Penetration of Energized Metal Fragments to Porcine Thoracic Tissues

Abstract

Energised fragments from explosive devices have been the most common mechanism of injury to both military personnel and civilians in recent conflicts and terrorist attacks. Fragments that penetrate into the thoracic cavity are strongly associated with death due to the inherent vulnerability of the underlying structures. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of fragment-simulating projectiles (FSPs) to tissues of the thorax in order to identify the thresholds of impact velocity for perforation through these tissues and the resultant residual velocity of the FSPs. A gas-gun system was used to launch 0.78-g cylindrical and 1.13-g spherical FSPs at intact porcine thoracic tissues from different impact locations. The sternum and rib bones were the most resistant to perforation, followed by the scapula and intercostal muscle. For both FSPs, residual velocity following perforation was linearly proportional to impact velocity. These findings can be used in the development of numerical tools for predicting the medical outcome of explosive events, which in turn can inform the design of public infrastructure, of personal protection, and of medical emergency response.

Cortical bone continuum damage mechanics constitutive model with stress triaxiality criterion to predict fracture initiation and pattern

“…It is important to note that very high rate loading such as that encountered in blast exposure or ballistic impact may result in less well-defined fracture patterns, and more comminuted fracture. For example, exposure to antipersonnel landmines often results in comminuted fractures of foot and long bones ( Cronin et al, 2011 ) while ballistic impacts on bone may result in drill-hole type fractures in the ribs and sternum ( Nguyen et al, 2022 ).…”

Characterization and modeling of partial-thickness cutaneous injury from debris-simulating kinetic projectiles

“…During impact, skin provides enhanced perforation resistance to underlying muscle 32 , but is also crushed, lacerated, and harmed by the temporary wound cavity 36 , 37 . Research evaluating blast debris and fragmenting munition impact also tends to focus on tissue perforation and resulting infection or musculoskeletal risks 21 , 38 – 40 . However, there exist surprisingly few studies considering the full biomechanical complexity of human skin in relation to fragment impacts causing non-perforating, partial-thickness cutaneous injury.…”