Investigation of blunt injuries and the force associated with a skull fracture due to impact with a Hopkinson pressure bar : an animal model

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorHeyns, Mariseen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorCoetzé, Lisa Janeen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2015-12-04T18:01:05Z
dc.date.available2015-12-04T18:01:05Z
dc.date.issued2015en_ZA
dc.description.abstractHomicide is one of the leading causes of death in South Africa. Homicides as a result of a firearm, sharp instrument or blunt object, may all potentially inflict severe cranial trauma. Often the lateral aspect of the cranium is fractured in homicidal assaults, however, the focus of head injury biomechanics has been the frontal bone. This is due to automotive-related incidents. Thus it is important for researchers to broaden their knowledge on lateral head impacts. This data could ultimately act as a tool in making cranial bone trauma analysis less subjective in nature. This minor dissertation discusses human cranial bones and explores different types of cranial fractures. It further provides an in depth discussion on the different types of experimental tests and specimens used in biomechanical testing. A current review on the literature surrounding head impacts is also provided. The research conducted for this minor dissertation uses the Cape (Chacma) Baboon as a model to attempt to simulate cranial blunt trauma observed in human bone. Fifteen Cape (Chacma) Baboon head specimens were subjected to a single temporo-parietal impact. These specimens were impacted with an aluminium striker bar that resembles the dimensions of a hammer (length: 23cm, circumference: 40cm and weight: 200g). The aim of these hammer tests were to characterise soft and hard tissue wound morphology as a result of blunt cranial impacts. Resulting data was analysed to determine if a significant correlation existed between impact velocity or energy and the extent of trauma observed. The remaining twelve Cape (Chacma) Baboon specimens were all subjected to a single impact in the temporo-parietal region. These specimens were impacted with a Hopkinson pressure bar, which is manufactured from the same material as the striker bar. The aim of the Hopkinson pressure bar tests was to attempt to determine the force of impact. The use of the Hopkinson pressure bar to determine fracture forces in baboon head specimens is novel. The fracture forces obtained in the current study compare well with literature investigating lateral impacts. Furthermore, the fracture patterns obtained in the current study realistically simulate cranial trauma seen in humans. It would therefore be beneficial to advance research using the baboon model and Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationCoetzé, L. J. (2015). <i>Investigation of blunt injuries and the force associated with a skull fracture due to impact with a Hopkinson pressure bar : an animal model</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Division of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15575en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationCoetzé, Lisa Jane. <i>"Investigation of blunt injuries and the force associated with a skull fracture due to impact with a Hopkinson pressure bar : an animal model."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Division of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15575en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationCoetzé, L. 2015. Investigation of blunt injuries and the force associated with a skull fracture due to impact with a Hopkinson pressure bar : an animal model. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Coetzé, Lisa Jane AB - Homicide is one of the leading causes of death in South Africa. Homicides as a result of a firearm, sharp instrument or blunt object, may all potentially inflict severe cranial trauma. Often the lateral aspect of the cranium is fractured in homicidal assaults, however, the focus of head injury biomechanics has been the frontal bone. This is due to automotive-related incidents. Thus it is important for researchers to broaden their knowledge on lateral head impacts. This data could ultimately act as a tool in making cranial bone trauma analysis less subjective in nature. This minor dissertation discusses human cranial bones and explores different types of cranial fractures. It further provides an in depth discussion on the different types of experimental tests and specimens used in biomechanical testing. A current review on the literature surrounding head impacts is also provided. The research conducted for this minor dissertation uses the Cape (Chacma) Baboon as a model to attempt to simulate cranial blunt trauma observed in human bone. Fifteen Cape (Chacma) Baboon head specimens were subjected to a single temporo-parietal impact. These specimens were impacted with an aluminium striker bar that resembles the dimensions of a hammer (length: 23cm, circumference: 40cm and weight: 200g). The aim of these hammer tests were to characterise soft and hard tissue wound morphology as a result of blunt cranial impacts. Resulting data was analysed to determine if a significant correlation existed between impact velocity or energy and the extent of trauma observed. The remaining twelve Cape (Chacma) Baboon specimens were all subjected to a single impact in the temporo-parietal region. These specimens were impacted with a Hopkinson pressure bar, which is manufactured from the same material as the striker bar. The aim of the Hopkinson pressure bar tests was to attempt to determine the force of impact. The use of the Hopkinson pressure bar to determine fracture forces in baboon head specimens is novel. The fracture forces obtained in the current study compare well with literature investigating lateral impacts. Furthermore, the fracture patterns obtained in the current study realistically simulate cranial trauma seen in humans. It would therefore be beneficial to advance research using the baboon model and Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus. DA - 2015 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2015 T1 - Investigation of blunt injuries and the force associated with a skull fracture due to impact with a Hopkinson pressure bar : an animal model TI - Investigation of blunt injuries and the force associated with a skull fracture due to impact with a Hopkinson pressure bar : an animal model UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15575 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/15575
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationCoetzé LJ. Investigation of blunt injuries and the force associated with a skull fracture due to impact with a Hopkinson pressure bar : an animal model. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Division of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 2015 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15575en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDivision of Forensic Medicine and Toxicologyen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherBiomedical Forensic Scienceen_ZA
dc.titleInvestigation of blunt injuries and the force associated with a skull fracture due to impact with a Hopkinson pressure bar : an animal modelen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMPhilen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_hsf_2015_coetze_lisa_jane (1).pdf
Size:
3.92 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Collections
Masters