Our work is focused on the in vivo study of the normal, pathological, and healing musculoskeletal joint. Measurement of biomechanical variables such as 3D kinematics, ligament strain, and joint contact are performed with our novel in vivo methods using sequential CT scans. Earlier studies on ligament impact biomechanics and muscle contusion injuries examined the basic science of injuries. Applied work on injuries has led to the development of a telemetry system for measuring head acceleration in athletes and to a study of the performance differences between wood and aluminum baseball bats. Current studies are aimed at in vivo cartilage strains, mechanotransduction of chondrocytes, and the multi-directional biomechanics of the spine.

Biography

Dr. J.J. Trey Crisco's research interests are in musculoskeletal biomechanics where he has developed advanced imaging modalities for the study of in vivo joint mechanics, studied spine biomechanics and injury prevention in sports. His current primary work is focused on the normal and pathological mechanics underlying the function of the human wrist. This work expanding to applied and related areas including comparative biomechanics, wrist implant design, toy technologies for upper extremity pediatric rehabilitation. His work has been primarily funded by the NIH and has resulted in over 114 peer-reviewed publications. He serves on several NIH study sections, the editorial boards, and the scientific advisory committees of International Federation of Women's Lacrosse, US Lacrosse and USA Baseball. Dr. Crisco is a former President of the American Society of Biomechanics. He has taught Basic Biomechanics and Product Design and Development, a joint effort between Industrial Design Department at RISD and Engineering at Brown University.

Institutions

Yale University

Research Description

Our most recent work is focused on the in vivo study of the normal, pathological, and healing musculoskeletal joint. Measurement of biomechanical variables such as 3D kinematics, ligament strain, and joint contact are performed with our novel in vivo methods using sequential CT scans. Earlier studies on ligament impact biomechanics and muscle contusion injuries examined the basic science of injuries. Applied work on injuries has lead to the development of a telemetry system for measuring head acceleration in athletes and to a study of the performance differences between wood and aluminum baseball bats. Current studies are aimed at in vivo cartilage strains, mechanotransduction of chondrocytes, and the multi-directional biomechanics of the spine.

I also consult on injury prevention and protective sports equipment to manufacturers and various governing bodies including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE), USA Baseball, US Lacrosse, and the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Association.

Awards

Most Collaborative Poster Award- RI Science and Technology Advisory Council, RI Research Alliance Symposium. Providence, RI, June 3, 2008 "Toys and Technologies for Pediatric Upper Extremity Rehabilitation." Crisco JJ, Kerman K, D'Andrea S, Nichols K, Durfee D.

Mimics Innovation Award- Medical Innovations Conference. Vienna, Austria May 30-31, 2008. "Quantitative MR imaging using 'LiveWire' to measure tibiofemoral articular cartilage thickness." Bowers ME, Trinh N, Tung GA, Crisco JJ, and Kimia BB, Fleming BC.

TIME Magazine's The Best Inventions of the Year. November 12, 2007, page 86. HITS Football Helmet. Crisco JJ Inventor. Produced by Simbex, LLC, sold by Riddell, Inc.

The Emanuel Kaplan Award presented by the New York Society for Surgery of the Hand, ASSH Annual Meeting, Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, DC, 2006.

First Place Poster, Hip Category, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, "Mechanical Comparison of Acetabular Revision Constructs for the Treatment of Pelvic Discontinuity", Hur J, Coburn JC, Moore DC, Crisco JJ, Bliss JM, Limbird RS, 2005.

Bruce M. Selya Award for Research Excellence, Lifespan 11th Annual Research Celebration, Providence, RI Crisco,JJ, 2003.

Winner in the Health Sports Category, ispo-TUM Academic Challenge Award, Greenwald R, Crisco JJ, Bertoni D, Chu J, 2003.

Best Scientific Content Award, 56th Annual Meeting, ASSH, Baltimore, MD, "Interactive Visualization of 3D Carpal Kinematics and Bony Anatomy", Crisco JJ, Neu CP, Demiralp C, Laidlaw DH, Weiss AP-C, Akelman E, Wolfe S, 2001.

Best Layout and Presentation Award, 56th Annual Meeting, American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), Baltimore, MD, "Interactive Visualization of 3D Carpal Kinematics and Bony Anatomy", Crisco JJ, Neu CP, Demiralp C, Laidlaw DH, Weiss AP-C, Akelman E, Wolfe S, 2001.

Aircast Award for Basic Science Research, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Traverse, MI, "Menstrual Cycle, Exercise, and Knee Laxity", Belanger MJ, McGovern R, Moore DC, Fadale P, Hulstyn M, Crisco JJ, Ehrlich M, 1999.

Cabaud Memorial Award, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, "A Muscle Contusion Injury Model: Biomechanics, Physiology, and Histology", Crisco JJ, Jokl P, Heinen GT, Connell MD, Panjabi MM, 1993.

Postdoctoral Young Scientist Award, American Society of Biomechanics, "The Effect of Impactor Radius on Muscle Contusion Injury", Crisco JJ, Jokl P, Heinen GT, Connell MD, Panjabi MM, 1993.

Donjoy Award, Yale University School of Medicine, "Muscle Strain Injury: A Biomechanical Study of Rate Dependence", Gellman RE. Thesis Advisor: Crisco JJ, 1991.

Affiliations

American Society of Mechanical Engineers 1984 -
American Society of Biomechanics 1987-
Chairman, Membership Committee 1995 - 1998
Program Chair-Elect 1998 - 1999
Program Chair 1999 - 2000
President Elect 2003 - 2004
ASB Awards Committee 2004
President 2004 - 2005
Past President 2005 - 2006
Orthopaedic Research Society 1989 -
ASTM (F08) American Society for Testing & Materials 1993 -
International Society of Biomechanics 1993 -
Cervical Spine Research Society 1994 -
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 1996 -

Funded Research

1 R01 HD052127-01 (Crisco) 7/06 - 4/10 NIH/NIBIB
"3-D Multi-Articular Models of the Carpus"
This project proposes to develop a 3-D multi-articular model of the wrist in order to gain insight into the normal function of the effects of surgical treatment on the ligamentous and cartilaginous structures of the wrist.

1 R01 AR053648-01(Crisco) 4/06 -1/10
NIH/National Institute Arthritis Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease.
"Carpal Kinematics During Functional Tasks."
The significance of this work is that it will provide novel data on the in vivo kinematics of the hand and forearm during functional tasks.

Biomedical Research Grant (Crisco)1/07 - 12/09
Toys and Technologies for Rehabilitation
This multi-disciplinary, collaborative project will develop and test toys that are hoped enhance the physical therapy regimen of children with various arm impairments due to brain injury, cerebral palsy or other neurological impairments.

1 R01 HD048638-01A1(Greenwald) 5/07-1/12
NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Biomechanical basis of mild traumatic brain injury.
The purpose of this project is to develop and validate a quantitative model of head impact acceleration that enables translational research and development of new clinical and therapeutic techniques to reduce the incidence and negative effects of MTBI.
Role on Project- Subcontract PI

Bioengineering Research Grant(Greenwald) 1/08-12/08
National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE)
"Gender Differences in Head Impact Acceleration in Collegiate Ice Hockey."
This project will use a previously validated technology to collect and compare data on head acceleration during impacts in ice hockey for men's and women's teams.
Role on Project- Subcontract PI

Biomedical Research Grant(Brainerd)1/07 -12/10
Keck Foundation
"Proposal to design and build a dynamic 3D skeletal imaging system"
This grant will enable the design, construction and validation of a high-speed x-ray imaging system for musculo-skeletal biomechanics research.
Role on Project- Subcontract PI

NCAA Grant(Crisco)11/08 – 10/09
Head Impact Mechanism in Women's Ice Hockey
To determine if head impact biomechanics (helmet impact location and head acceleration magnitude) differ between event mechanisms in women's collegiate ice hockey games.

Nat'l Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) 2/09 – 12/10
Performance of Wood and Non-Wood Baseball Bats
This study will determine the performance of baseball bats when swung by players using novel 3D methods and algorithms.

Teaching Experience

Trey Crisco teaches independent studies every semester. He has taught Basic Biomechanics and a Product Design and Development course (EN292 S32) in collaboration with RISD. He often gives guest lectures on imaging and biomechanics to undergraduate, graduate, medical and students and residents.

Courses Taught

• Biomechanics (EN 121)
• Independent Studies (EN195/196)
• Product Design and Development (EN292 S32)

Selected Publications

• Leventhal EL, Wolfe SW, Walsh EF, Crisco JJ. "A Computational approach to the "optimal" screw axis location and orientation in the scaphoid bone." J Hand Surg. [Am] 2009 April; 34(4):677-84. PMID: 19345870(2009)
• Crisco JJ, Rainbow MJ, Wang E. "Modeling the Lacrosse Stick as a Rigid Body Underestimates Shot Ball Speeds." J Appl. Biomech. 2009 May; 25(2):184-91. PMID: 19483263(2009)
• Crisco JJ, Moore DC, Rainbow MJ. "Re: Majima et al. Load transmission through the wrist in the extended position. J Hand Surg. 2008;33A:182-188 [Am] 2008 Dec;33(10):1926(2008)
• Thakur NA, Crisco JJ, Moore DC, Froehlich JA, Limbird RS, Bliss JM. "An Improved Method for Cable Grip Fixation of the Greater Trochanter After Trochanteric Slide Osteotomy A Biomechanical Study". J Arthroplasty. 2008 Dec 5. [Epub ahead of print](2008)
• Curran PF, Fiore RD, Crisco JJ. "A comparison of the pressure exerted on soft tissue by two myofascial rollers". The Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 2008 Nov; 17(4); 432-42.(2008)
• Bowers ME, Trinh N, Tung GA, Crisco JJ, Kimia BB, Fleming BC. Quantitative MR imaging using "LiveWire" to measure tibiofemoral articular cartilage thickness. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2008 Oct:16(10): 1167-1173. [Epub ahead of print](2008)
• Calfee RP, Leventhal EL, Wilkerson J, Moore DC, Akelman E, Crisco JJ. Simulated Radioscapholunate Fusion Alters Carpal Kinematics While Preserving Dart-Thrower's Motion. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2008 Apr;33(4):503-10.(2008)
• Teeple E, Khaled A, Fleming B, Jay G, Aslani K, Crisco JJ, Mechrefe A, Coefficients of Friction, Lubricin, and Cartilage Damage in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Deficient Guinea Pig Knee. J. Orthopaedic Research. 26(2):231-7, February 2008(2008)
• Greenwald R, Gwin J, Chu J, Crisco JJ, Head Impact severity Measures for Evaluating Mild Traumatic Brain Injury risk Exposure. Neurosurgery. Apr; 62(4): 789-98; discussion 798, 2008.(2008)
• Leventhal El, Moore DC, Akelman E, Weiss A-PC, Wolfe SW, Crisco JJ. Interfragmentary Motion in Patients with Scaphoid Nonunions. J Hand Surg [Am] 2008 Sep;33(7):1108-15.(2008)
• Rainbow, M. J., Crisco, JJ, Moore, D. C., Wolfe, S. W., "Gender Differences in Capitate Kinematics are Eliminated After Accounting for Variation in Carpal Size," J Biomech Eng. 2008 Aug;130(4):041003.(2008)
• Crisco JJ, Fujita L, Spenciner DB. The dynamic flexion/extension properties of the lumbar spine in vitro using a novel pendulum system. J Biomech; 40(12):2767-73. 2007(2007)
• Drewniak EL, Crisco JJ, Spenciner DB, Fleming BC. Accuracy of circular contact area measurements with thin-film pressure sensors. J Biomech; 40(11):2569-72. 2007(2007)
• Moore DC, Crisco JJ, Trafton TG, Leventhal EL. A digital database of wrist bone anatomy and carpal kinematics. J Biomech;40(11):2537-42. 2007(2007)
• Wolfe SW, Crisco JJ, Orr CM, Marzke MW; The Dart-throwing Motion of the Wrist: Is it Unique to Humans? The Journal of Hand Surgery 31:1429-1437/ News Section of Current Anthropology; v. 48. no. 6 December, 2007(2007)
• Drewniak EL, Spenciner DB, Crisco JJ. "Mechanical properties of chest protectors and the likelihood of ventricular fibrillation due to commotio cordis". J Appl Biomech. 2007 Nov;23(4):282-8.(2007)
• Bowers ME, Tung GA, Fleming BC, Crisco JJ, Rey J. Quantification Of Meniscal Volume By Segmentation Of 3t Magnetic Resonance Images. J Biomech;40(12):2811-5. 2007.(2007)
• Alford JW, Bradley MP, Fadale PD, Crisco JJ, Moore DC, Ehrlich MG. Resorbable fillers reduce stress risers from empty screw holes. J Trauma. 2007 Sep;63(3):647-54.(2007)
• Crisco JJ, Fujita L, Spenciner DB. The dynamic flexion/extension properties of the lumbar spine in vitro using a novel pendulum system. J Biomech. 2007; 40(12):2767-73 Epub 2007 Mar 23.(2007)
• Coburn JC, Upal MA, Crisco JJ. Coordinate systems for the carpal bones of the wrist. J Biomech. 40: 203-209. 2007.(2007)
• Crisco JJ, Moore DC, Marai EG, Laidlaw DH, Akelman E, Weiss APC, Wolfe SW, Effects of Distal Radius Malunion on Distal Radioulnar Joint Mechanics - An In Vivo Study, J Orthop Res., 25(4):547-555, 2007.(2007)
• Teeple E, Fleming BC, Mechrefe AP, Crisco JJ, Brady MF, Jay GD. Frictional properties of Hartley guinea pig knees with and without proteolytic disruption of the articular surfaces. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. Mar;15(3):309-15. 2007.(2007)
• Crisco JJ, Blume J, Teeple E, Fleming BC, Jay G. Assuming Exponential Decay by Incorporating Viscous Damping Improves the Prediction of the Coefficient of Friction in Pendulum Tests of Whole Articular Joints. Proc Inst Mech Eng [H]. Apr;221(3):325-33. 2007.(2007)