A Numerical Method to Compute Brain Injury Associated to Concussion

TL;DR

This paper introduces a numerical Peak Virtual Power method using the THUMS head model to predict brain injury severity in concussions, aiding helmet design and injury prevention.

Contribution

It presents a novel numerical approach for assessing brain injury risk in concussions, improving prediction accuracy over existing methods.

Findings

Mild and severe concussions can be prevented with PVP below 0.928mW and 9.405mW.

No concussion occurs in vertical impacts with PVP less than 1.184mW.

The method offers a new paradigm for helmet design and injury assessment.

Abstract

This research proposes a new a numerical method to compute brain injury associated with concussion using the Peak Virtual Power method, using the THUMS 4.02 head model. The results indicate that mild and severe concussions could be prevented for lateral collisions and frontal impacts with PVP values lower than 0.928mW and 9.405mW, respectively, and no concussion would happen in the head vertical direction for a PVP value less than 1.184mW. This innovative method proposes a new paradigm to improve helmet designs, assess sports injuries and improve people's wellbeing.