Torquing about the spine

Crack your back ... the 3-D spinal map at work. Image provided by DSTO

By Dan Wheelahan

A new 3-D animated mathematical model of the human spine developed by DSTO promises to be the most accurate predictor yet of injury to the spine and associated neuro-muscular tissues.

Challenging existing theories of biomechanics, the Human Biodynamics Engine (HBE) model will radically improve the ability to anticipate the point in time and specific location of potential injuries.

The model was developed by DSTO scientist Dr Vlad Ivancevic to examine the implications of head mounted loads, such as night vision goggles on the performance and well being of soldiers.

The model has been incorporated into its first application, a standalone Windows package known as the Full Spine Simulator, which represents all 25 movable joints of the spine with three rotations and three limited translations at every joint.

Dr Ivancevic said the spinal column is not columnar at all.

“It is a chain of 25 joints each with six degrees of freedom – and the injury is somewhere at one or more of these,” he said.

“It is not ‘in the spine’. With this model we can predict where the injury will occur.”

It can be placed in a dynamic environment with various parameters set to represent body size, strength and endurance.

External factors can also be set, including initial posture, vibration and cyclic motion.

Impacts such as a car crash, ejection or hard landing can also be entered. Load parameters, such as the mass and position of additional loads, can then be added to the body model.

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