An MRI-derived head-neck finite element model.

Abstract

This study aimed to develop and validate a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived biofidelic head-neck finite element (FE) model comprised of scalp, skull, CSF, brain, dura mater, pia mater, cervical vertebrae, and disks, 14 ligaments, and 42 neck muscles. We developed this model using head and neck MRI images of a healthy male participant and by implementing a novel brain hexahedral meshing algorithm and a scalp erosion model. The model was validated by replicating three experimental studies: Alshareef's brain sonomicrometry study, NBDL's high-acceleration profile, and Ito's frontal impact cervical vertebrae study. The results also showed that the segmented geometries of the model aligned closely with the literature data (within 3 $\sigma$ limit). The brain displacement results of the model aligned well (r = 0.48-0.96) with those reported in Alshareef's experimental study. The head-neck kinematic responses of the model showed a strong correlation (r > 0.97) with the NBDL's experimental results. The simulation of Ito's experimental condition yielded peak shear strain values of the cervical spine within 1 $\sigma$ of the experimental data. Our developed head-neck FE model provides an effective computational platform for advancing brain and head injury biomechanics research and evaluating protective equipment in various impact scenarios.