Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2022-2023).

Biomedical engineering and medical technology (medtech) industry in the field of spine orthopedics facesx000D
increasing challenges to develop high-quality engineering solutions to treat spine pathologies as well as rapidlyx000D
implement research findings to the users. The spine is a complex and central component of our body, involvedx000D
in posture equilibrium, movements, and protection of the spinal cord. Severe spinal deformities, trauma, andx000D
degenerative conditions are generally treated with spinal instrumentation surgery involving fusion. This is anx000D
extensive and invasive procedure that permanently restricts motion of spinal segments and places additionalx000D
stress on the junction between fused and unfused segments and within the construct, especially at thex000D
bone-implant interface and in dense constructs. Despite significant improvements in biomedical technologiesx000D
over the last decades, spinal surgeries remain very invasive while techniques continue to be mostly empiricalx000D
and surgeon-specific. This is an area where engineering research is crucial to improve knowledge of spinex000D
biomechanics.x000D
The research program aims to develop and apply biomechanical engineering methods to: 1) Improvex000D
understanding of the 3 dimensional spine biomechanics to explore new devices, post-surgical conditions and,x000D
concurrently, develop instrumentation guidelines. 2) Develop validated simulation tools aimed at analyzing andx000D
improving instrumentation technologies and surgical strategies; 3) Develop and validate innovative tools forx000D
surgical planning, intra-operative guidance, and post-op management of spinal pathologies. In summary, thex000D
scientific and technological achievements of the Chair will represent major assets in the global competitionx000D
now underway to master advanced knowledge of spine biomechanics and related technologies, and developx000D
comprehensive engineering tools to address important needs from the spine orthopedic medtech industry,x000D
resulting in less invasive and optimal surgeries with all the expected economic benefits to the Canadianx000D
biomedical industry, patients, and society.