USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Ryan McCulloch

Kirth E Simmonds

Thomas O'Shaughnessy

Amit Bagchi

Clark Mitchell

A modular system is designed to interface cell cultures to a shock tube (simulated blast) and/or drop tower (simulated blunt impact) for testing of helmet and helmet pad materials for mitigating cell injury. It includes a set of layers including helmet material, optionally helmet pad, simulated skin, simulated skull, and simulated bulk brain tissue.

Modular system for evaluating helmet and suspension materials for protection of neural cells from simulated trauma

A system for testing a helmet includes a simulated skull comprising a cranial cavity; a brain surrogate disposed inside the cranial cavity; and a cell pack comprising at least one culture well suitable for three-dimensional growth of live neurons therein, the cell pack comprising a retaining plate having at least one opening exposing a portion of a flexible membrane containing the at least one cell culture well, the exposed membrane portion being substantially flush with an exterior surface of the retaining plate, wherein the brain surrogate is configured to closely surround the cell pack inside the simulated skull. Also disclosed is a method of using the system.

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Alexandria, VA, United States of America

Ryan McCulloch