A Hyper-Viscoelastic Continuum-Level Finite Element Model of the Spinal Cord Assessed for Transverse Indentation and Impact Loading

Finite Element (FE) modelling of spinal cord response to impact can provide unique insights into the neural tissue response and injury risk potential. Yet, contemporary human body models (HBMs) used to examine injury risk and prevention across a wide range of impact scenarios often lack detailed integration of the spinal cord and surrounding tissues. The integration of a spinal cord in contemporary HBMs has been limited by the need for a continuum-level model owing to the relatively large element size required to be compatible with HBM, and the requirement for model development based on published material properties and validation using relevant non-linear material data. The goals of this study were to develop and assess non-linear material model parameters for the spinal cord parenchyma and pia mater, and incorporate these models into a continuum-level model of the spinal cord with a mesh size conducive to integration in HBM. First, hyper-viscoelastic material properties based on tissue-level mechanical test data for the spinal cord and hyperelastic material properties for the pia mater were determined. Secondly, the constitutive models were integrated in a spinal cord segment FE model validated against independent experimental data representing transverse compression of the spinal cord-pia mater complex (SCP) under quasi-static indentation and dynamic impact loading. The constitutive model parameters were fit to a quasi-linear viscoelastic model with an Ogden hyperelastic function, and then verified using single element test cases corresponding to the experimental strain rates for the spinal cord (0.32–77.22 s(−1)) and pia mater (0.05 s(−1)). Validation of the spinal cord model was then performed by re-creating, in an explicit FE code, two independent ex-vivo experimental setups: 1) transverse indentation of a porcine spinal cord-pia mater complex and 2) dynamic transverse impact of a bovine SCP. The indentation model accurately matched the experimental results up to 60% compression of the SCP, while the impact model predicted the loading phase and the maximum deformation (within 7%) of the SCP experimental data. This study quantified the important biomechanical contribution of the pia mater tissue during spinal cord deformation. The validated material models established in this study can be implemented in computational HBM.