Date of Award

1982

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biomedical Engineering

First Advisor

Sances, Anthony

Second Advisor

Jodat, Ronald

Third Advisor

Weber, Robert

Abstract

This study is concerned with the structural characteristics of the ligaments and vertebrae of the human cadaveric spine. Isolated cadaveric spines, spinal cords and intact whole torsos were tested in axial tension, compression, flexion and extension at both quasi-statically and dynamically applied forces. The axial tension studies were conducted on isolated cervical columns, spinal cords and intact whole torsos at quasi-static and dynamic loading rates. These studies were a follow- up to the quasi-static and dynamic axial tension studies conducted on the Macaca rhesus monkey (41,43,44). A series of axial compression, flexion and extension tests were conducted on isolated cervical columns, isolated thoraco- lumbar columns and intact whole torsos, under both quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. The transverse (shear) studies were conducted on isolated cervical and thoracic spinal columns. An MTS Series 810 device, capable of applying either compressive or tensile loads up to 4500 Newtons and velocities of 160 cm/s was used (Figure 1). The slow rate (quasi-static) studies were applied with an Instron device at rates of less than 2 cm/s.

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