title: The tolerance of the maxilla to blunt impact.
abstract: This study reports the results of 38 infraorbital maxilla impacts performed on male cadavers. Impacts were performed using an unpadded, cylindrical impactor (3.2 kg) at velocities between 1 and 5 m/s. The peak force and acoustic emission data were used to develop a statistical relationship of fracture risk as a function of impact force. Acoustic emission sensors were used to provide a noncensored measure of the maxilla tolerance and were essential due to the increase in impactor force after fracture onset. Parametric and nonparametric techniques were used to estimate the risk of fracture tolerance. The nonparametric technique produced an estimated 50% risk of fracture between 970 and 1223 N. The results obtained from the parametric and nonparametric techniques were in good agreement. Peak force values achieved in this study were similar to those of previous work and were unaffected by impactor velocity. The results of this study suggest that an impact to the infraorbital maxilla is a load-limited event due to compromise of structural integrity.
authors: Biodynamic Research Corporation, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA. jcormier@brconline.com
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Cormier
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Manoogian
authors: Jill
authors: J
authors: Bisplinghoff
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Rowson
authors: Anthony
authors: A
authors: Santago
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: McNally
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Duma
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Bolte
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001698:Biomedical Engineering; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008440:Maxillary Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000503:physiopathology