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A model describing acceleration-induced blackout

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Abstract

A mathematical model is derived that describes oxygen concentration in a retinal capillary in terms of the local rate of oxygen utilization and arterial pressure at eye level. The model is applied to describe the loss of vision that occurs upon exposure to acceleration stress.

As applied to animals, the model provides a qualitative explanation for the appearance of experimentally measured acceleration tolerance curves. As applied to man, it offers an excellent correlation of available data. Furthermore, it provides a mechanism for extrapolating experimental results using idealized exposure patterns to the more complex acceleration patterns encountered by pilots in operational situations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, University of California, 95616, Davis, California

    Nicholas C. Miller & Jerry F. Green

Authors
  1. Nicholas C. Miller
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  2. Jerry F. Green
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Additional information

This work was supported by Air Force Contract No. F44620-72-C-0011.

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Miller, N.C., Green, J.F. A model describing acceleration-induced blackout. Ann Biomed Eng 2, 58–68 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02368086

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02368086

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