity or acceleration is the primary contributor to mTBI and explore the effect of shear shock waves generated from rotational acceleration. It was hypothesized that rotational acceleration, not rotational velocity, has a primary role in mTBI, and shear shock waves due to the nonlinear pressure waves are a mechanism for mTBI. This study was conducted with a dual modeling and experimental approach. First, strain and deformation response was observed and recorded through the finite element analysis Simulated Injury Monitor (SIMon model). These results were then compared to deformations and strains recorded during pig brain rotational impacts using three dimensional imaging analysis. So far, the simulations reflect the relatively lower strain and stresses created through rotational velocity. Results indicate that rotational acceleration through the mechanism of shear shock waves is a prevalent mechanism in mTBI and could largely alter how future head injury criterions are created and how protective gears for sports players and the military are crafted.
