Smoothed particle hydrodynamics-based simulation of blast injuries in human mandible

Abstract

Objective To establish a smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) model for simulating the process and biomechanical characteristics of blast injuries in human mandible. Methods Based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of the maxillofacial region in human, we established a SPH model of blast injuries in the mandible and masseter muscles and assessed its validity by comparison with a three-dimensional finite element model (FEM). Result The number of particles in the SPH model of mandible is 4 538, which is similar to anatomical structure of human, with less loss of details. The SPH model simulates the explosion damage of mandible and masseter caused by blast wave. The explosion results in the fractures in the left mandibular angle and condyle, and extensively torn in the masseter muscle is. The simulation results are close to the FEM. Conclusion Compared with the FEM model, the SPH model shows obvious advantages in simulating large tissue deformation, crack growth and explosion impact on the mandible, and provides a new method for studying maxillofacial blast injuries.

Keywords

• blast injuries
• mandible
• smoothed particle hydrodynamic mode