BME Team: (from L to R) Justin Hollenbeck, Adam Bradshaw, Justin Brown (RA), Mitch Mologne, Scott Tashman, Colin Smith, Austin Carcia, Alex Brady, Steve Atherton, Brad Fossum (RA), Lauren Watkins.
BME Team: (from L to R) Justin Hollenbeck, Adam Bradshaw, Justin Brown (RA), Mitch Mologne, Scott Tashman, Colin Smith, Austin Carcia, Alex Brady, Steve Atherton, Brad Fossum (RA), Lauren Watkins.
The Institute’s Department of Biomedical Engineering is a multidisciplinary laboratory which applies quantitative, analytical, and integrative methods to the field of orthopaedic medicine. The multitalented research staff integrates clinical care, research, and education with the resources of world-renowned medical doctors in order to improve the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. This focused approach is designed to maintain and enhance athletic performance, health, and quality of life for the professional, semi-professional, collegiate, high school and the recreationally active individual through an emphasis on bench-to-bedside research. The programs provided by the Department of Biomedical Engineering are unique and diverse and they encompass a complete range of services for the physically active or those wishing to return to an active lifestyle after injury.
The Department continues to grow, adding expertise, technology, and equipment, while simultaneously increasing the quality and quantity of research through collaborative efforts with national and international institutions. The SPRI Research and Educational Laboratories, completely renovated in 2017, include a Biomotion Laboratory and a Biomechanical Testing Laboratory. The Biomotion Laboratory incorporates a biplane fluoroscopy and motion capture system complete with a sports performance area and force plates to analyze normal, injured, and treated patients during sporting activity. The Biomechanical Testing laboratory centers around two primary highly accurate and repeatable testing devices: a six-degree of freedom KUKA KR 60-3 robot and an Instron ElectroPuls E10000 linear-torsion testing machine.
Our overall goals are to enhance patient care nationally and internationally with a focus on high-quality research published in top-tier peer reviewed journals.
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
Journals with Publications
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.
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.
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.
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.