Date of Award
Spring 1991
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Abstract
Numerous experiments have centered on lumbar and thoracic spinal injuries. Few investigations have focused on cervical injuries. Researchers have search for answers in regard to load transfer along the whole cervical spine. This study was made to measure strains in the vertebral body and articulating process of the cervical spine under increasing axial and eccentric forces for evaluation of neck injury. Literature have shown quantitative methods for measuring load through a spinal column such as an intervertebral load cell and seat pan load. Our experiments attempt to document strains in the bony elements anterior and posterior under both physiological and traumatic conditions. Strain gages were applied in the vertebral body anteriorly and articulating process posteriorly. Retroreflective markers were placed on the upper PMMA plate to measure motion in a three cervical spine unit. A knife edge device was used to model flexion and extension movements in the spine. A uniform device was made to observe the spine under uniform compression. The test have shown two zones: 1) a zone of pure compression was located in a knife edge load between 0.5 em and 1.0 em anterior from the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL); 2) a zone of axis of rotation was determined about the region of the posterior longitudinal ligament to 0.5 em anterior from the PLL. The strain pattern indicate that the anterior wedge or burst fracture can be caused by load centered mainly on the anterior column (vertebral body).
Recommended Citation
Pesigan, Michael F., "Measurement of Cervical Vertebrae Strain for Assessment of Injury Mechanisms" (1991). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 3819.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/3819