Title: In vitro Failure of Ligaments with Constant Impact Energy
Summary: Ligament injuries occur from impacts. While the rate of loading is known to have dramatic effects on ligament behavior, impact loading has not been previously studied. This study examines the influence of impact, which more closely mimics clinical injury mechanisms, on the mechanical properties of ligamentous tissue. The data from this study will be used to develop a proposal for external Funding.
Funding: Departmental

Title: The efficacy of repairing meniscal defects in a rabbit model.
Summary: Left untreated, the meniscal injuries of the knee have minimal repair capabilities. The small intestine submucosa (SIS) of the pig has been demonstrated to promote repair in tissue ranging from arteries to tendons. This study was designed to evaluate the repair capabilities of SIS in an animal model.
Funding: Depuy, Inc.

Title: The Efficacy of Repairing Meniscal Defects in a Goat Model
Summary: SIS has been used with success in a number of soft tissue repair applications. This pilot study evaluated the efficacy of SIS for the repair of large (~70%) meniscal defects in goats. Data generated thus far suggests that SIS may have utility as graft material for treating large meniscal lesions.
Funding: Industry

Title: Tissue engineered ligament for the replacement of medial collateral ligaments in rabbit.
Summary: This study will help determine whether a new tissue engineered ligament construct may have utility as a graft material for the replacement of ligamentous structures. In particular, rabbit medial collateral ligaments (MCLs) will be replaced with scaffold material or scaffolds seeded with cultured autologous cells.
Funding: Industry