Modeling Post-Impact Injury Propagation in Traumatic Brain Injury

In this paper, we investigate the effect of mechanical deformation during original impact on the propagation of bleeds during traumatic brain injury (TBI). For this purpose, we have developed a numerical framework that considers Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) of a rat subjected to TBI modelled using controlled cortical impact (CCI). Using the MRI images of first day of impact a solid model of brain is developed and strains during impact are estimated using the finite element tool LSDyna. It was observed that the actual propagation of blood obtained from day 14 MRI data closely resembles the one developed by solving a time dependent advection equation with advection rates proportional to the strain estimates during impact from LSDyna. This numerical framework holds promise that with proper calibration and validation it can be used to predict the possible propagation of blood post-impact and therefore may be used to inform treatment protocols for such patients.