The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation

Biomechanics Laboratory

 

Laboratory Overview

The UTMB Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory is devoted to the advancement of clinical care by continuously seeking improved knowledge of musculoskeletal function. The research goals of the lab include enhanced clinical methods through the design and use of new measurement tools for analysis of in vivo biomechanics function. Laboratory research projects focus upon the time honored study of fresh cadaver mechanics augmented with correlative studies using improved structures derived from medical imaging. Results of clinical methods and laboratory studies provide the requisite analytical detail to develop mathematical and computer simulation of the musculoskeletal system. This simulation is a major effort which will culminate in a real time, interactive, 3 dimensional computer graphics model of the human body. The simulation has direct research, educational, and clinical applications in all orthopaedic specialties.

The strengths of the Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory are best understood when looking at the personnel and what they have accomplished with available resources. While individuals have demonstrated significant success, the success came as a result of a genuine team approach to collaborative research. This group effort is enhanced and augmented by the pervading cooperative ambiance of UTMB and by the thrust of the Orthopaedic leadership.

Laboratory Facilities

The Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory is housed in new facilities (2004) within the Rebecca Sealy Hospital at UTMB.  The lab is in close proximity to the orthopaedic clinics and the main orthopaedics department.   The workspace consists of several laboratories, an electronics shop, the bone physiology laboratory, and the accompanying staff offices and student workstations.

The "wet" lab is primarily for anatomy and physiology studies using fresh frozen and embalmed cadaver specimens.  The lab includes  a walk-in -4 degree C freezer with an adjoining cold room.  Thus, we can perform anatomy studies on many specimens and are equipped to measure many physiological functions and variables such as joint pressure, range of motion, moment arms, tendon force and tendon excursion, to name a few.

The materials testing and biomechanics lab is equipped with a biaxial MTS® 858 Mini-Bionix materials testing machine.  The Mini-Bionix is a computer controlled, servohydraulic system capable of  measuring axial forces up to 10,000N and torsional forces up to 100Nm.  Axial and rotational displacement can also be measured and there are attachments for measuring strain, as well.  This system gives us the ability to test some of the smallest tissues such as interosseous membranes, tendons and ligaments, joint systems and large bones like the femur and spine.

The motion analysis lab is equipped for the performance of kinematic studies, both is cadaver specimens and living subjects.  The system, from Motion Analysis Corp., consists of 6 CCD analog cameras, monitor bank, 4 calibration analogs and the most up to date kinematic analysis software.  With this setup we can record motion in cadaver specimens at the joint level, physiologic movement in live subjects, and simple gait analysis.  An important addition to our motion study capabilities is an 8-channel portable EMG (electromyography) system and a 4-channel research EMG system. 

There is also laboratory space near the Pediatric Orthopaedic Division in the Children's Hospital that contains a wet lab with an older uniaxial MTS materials testing system, and a machine shop which houses a milling machine, lathe, drill press, band saw, and other fabrication equipment essential to biomechanics research support. Additional shop facilities are available elsewhere at UTMB and can be accessed as necessary.

Research from the Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory has been presented in many peer-reviewed journals, proceedings, and research presentations at local, national, and international conferences.  The laboratory is a proud supporter of the Houston Society for Engineering in Medicine and Biology (HSEMB), and presents various studies at the annual Conference on Biomedical Engineering Research.

 

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This site published by Randal Morris (rmorris@utmb.edu) for The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. 

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