Title: In silico investigation of blast-induced intracranial fluid cavitation as it potentially leads to traumatic brain injury

Abstract

In this paper, we conducted computational macroscale simulations predicting blast-induced intracranial fluid cavitation possibly leading to brain injury. To further understanding of this problem, we developed microscale models investigating the effects of blast-induced cavitation bubble collapse within white matter axonal fiber bundles of the brain. We model fiber tracks of myelinated axons whose diameters are statistically representative of white matter. Nodes of Ranvier are modeled as unmyelinated sections of axon. Extracellular matrix envelops the axon fiber bundle, and gray matter is placed adjacent to the bundle. Cavitation bubbles are initially placed assuming an intracranial wave has already produced them. Pressure pulses, of varied strengths, are applied to the upper boundary of the gray matter and propagate through the model, inducing bubble collapse. Simulations, conducted using the shock wave physics code CTH, predict an increase in pressure and von Mises stress in axons downstream of the bubbles after collapse. This appears to be the result of hydrodynamic jetting produced during bubble collapse. Interestingly, results predict axon cores suffer significantly lower shear stresses from proximal bubble collapse than does their myelin sheathing. Finally, simulations also predict damage to myelin sheathing, which, if true, degrades axonal electrical transmissibility and general health of themore » white matter structures in the brain.« less

Authors:

Haniff, S.  ^[1];

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Taylor, P. A. ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Publication Date:

Tue Oct 17 00:00:00 EDT 2017

Research Org.:

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); Office of Naval Research (ONR) (United States)

OSTI Identifier:

1421630

Report Number(s):

SAND2018-0037J
Journal ID: ISSN 0938-1287; PII: 765

Grant/Contract Number:  

NA0003525; N0001414IP20020

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Shock Waves

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 27; Journal Issue: 6; Journal ID: ISSN 0938-1287

Publisher:

Springer

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; 71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; traumatic brain injury (TBI); microscale model; cavitation; virtual simulation