2018-19 CDMI Projects
Identifying Risk Factors for Pseudarthrosis
Identify risk factors for pseudoarthrosis using computational analysis of radiographs. Computer learning will be applied in order to determine if computational models can be created in order to predict pain scores and clinical outcomes, and later, reoperation in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery.
Principal Investigator: Sigurd Berven, MD
Trainee: Kevin Taliaferro, MD
Clinical Outcomes
Biomechanical Investigation of Exoskeletons for Low Back Support
Exoskeletons are countermeasures that have the potential to reduce the risk of occupational injuries and increase worker productivity. Various exoskeletons are commercially available, but relatively few studies have examined their benefits or, more importantly, their potential drawbacks. The objective of this study is to evaluate the biomechanical loads on the spines of subjects using two commercially available exoskeletons designed for low back support while performing realistic occupational exertions.
Principal Investigator: William Marras, PhD
Trainee: Greg Knapik
Development of a Protocol to Evaluate Growth Rods in a Missing Vertebra Model
The original F1717 (FDA) and ISO 12189 protocols were designed with an intent for testing spinal devices, Figure 1A, B and C. These guidelines were modified to accommodate evaluation of posterior dynamic systems/non-fusion spinal devices, Figure 1B. More recently, growth rods have been introduced for the treatment of pediatric scoliotic patients. The key biomechanical requirement of growth rods is its dynamic endurance for 5-10 years (12-25 million cycles) in the body. Therefore, given the unsuitability of the Missing Vertebra Model (F1717 – ASTM) for the evaluation of growth rods, and the high rate of ongoing mechanical failures (15-25%), a new protocol is necessary. The aim of this project to develop the protocol, undertake testing of a device and compare the outcome with missing vertebra model tests undertaken by FDA, and our group, retrieval data from FDA.
Principal Investigator: Vijay Goel, PhD
Trainee: Niloufar Shekouhi – Graduate Student
Effect of Tapered Bone Cement Injection on the PJK in a Finite Element Model with Muscle Forces
The rib cage substantially stabilizes the thoracic region of the spine and thus limits ranges of motion in all planes. In order to understand the in-depth biomechanics of the thoracic spine, a finite element model with the ribcage and muscles forces is required to simulate in vivo scenarios. The proposal is an extension of the currently funded project in which the biomechanical effects of tapered bone cement at the adjacent segments of long instrumented constructs on PJK are being pursued. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the biomechanics of the prophylactic vertebroplasty using tapered bone cement dosage in a finite element model of the spine with ribcage and muscle forces.
Principal Investigator: Vijay Goel, PhD
Trainees: Anoli Shah – PhD candidate, Manoj K Kodigudla, Amey Kelkar
Spino-pelvic Biomechanics for the Treatment of Spinal Disorders- A Finite Element Study
Providing correct sagittal balance by surgical correction of a spinal deformity is of paramount importance. Thus, the biomechanics of the instrumentation of different levels of lumbar spine and other surgical procedures for different alignment models and the possibility of proximal and distal junction kyphoses for each alignment need researched. The main aim of this study is to understand the relationships among the instrumentation of lumbar spine/ surgical procedures and sagittal imbalance using finite element analyses.
Principal Investigator: Vijay Goel, PhD
Trainee: Muzammil Mumtaz – PhD candidate
Biomechanics
Dynamic Joint Motions in Occupational Environments as Indicators of Injury Risk
A common request from industry is simple-to-use and cost-effective technologies that can be in real work environments to objectively monitor injury risk. However, very few validated tools exist. We propose developing a more comprehensive and cost-effective objective risk-monitoring platform that measures and interprets dynamic kinematics to identify injury risk for the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and shoulders. We focus on injuries to these joints because they represent the most disabling and costly musculoskeletal conditions our industry partners face.
Principal Investigator: William Marras, PhD
Trainee: Jon Dufour
Pedicle Screw Handling During Surgery Contribute to Bioburden and Potential Approaches to Reduce Rate of Infection in Patients– A Multi-Center Study
In recent years, there has been considerable interest in refining aseptic techniques, such as intraoperative handling of implantable devices, in order to reduce the bioburden being transmitted to the patients, a majority of whom are also immunocompromised. The purpose of this study was 2-fold, to evaluate the bioburden and the species of bacteria present on each pedicle screw being implanted, and the efficacy of an intraoperative guard in reducing such occurrences, in a multi-center study.
Principal Investigator: Anand Agarwal, MD
Trainee: TBD
Pedicle Screw Handling During Surgery Contribute to Bioburden and Potential Approaches to Reduce Rate of Infection in Patients– A Multi-Center Study
In recent years, there has been considerable interest in refining aseptic techniques, such as intraoperative handling of implantable devices, in order to reduce the bioburden being transmitted to the patients, a majority of whom are also immunocompromised. The purpose of this study was 2-fold, to evaluate the bioburden and the species of bacteria present on each pedicle screw being implanted, and the efficacy of an intraoperative guard in reducing such occurrences, in a multi-center study.
Principal Investigator: Anand Agarwal, MD
Trainee: TBD
Innovative Devices/Tools/Equipment or Surgical Technique Evaluation
Other
Improvement of Push/Pull Force Assessments using a Single‐Axis Force Gauge
Pushing and pulling during manual materials handling presents a high risk for low back disorders. Measuring push-pull hand forces requires use of a force gauge. The objective of this study is to provide recommendations for practitioners regarding push/pull force assessments that improve the accuracy and precision of hand force estimates.
Principal Investigator: William Marras, PhD
Trainee: Eric Weston, Graduate Student
Developing Ergonomic Slotting Guidelines for Piece-Pick Product Selection in Distribution Centers
Systems to identify appropriate slotting locations for goods in distribution centers typically focus on order frequency and minimizing item travel distance. The overall goal of this project is develop and validate a slotting methodology that optimizes facility efficiency while also minimizing physical demands on case pickers.
Principal Investigator: Steve Lavender, PhD
Low-intensity Pulsed Ultrasound as a Novel Therapy for Disc Repair and Reduction of Disc Degeneration
Damage and tears in the intervertebral disc (IVD) are associated with pain and disability and are related to risk of disc herniation and degeneration. Repairing these defects is difficult due to the limited intrinsic healing capacity of the IVD, and furthermore, current therapies for stimulating healing such as intradiscal growth factor and stem cell injections are invasive and have shown limited success rates. This project will investigate the efficacy of a novel, non-invasive technique: delivering Low-intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) extracorporeally to repair disc tissue defects and reduce the rate of disc degeneration and low back pain by stimulating matrix metabolism.
Principal Investigators: Jeffrey Lotz, PhD; Christian Diederich, PhD
Trainee: Devante Horne - PhD Candidate
Magnetic Injectable Self-Setting Calcium Phosphate Cement (CPC) Compositions for Hyperthermia Treatment of Bone Tumors
Common treatments for sarcomas include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. However, most of these treatments are highly invasive, non-responsive, and result in a significant collateral damage. The proposed effort will result in a minimally invasive procedure without the need of radiation therapy, and generate localized heat in situ. The magnetic compositions are achieved by doping injectable, self-setting calcium phosphate cement (CPC) compositions with iron. A monetite-based (Dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, DCPA) CPC composition will be used for this purpose. The microstructure, setting times, injectablility, biocompatibility, and bioactivity will be evaluated. Also, proof-of-concept for the self-set cement to generate localized temperature, which should be high enough to destroy tumors without causing collateral harm to local tissues will be provided.
Principal Investigator: Sarit Bhaduri, PhD
Trainee: Ethel Ruskin – Graduate student