Biomechanical study on the impact maxilla injuries

Objective:to analyze biomechanics of impact injury, in the condition of the simulate impact on nasal-maxilla regions in accident. Method:The complex cranial geometry was measured from a series of two-dimensional CT images. The multy-lay spiral CT scans were transformed with a self-developed preprocessor into a finite element mesh. Identical impact and boundary conditions were used for the maxilla impact simulations. Results:It has been shown that the finite element model(FEM) exhibited fine morphological and mechanical comparability. The higher stress was showed in the nasal-maxilla regions and atlas occipital articular in 3d FEM. The maximum von Mises stress was found at the atlas occipital articular. The mandibular stresses were also affected during the maxilla impact, especially in condyle. Conclusions:The shear stress and tension stress in the skull suture and articular would increase the risk of injury. The concentrations of stress and tension stress were might the thought to be one of the main biomechanical mechanisms of impact injury. The FEM is helpful to analyze biomechanics of skull impact injury.