Experimental Joint Biomechanics Research Lab


	Experimental Joint Biomechanics Research Lab
	Facilities


	The Experimental Joint Biomechanics Research Lab spans 874 square feet of lab space in Learned Hall, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS. The lab houses a variety of experimental equipment and tissue handling tools.
		Dynamic Knee Simulator: The key piece of research equipment in the EJBRL is the electrohydraulic testing knee testing rig. This machine is capapble of simulating the dynamic forces on a human knee. The knee joint has six degrees of freedom and is allowed to move to its natural position due to the externally applied loads and constraints at the knee including soft tissue and artticular geometry. Read more here.
	Quasi Static Knee Simulator: The QSKS works in conjunction with the dynamic simulator to help understand the biomechanics of the knee joint. Instead of using hydraulic power, the QSKS uses dead weights and manually applied loads to manipulate the knee. Read more here.
		Hydraulics: The EJBRL houses an electric motor coupled to a hydraulic pump. The pump provides the hydraulic power to drive the dynamic knee simulator. The pump has auxiliary hookups for the addition of new hydraulic devices currently under development.
	Controller: The Kansas knee simulator is driven by a custom built 5-channel Inston controller. Each axis is controllable in load or position control. The controller interfaces with the control computer using GPIB commmands.
		Optotrak 3020: Knee and simulator kinematics are recorded using the 3-camera Optotrak 3020 system. Series of infrared emitting diodes are attached to the femur, tibia, and patella. The camera can then track these diodes relative to one another and the camera. By probing anatomical points on the knee, the knee kinematics can be described in clinically relevent axis.
	Ligament DVRTs: The lab uses two miniature differential variable reluctance transducers (DVRTs) manufactured by MicroStrain to track the strain in ligaments during dynamic activities. These sensors are currently being used to help understand the strain in the anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) during a side-step cutting maneuver.
		X-Ray and MRI imaging facilities: An extremety X-Ray device is used with phosphorus plate films and a film reader to observe the internal structures of the knee. When more detailed information is needed, the lab teams with Dr. Mehmet Bilgen at the Hoglund Brain Imaging Center to use a 9.4 T MRI device to provide detailed images of ligaments, insertion sites, and soft tissue architecture. To read more about the MRI facilities, click here.
	Dynamic Ankle Simulator: A dynamic ankle simulator is currently under development. The hydraulic-powered simulator will be able to apply dynamic loads to the foot and ankle complex. It will be used to evaluate ankle and lower limb prostheses, cadaveric samples, and a robotic foot under development elsewhere in the department.	Software: The ME department provides a variety of engineering software packages, including Pro-Engineer, Lab-View, Matlab, and Adams.
		Tissue Preperation facility: All dissection and surgical procedures are carried out in a separate sterile surgery room. The surgery room is outfitted with all the tools necessary to perform a dissection.
	Machine Shop: Mechanical Engineering students have access to a fully-equiped machine shop. The shop has dedicated experienced personnel to train new researchers to build almost anything. In addition to all the typical machine shop equipment, the department also has a 4-axis Fadal CNC mill and a Stereo-Lithography Rapid Prototyper to aid in the machine design and fabrication process.

© Department of Mechanical Engineering	Experimental Joint Biomechanics Research Lab	Page last updated April 2008
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