Adjustable Human Surrogate Neck Model with Elastic Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current human surrogate neck models are stiff, difficult to demonstrate kinematic effects, and not adjustable, failing to mimic human tissue properties, limiting their ability to represent various conditions.
Innovation Solution
A biofidelic human surrogate neck model is developed using polymeric materials for vertebrae and silicone gel for muscles, with adjustable elastic tension bands to alter compliance, mimicking the human neck's mechanical properties and allowing for different muscle states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard materials such as metal and hard rubber discs are used to construct the neck model, then structural strength is improved, but biofidelity and ability to mimic human tissue is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials including polymeric materials for vertebrae, silicone gel for muscle and flesh, and elastic bands for ligaments. This combination allows the model to achieve both structural integrity and tissue-like mechanical properties, resolving the contradiction between strength and biofidelity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses materials with specific mechanical parameters that match human tissue characteristics. The polymeric materials are selected to replicate the stiffness and damping properties of actual vertebral bodies, while silicone gel matches the compliance of muscle tissue, thereby achieving biofidelity without sacrificing structural strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If the neck model is made with fixed structural components, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adjustability and versatility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates elastic bands that can be adjusted to change the stiffness and mechanical behavior of the neck model. These bands allow the model to simulate different muscle states (relaxed vs. contracted) and can be tuned to match various human neck conditions, providing adjustability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The neck model is divided into discrete components (vertebrae, discs, muscle groups) that can be independently adjusted. The elastic bands are segmented into multiple groups that can be individually tensioned to simulate different muscle activation patterns, enabling versatility without requiring complete redesign of the entire structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the neck model uses rigid components, then structural stability is improved, but ability to demonstrate kinematic effects is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the neck model. The vertebrae use stiff polymeric materials for structural stability, while the intervertebral discs and muscle groups use compliant materials (silicone gel and elastic bands) that allow realistic kinematic movement. This local differentiation enables both stability and kinematic demonstration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic bands act as intermediaries between the rigid vertebrae, allowing controlled movement and force transmission. These bands provide the necessary compliance to demonstrate kinematic effects while the rigid vertebrae maintain structural stability, effectively mediating between opposing requirements.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional materials are used in the neck model, then cost effectiveness is improved, but ability to mimic human tissue mechanical properties is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials including polymeric materials for vertebrae, silicone gel for muscle and flesh, and elastic bands for ligaments. This combination allows the model to achieve both structural integrity and tissue-like mechanical properties, resolving the contradiction between strength and biofidelity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses materials with specific mechanical parameters that match human tissue characteristics. The polymeric materials are selected to replicate the stiffness and damping properties of actual vertebral bodies, while silicone gel matches the compliance of muscle tissue, thereby achieving biofidelity without sacrificing structural strength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The model effectively mimics human neck responses to both static and dynamic forces, closely matching validated computational models, enabling more realistic testing scenarios such as blast impacts and vehicle crashes.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of elastic tension bands are embedded in the second silicone material. The tension bands are anchored at a top interface and a bottom interface of the human surrogate neck model.
Data Source
AI summary
A human surrogate neck model includes a spinal neck region containing cervical vertebrae. A biosimulant intervertebral material is inserted between the cervical vertebrae. The spinal neck region is surrounded by a first silicone material mixed with a polymeric cross-linking inhibitor. One or more elastic tension bands are anchored to a top interface and a bottom interface of the neck model. A second silicone material mixed with a polymeric cross-linking inhibitor is applied to surround the spinal neck region and the first silicone material and to embed the tension bands. One or more of the elastic tension bands and/or a concentration ratio of the first silicone material or second silicone material to the polymeric cross-linking inhibitor can be adjusted for variable test conditions to closely simulate or mimic the static and dynamic characteristics of a human neck in various scenarios.