Bioengineering Laboratory - Research: Spinal Biomechanics

Current / Recent Projects

Pin Force Measurement in a Halo-vest Orthosis

The objective of this investigation was to develop and implement a method to measure the forces generated at the pin-skull interface of a halo-vest orthosis.

Multi-Directional Mechanics of the Spine

This work is unique in that we have now been able to measure the bending properties of the human intervertebral disc about 13 axes rather than the traditional 3 axes. Using technologies that were developed for measuring the in vivo motion of the wrist, we can visualize 3-D motions of the complete skeletal spinal segments tested in vitro.

Stability and Mechanics of the Spine

	Summary: Dr. Crisco's thesis work examined the experimental and theoretical stability under the mentoring of M.M. Panjabi, Ph.D. at Yale University.  Recently we developed a novel apparatus for applying unconstrained compressive loads to the segmental spine during dynamic testing
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Stability and Mechanics of the Spine

Publications

Title: Pin force measurement in a halo-vest orthosis
Summary: The objective of this investigation was to develop and implement a method to measure the forces generated at the pin-skull interface of a halo-vest orthosis
Funding: Cervical Spine Research Society; Orthopaedic Reasearch and Education Foundation

Note: Dr. Crisco's thesis work was completed under the mentoring of M.M. Panjabi, Ph.D. at Yale University and examined the experimental and theoretical stability of the lumbar spine. Drs. Panjabi and Crisco also teamed for many other publications on spinal biomechnaics.

Other publications listed here are those of Doug Moore while he was at University of Michigan.

See the previous page for our more current spine work.

Multi-Directional Mechanics of the Spine

Publications

Title: Multi-Directional Mechanics of the Spine
Summary: This work currently in progress is unique in that we have now been able to measure the bending properties of the human intervertebral disc about 13 axes rather than the traditional 3 axes. Using our technologies that were developed for measuring the in vivo motion of the wrist, we can visualize 3-D motion spinal segments tested in vitro.
Funding: Departmental

This mechanical testing apparatus illustrates a test along the combined axis of left axial rotation and left lateral bending. The ACU (A) is potted in urethane and then assembled in cylindrical specimen holders (B) that are indexed in 45° increments. The holders attach to plates that are indexed with three sets of holes (C1, C2, and C3) at 45° increments. Two zero-backlash universal joints (D), the vertical load control of the actuator (E), and two perpendicular linear bearing tables (F) allow pure bending moments to be applied to the ACU. Load and moment data along three orthogonal axes are acquired with a six axis load cell (G). The entire apparatus fits within a servohydraulic load frame (H).

 

 

Coordinate system showing various moment axes