Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratories
Currently, there is no reliable biomechanical model for pediatric skull fractures. The OBL has begun researching the material and mechanical properties of the developing porcine skull during impacts in order to better understand the nature of injury on devloping cranial bone in humans.
| The project, entitled "A Forensic Pathology Tool to Predict Pediatric Skull Fracture Patterns," involves the OBL, MSU Forensic Anthropologists -- Dr. Todd Fenton and Dr. Norman Sauer -- and Biomechanical Researchers at Wayne State University, including Dr. King Yang. The collaborative effort from multiple departments and universities hopes to generate a computational model for pediatric head injury that will be used by Forensic Pathologists in cases involving abuse. |
Dr.
King Yang, Ph.D.
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| The OBL's preliminary studies investigated the material properties of the developing porcine skull. Through experimentation on thin beam specimens, our researchers hope to examine such properties as failure strength, energy absorbed and elastic modulus of developing cranial bone.
Top: Diagram of beam specimens used to calculate material properties Bottom: Computational model of beam specimen during bending |
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The research at the OBL will also include impact testing on cranial specimens. CT Scans will be done at Wayne State University after impact testing in order to gain a detailed view of fractures on the cranial surface. The mechanics of the skull fracture propogation will then be examined in order to generate the final computational model.
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Above: CT Scan of porcine specimen after impact Left: Computer generated model of porcine skull |
Attn: Dr. Roger Haut
A-407 East Fee Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
phone:(517) 355-0320
email: haut@msu.edu
© 8/10/05
by MSU OBL.
All Rights Reserved.