Experimental and computational approach to human brain modelling – aHEAD

Abstract

The human head is a highly complex structure, with a combination of hard and soft tissues and a variety of materials and interactions. Many researchers have used computational approaches to model the head, and several human finite element head models can be found in the literature. However, most of them are not geometrically accurate – for instance, the brain is simplified to a smooth spherical volume, which poses some concerns regarding boundary conditions and geometrical accuracy. Therefore, an advanced head model of a 28-year-old, designated as aHEAD 28 yo (aHEAD: advanced Head models for safety Enhancement And medical Development), has been developed. The model consists entirely of hexahedral elements for 3D structures of the head such as the cerebellum, skull and cerebrum, with detailed geometry of the gyri and sulci. Additionally, it is one of the first human head approaches published in the literature that includes cerebrospinal fluid simulated by Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) and a detailed model of pressurized bridging veins. To support the model’s credibility, this study is focused on physical material testing. A novel comprehensive experimental-computational approach is presented, which involves the brain tissue’s response to induced vibrations. The experiment successfully aimed to validate the material models used in the numerical analysis. Additionally, the authors present a kinematical model validation based on the Hardy experimental cadaver test. The developed model, along with its verification, aims to establish a further benchmark in finite element head modelling and can potentially provide new insights into injury mechanisms.

Computational Modelling and Biomechanical Analysis of Age-Related Craniocerebral Injuries: Insights into Bridging Veins

“…The development of numerical models representing the human heads of a 77-yearold and a 28-year-old involved several stages, including the acquisition of medical imaging data and the progression through geometric segmentation. This comprehensive process of obtaining, discretizing, and validating finite element method (FEM) models was presented in previous studies by the authors [28,29]. The building model method can be described in short: Medical Data Acquisition and Craniometry ⮕ Computer-Aided 3D Modelling and Structure Separation ⮕ Finite Element Modelling with Experimental and Submodel Tests ⮕ Detailed Modelling of CNS Structures ⮕ Verification Tests ⮕ Bridging Veins Strain Comparison.…”

“…A detailed description of the numerical modelling, as well as the material model comparison, is available in the authors' previous study regarding a 28-year-old head model [29]. respiratory failure occurred.…”

“…The development of numerical models representing the human heads of a 77-yearold and a 28-year-old involved several stages, including the acquisition of medical imaging data and the progression through geometric segmentation. This comprehensive process of obtaining, discretizing, and validating finite element method (FEM) models was presented in previous studies by the authors [28,29] It is worth underlining that the evaluation presented in this study is examined with strict cooperation between engineers and medical doctors. The medical data were collected, and specific regions of interest, crucial to understanding vascular haemorrhage pathomechanisms, were identified.…”

“…A detailed description of the numerical modelling, as well as the material model comparison, is available in the authors' previous study regarding a 28-year-old head model [29]. A detailed description of the numerical modelling, as well as the material model comparison, is available in the authors' previous study regarding a 28-year-old head model [29].…”

“…These data are presented in Table 1. The material data for a 28-year-old person were presented in our previous publication by Ptak et al [29].…”