title: Does preliminary optimisation of an anatomically correct skull-brain model using simple simulants produce clinically realistic ballistic injury fracture patterns?
abstract: Ballistic head injury remains a significant threat to military personnel. Studying such injuries requires a model that can be used with a military helmet. This paper describes further work on a skull-brain model using skulls made from three different polyurethane plastics and a series of skull 'fills' to simulate brain (3, 5, 7 and 10% gelatine by mass and PermaGel™). The models were subjected to ballistic impact from 7.62 × 39 mm mild steel core bullets. The first part of the work compares the different polyurethanes (mean bullet muzzle velocity of 708 m/s), and the second part compares the different fills (mean bullet muzzle velocity of 680 m/s). The impact events were filmed using high speed cameras. The resulting fracture patterns in the skulls were reviewed and scored by five clinicians experienced in assessing penetrating head injury. In over half of the models, one or more assessors felt aspects of the fracture pattern were close to real injury. Limitations of the model include the skull being manufactured in two parts and the lack of a realistic skin layer. Further work is ongoing to address these.
authors.affiliation: Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, ICT Centre, Research Park, Birmingham, B15 2SQ, UK. p.f.mahoney@cranfield.ac.uk.|Centre for Defence Engineering, Cranfield University at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham, Swindon, SN6 8LA, UK. p.f.mahoney@cranfield.ac.uk.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Mahoney
authors.affiliation: Centre for Defence Engineering, Cranfield University at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham, Swindon, SN6 8LA, UK.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.affiliation: South West Forensic Pathology Group Practice, PO Box 388, Bristol, BS9 0DB, UK.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Delaney
authors.affiliation: Forensic Pathology Services, Grove Technology Park, Wantage, Oxon, OX12 9FA, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, RCDM, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, RCDM, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Breeze
authors.affiliation: X-ray Department, Medical Centre, HMS Nelson, HM Naval Base Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3HH, UK.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gibb
mesh_terms: D044709:Forensic Ballistics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005780:Gelatin; D005782:Gels; D020197:Head Injuries, Penetrating / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008954:Models, Biological; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000473:pathology*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D011140:Polyurethanes; D005780:Gelatin
keywords: 7.62 × 39 mm bullet; AK47; Assessment; Head; Military helmet