Past Projects

Here are some examples of past projects that we have worked on at the Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, including some selected projects that have been published. 

  1. Compression testing of custom titanium implants for skull reconstruction

    Example of compression testing   
     

  2. Fatigue testing of a tapered titanium spinal rod compared to two rods connected by a parallel connector

    Example of fatigue testing
    Project title: Fatigue Testing of a Titanium Tapered Rod versus Two Rods Connected by a Parallel Connector across the Cervicothoracic Junction: A Biomechanical Study
    Publication: Journal of King Abdulaziz University - Medical Sciences (In press)
     

  3. Characterization of different trochanteric fixation nail systems (hip surgery) for stiffness and alignment accuracy for guide wire drilling

    Testing different trochanteric fixation nail systems (hip surgery)
     

  4. Simple pullout test of pedicle screw. The human vertebral body is embedded in PMMA.
    Simple pullout test of a pedicle screw used in a human vertebral body that is embedded in PMMA
     

  5. Characterizing fixation strength in fatigue loading using a pedicle screw in cranial/caudal rotation. The human vertebral body is embedded in PMMA.
    Pedicle screw in cranial/caudal rotation with human vertebral body embedded in PMMA.
     

  6. Simple bending test of clavicle plate and screw system using Sawbones model
    Simple bending test of clavicle plate and screw system using Sawbones model
    Project title: Mechanical Evaluation of 2.7-Versus 3.5-mm Plating Constructs for Midshaft Clavicle Fractures
    Publication: Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: July 22, 2020 (Volume publish ahead of print)

 

Custom Testing

We have the knowledge and equipment needed to create customized testing environments. After determining the testing that needs to be done for your study or project, we can design and create customized fixtures and jigs to complete the testing you require. Here are some examples of past custom designs. 

  1. Custom-made handheld device for intervertebral disc profilometry pressure measurements
    Design:  Design for custom-made handheld device used for intervertebral disc profilometry pressure measurements     Final result: Custom-made handheld device for intervertebral disc profilometry pressure measurements
     
  2. Custom set-up for aligning the pullout direction to be parallel to the ACL tunnel. This is for a simple ACL pullout (ACL substitute semitendinosus and gracilis tendons) comparing three supplemental fixation methods.
    Simple ACL pullout using a custom setup so that the pullout direction is parallel to the ACL tunnel  Gloved hands aligning a rotated ACL tunnel
    Project title: ACL Reconstruction with Supplemental Tibial Fixation: a Biomechanical Study Comparing a Novel All-Soft Tissue Technique for Secondary Fixation with other Techniques 
    Publication: Canadian Orthopaedic Association, COA Bulletin #118 - Fall/Winter 2017 
     
  3. Custom setup to create an ulno-triquetral (UT) ligament tear in fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens. The UT ligament tear is subsequently repaired and the loading is reapplied to evaluate the load tolerated on the repaired UT ligament in different movements of flexion/extension and radial/ulnar deviation of the wrist.
    Custom set-up to create an ulno-triquetral (UT) ligament tear in fresh-frozen human cadaveric arm and hand.  Custom set-up to create an ulno-triquetral (UT) ligament tear in fresh-frozen cadaveric hand and arm.
    Project title: "Hockey wrist": dorsal ulnotriquetral ligament injury
    Publication: Canadian Journal of Surgery 2018

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