Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Sep 4, 2018
Open Peer Review Period: Sep 9, 2018 - Sep 23, 2018
Date Accepted: Nov 10, 2018
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
System Setup to Deliver Air Impact Forces to a Sheep Limb: Preparation for Model Development of Blast-Related Heterotopic Ossification
ABSTRACT
Background:
Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a significant complication for wounded warriors with traumatic limb loss. Although this pathologic condition negatively impacts the general population, ectopic bone has been observed with higher frequency for service members injured in Iraq and Afghanistan due to blast injuries. Several factors including a traumatic insult, bioburden, tourniquet and wound vacuum usage, and/or bone fractures/fragments have been associated with the increased HO for service members. A large combat-relevant animal model has been needed to further understand ectopic bone etiology and to develop new pragmatic solutions for reducing HO formation and recurrence. As such, this study outlines the optimization of a blast system that may be used to simulate combat-relevant trauma for HO and replicate percussion blast experienced in theatre.
Objective:
N/A
Methods:
The repeatability and reproducibility of an air impact device (AID) was tested at various pressure settings and compared to a model of blunt force trauma for HO induction. The ability of the higher power air delivery system to injure host tissue, displace metal particulate, and disperse bone chips, was assessed in cadaveric sheep limbs.
Results:
Data demonstrated that the air delivery setup generated battlefield-relevant blast forces. When the AID was charged to 40, 80 and 100 PSI, the outputs were 229 ± 13 Newtons (N), 778 ± 50 N, and 1085 ± 114 N respectfully. The blunt force model only proposed 168 ± 11 N. For the 100 PSI AID setup, the force equaled a 5.8 kg charge weight of trinitrotoluene (TNT) at a standoff distance of approximately 2.62 meters, which would replicate a dismounted improvised explosive device (IED) blast in theatre. Dispersion data showed that the delivery system would have the ability to cause host tissue trauma and effectively disperse metal particulate and/or host bone chips in local musculature compared to the standard blunt force model (13 vs. 2 millimeters respectively).
Conclusions:
Data showed that a high pressure air impact device was repeatable/reproducible, had the ability to function as a simulated battlefield blast that can model military HO scenarios, and will allow for factors including blast trauma to translate toward a large animal model.. Clinical Trial: N/A
Citation
Per the author's request the PDF is not available.
Copyright
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