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A test series using 12 unembalmed cadavers was conducted to investigate factors affecting the creation of cervical spine damage due to impact to the top of the head. The test subjects were instrumented to measure head, T8 thoracic spine, and sternum acceleration responses. Photographic targets on the head and torso allowed analysis of impact motions from high-speed movies. The stationary test subject was struck by a guided, moving impactor mass of 56 Kg at 4.6-5.6 m/s. The impactor striking surface consisted of a biaxial load cell with padding to vary the contact force-time characteristics of the head/impactor. The orientation of the head, cervical spine, and torso was adjusted relative to the impactor axis to investigate the effect of spinal configurations on the damage patterns. Load and acceleration data are presented as functions of time and as functions of frequency in the form of mechanical impedance.

A series of head impacts were conducted with 15 unembalmed cadavers. The purpose of the tests was to study the application of three-dimensional motion analysis using accelerometry, brain vascular system pressurization and high speed cineradiography to the understanding of head injury mechanics. The implementation of the techniques is described and their effectiveness is discussed. The three-dimensional accelerometry technique using nine accelerometers was found to be applicable in direct head impacts. Analysis of the head acceleration data indicates the existence of brain motions which are independent of the motion of the skull. These motions were confirmed by the high speed cineradiographic films. Brain vascular system pressurization and time after death were found to play a role in determining the extent of the brain motions and the resulting brain injuries.

A test series using eight unembalmed cadavers was conducted to investigate factors affecting the creation of cervical spine damage from impact to the crown of the head. The crown impact was accomplished by a free-fall drop of the test subject onto a load plate. The load plate striking surface was covered with padding to vary the contact force time characteristics. The orientations of the head, cervical spine, and torso were adjusted relative to a laboratory coordinate system to investigate the effects of head and spinal configuration on the damage patterns. Load and acceleration data are presented as a function of time and as a function of frequency in the form of mechanical impedance.