Biomedical Engineering

Mechanical Testing

• Kuka KR-60: Our 6 degree-of-freedom (DOF) robotic arm (Kuka KR-60-3, Kuka Robotics, Augsburg, Germany) is equipped with a universal force torque sensor (Delta F/T Transducer, ATI Industrial Automation, Apex, NC), allowing us to robotically test cadaveric human joints and gain insight into their kinematics. In a typical setup, one end of the cadaveric human joint is securely fixed to a pedestal, while the other end is held in the end effector of the robotic arm allowing the robot to move the joint.

  • Evaluation of Joint Kinematics: To evaluate joint kinematics (the study of describing movement using location, time, velocity, and acceleration measurements), we use the robot to submit the joint to specific forces while measuring displacements and rotations in all three dimensions. This gives us data showing how the joint behaves in terms of range of motion, stiffness and response to standardized clinical tests usually performed by surgeons. Main advantages of using a robotic system compared to evaluating joint kinematics by hand include accuracy, repeatability and autonomy.

  • Cutting Studies: The aim of cutting studies is to identify the effects of joint structures, such as tendons and ligaments, on joint kinematics. To accomplish this, we begin by evaluating the intact joint kinematics as a reference and then proceed to sequentially cut the structures we wish to study, re-evaluating joint kinematics after each cut. This allows us to draw conclusions about which structures are primary and secondary stabilizers for given joint motions.

  • Reconstruction Studies: The aim of reconstruction studies is to evaluate the performance of surgical procedures on restoring joint kinematics after an injury. To accomplish this, we begin by evaluating the intact joint kinematics as a reference, then simulate a joint injury, and finally perform a reconstruction evaluating joint kinematics after each state. Successful reconstructions are those that present minimal kinematic differences compared to the intact state, because this shows that the joint’s motion is close to the way it was prior to injury.

• Instron E10000: Our dynamic testing machine (Instron ElectroPuls E10000, Instron Systems, Norwood, MA) is a state-of-the-art, accurate, and repeatable all-electric test instrument designed for dynamic and static testing on a wide range of materials and components. The Instron has 2 degrees of freedom that subsequently allows for movement in two axes (push/pull and twist/turn). Similar to the Kuka, the Instron allows researchers to evaluate joint biomechanics and surgical techniques related to the body’s major joints in a streamlined fashion.

Biomotion

• SPRI’s Biomotion Lab utilizes state-of-the-art equipment used for 3D analysis of human movement. Studies performed in this lab focus on being proactive in the following areas:
  • Preventing injury occurrences by evaluating efficiency of movement
  • Assessing dynamic joint function
  • Evaluating surgical and physical therapy outcomes
  • Managing physical therapy rehabilitation progression
  • Measuring the effectiveness of durable medical equipment
  • Gaining knowledge of pathologies and their influence on sports performance
  • Enhancing performance technique

• Equipment
  • 4 in-ground Bertec force plates
  • 18-Camera Qualisys motion capture system
  • 16-Channel Delsys Trigno Wireless EMG
  • Bertec Force Plate Instrumented Treadmill
  • APDM wearable sensor system
  • Athos EMG shorts
  • Orpyx LogR Gen 2 pressure measurement system
  • Dynamic Stereo X-ray system

• Software
  • Qualisys Track Manager
  • Visual 3D
  • Mimics
  • Matlab
  • Labview

Surgical Skills

• Visit Surgical Skills Department Page

• 2017 – Cabaud Memorial Award (AOSSM)
  Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma Immediately Post-injury to Accelerate Ligament Healing was not Successful in An In Vivo Animal Model
  LaPrade RF, Goodrich L, Phillips J, Dornan GJ, Turnbull TL, Dahl KD, Coggins AN, Kisiday J, Frisbie D, Chahla J

• 2017 – Achilles Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Research Award (ISAKOS)
  The Lateral Meniscus Posterior Root and Meniscofemoral Ligaments are Stabilizing Structures in the ACL Deficient Knee: A Biomechanical Study
  Moatshe G, Frank JM, Brady AW, Dornan GJ, Slette EL, Coggins AN, Muckenhirn KJ, Mikula JD, Turnbull TL, LaPrade RF

• 2017 – Best Scientific Exhibit (AAOS)
  Optimization of Tunnel Position and Orientation in Complex Multiple Knee Ligament Reconstructions: Preoperative Planning and Intraoperative Techniques
  Brady AW, Chahla J, Engebretsen L, LaPrade RF, Moatshe G, Provencher MT, Slette EL, Turnbull TL

• 2016 – Basic Scientist Travel Grant (ESSKA)
  Robotic Assessment of Anterolateral Ligament: Reconstruction of the Anterolateral and Anterior Cruciate Ligament
  Dornan G, Rasmussen M, Nitri M, Williams B, Moulton S, Cruz R, Goldsmith M, LaPrade RF

• 2016 – Excellence in Research (AOSSM)
  Anatomic Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction of the Knee Leads to Overconstraint at any Fixation Angle
  Schon JM, Moatshe G, Brady AW, Cruz RS, Chahla J, Dornan GJ, Turnbull TL, Engebretsen L, LaPrade RF

• 2015 - Achilles Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Research Award (ISAKOS)
  Biomechanical Consequences of a Nonanatomic Posterior Medial Meniscus Root Repair After a Root Tear
  LaPrade CM, Foad A, Smith SD, Turnbull TL, Dornan GJ, Engebretsen L, Wijdicks CA, LaPrade RF

• 2014 – Excellence in Research (AOSSM)
  Posterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Fixation Angles: Biomechanical Evaluation for Single- and Double-Bundle Reconstruction
  Kennedy NI, Goldsmith MT, Faucett SC, Rasmussen MT, Coatney GA, Engebretsen L, Wijdicks CA

• 2013 - Richard Villar Trainee Excellence in Clinical Research Award (ISHA)
  The Effect of an Acetabular Labral Tear, Repair, Resection, and Reconstruction on the Hip Fluid Seal
  Nepple JJ, Philippon MJ, Campbell KJ, Dornan GJ, Jansson KS, LaPrade RF, Wijdicks CA

• 2013 – Albert Trillat Young Investigator’s Award (ISAKOS)
  Biomechanical Consequences of a Complete Radial Tear Near the Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Attachment Site: In-Situ Pullout Repair Restores Derangement of Joint Mechanics
  Padalecki JR, Jansson KS, Smith SD, Dornan GJ, Pierce C, Wijdicks CA, LaPrade RF

Conference Attendance

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
• American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS)
• American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
• European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery, and Arthroscopy (ESSKA)
• International Society for Hip Arthroscopy (ISHA)
• International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery, and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS)
• World Congress of Biomechanics (WCB)

Journals with Publications

• American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM)
• Arthroscopy
• Foot and Ankle International (FAI)
• Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS)
• Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy (KSSTA)

The Education and Public Outreach Committee (EPOC) was established by SPRI to inspire the next generation of scientists through exposure to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). We have one of the most advanced Biomedical engineering and surgical education laboratories in the world, and our objective is to offer our Eagle County students exposure to a world-class scientific research program and hopefully light the Spark! Our SPRI team offers laboratory tours, scientific presentations, judging at local science fairs, and mentoring of student projects. With our three-tiered program, EPOC is designed to reach students from 5th grade through high school.

• 5th Grade – SPRI Laboratory Tours

  • Three times a year, we open up our various laboratories to local 5th grade classrooms and allow them to see the important aspects of the SPRI labs used by our scientists and doctors. Students receive an interactive experience and Q&A sessions with SPRI scientists at each of the stations.

• 6-8th Grade – School Visits by SPRI Scientists

  • Our dedicated scientists and researchers happily visit schools for classroom or assembly lectures to inform students about the cutting-edge research taking place at SPRI. Presentations inform 6-8th grade students about the musculoskeletal system, orthopaedics, biomechanical research, and how the scientific method is applied to real world, scientific problems. SPRI researchers also participate as judges at local, middle school science fairs.

• High School

  • Science Club: Two students from each Eagle County high school, in grades 11-12, are selected by their respective science teachers to participate in SPRI’s high school science club under the mentorship of SPRI researchers. Teams complete two small-scale research projects during the fall semester, which introduces them to the process of planning, conducting, writing, and presenting research. In the spring semester, teams choose a unique, single project to develop and present to professional researchers, scientists, and clinicians at the end of the academic year.

  • Summer Scholars Program: Four students from each Eagle County high school (20 total), in grades 11-12, participate in a week-long experience while engaging with engineers, scientists, researchers, and clinicians at SPRI.  This program provides hands-on activities in all of SPRI's research departments and the opportunity to learn about different careers in the medical field from professionals at The Steadman Clinic. 

Jobs:

• The Biomedical Engineering team recruits talented, passionate, dedicated professionals for various roles including permanent staff and research assistants. The information below describes our current programs and includes links to job postings, where applicable.
   
• Permanent Staff Job Postings
  • No job postings are available, currently; thank you for your interest in the SPRI BME Department.
     
• Research Assistants
  • Job Summary: Research Assistants provide technical, scientific, and general operational support to Biomedical Engineering research projects. Typical responsibilities include: research project planning and design, data acquisition, data processing/analysis, manuscript drafting and submission, and preparation of abstracts/posters/presentations. Specific activities vary by assignment. Additionally, the Research Assistant will occasionally support the activities of the SPRI Surgical Skills Laboratory. The Research Assistant job is extremely competitive with only approximately 4 openings, annually. Summer Research Assistantships are occasionally offered and are equally competitive with very limited openings, pending availability. All Research Assistantships start in May/June and last for a duration of 1 year or 3 months (summer).
     
  • Application Process: applications are accepted between December 1 to March 31, annually (early and/or late applications will not be considered). Please note that an initial evaluation of current applications will occur on February 1, with corresponding phase 2 and Skype interviews occurring between February 15-28. Initial selections will be finalized on March 1. If there are remaining openings, a second evaluation of all applications will be conducted on April 1.
     
  • Job Postings:
    Click here to apply for: BME Summer Research Assistant
    Click here to apply for: BME Research Assistant (Robotics Lab)
    Click here to apply for: BME Research Assistant (Biomotion Lab)