CANBERRA ACT 2601

A serles of physical models oi the human head and neck were conshucted to stud), the biomechanics of ihe cervical spmal cord during a slmulated ~ollover clash. Thcsc models were dynamically loaded In axial compression and the spatial and temporal pattcrns of strain In the spinal cord were calculakd. The largest strains \$we seen In the regions near subluaarions iiom simulated liyamcnt disrupilons. The strain rates were calculated. and wele sufficienlly high in some reglons that funcuonal iailure of the ahom i n the spinal cord would be expected in neural tissues undagoin: thcsc loads. The locatlon and magnitude of stram and strain rate correlale with regions of cord damage In pathology dara. The critical Caaclors which predict the type and seventy of splnal cord injury are the initla1 posltlon of the]lead. the amount of wxtjcal crush, and thc rate of loadlng. In order to mlnmise these lnlurles In ~ollover accidents, the occupani imust be suffuently restrained to prevent axial compression or the neck If the head contacts the roof. and that the roof crush is minimised so that tile occupant space 1s not cornprolnke