Author's School

School of Engineering & Applied Science

Author's Department/Program

Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Language

English (en)

Date of Award

5-24-2012

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Chair and Committee

Philip Bayly

Abstract

The overall objective of this study is to develop magnetic resonance elastography: MRE) imaging to better understand brain deformation, brain tissue mechanical properties, and brain-skull interaction in vivo. The findings of this study provide parameters for numerical models of human head biomechanics, as well as data for validation of these models. Numerical simulations offer enormous potential to the study of traumatic brain injury: TBI) and may also contribute to the development of prophylactic devices for high-risk subjects: e.g., military personnel, first-responders, and athletes). Current numerical models have not been adequately parameterized or validated and their predictions remain controversial. This dissertation describes three kinds of MRE experiments, conducted in phantom: physical model), mouse, and man. Phantom studies provide a means to experimentally confirm the accuracy of MRE estimates of viscoelastic parameters in relatively simple materials and geometries. Studies in the mouse provide insight into the dispersive nature of brain tissue mechanical properties at frequencies beyond those that can be measured in humans. Studies in human subjects provide direct measurements of the human brain's response to dynamic extracranial loads, including skull-brain energy transmission and viscoelastic properties.

Comments

Permanent URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.7936/K79K489R

2012-Clayton-Chpt5-SupMovie.avi (1787 kB)
Chapter 5 Supplementary Movie

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