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Spine
Testing
System, is a wire and pulley system combined with an
actuator to allow the controlled application of an oscillating bending
moment within one plane. This forward and backward bending moment is
generally applied in the flexion-extension plane or the bi-lateral
bending plane. The system can also be configured for axial rotation. A
follower-load cable system mimics the axial compressive load applied to
the spine through the human torso.
Bio-Robotic
Arm. This is a modified commercially available robotic arm
generally used in the automotive industry. This system has 6 movable
axis and requires the collection and control of 12 parameters (3
rotation, 3 translation, 3 forces, and 3 moments). The system is
configures for a hybrid, allowing force feedback to modify the motion
path. Such a system is ideal for simulating physiological loading on
biological samples, for example the spine. Depending on the program, it
is also capable of finding the fracture path by following the path of
least resistance.
Dynamic Testing Frame,
is a custom frame built around a voice coil actuator. The device is
capable of applying several 100 Newtons of dynamic force over a large
frequency range (10 Hz to 10 kHz). A second built-in piezo-electric
shaker can apply similar forces at frequencies that reach into the
ultrasound spectrum. The system is used for determining the dynamic
stiffness and structural integrity of bone samples, bone
micro-architecture duplicates and implants. Using a similar system, we
already tested human subjects, of course with consent and the prior
approval of our IRB.
Scanco microCT80 is
a Micro Computed Tomography system that allows the non-destructive
imaging of tissue samples. Our system is capable of imaging at a
maximum resolution of 10 micrometer and a sample size up to 78 mm
diameter. We can scan whole human vertebrae with our system, however,
at the cost of disk space. Each image set requires a disk space of
around 20 GB.
Other
Our laboratory is also equipped with a portable X-ray
system, several smaller dynamic testing systems, and various data
acquisition systems. In addition, we have three tissue freezers,
several specimen preparation tools, and vacuum bagging system for
frozen specimens to prevent freezer burns.
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Image
Reconstruction/Reverse Engineering Software
is a 3D phase change printer that utilizes one
material for the build part and a second material for the support
structure. Depending on the printing requirements, the machine is
capable of printing the inverse of the part, basically making a mold of
the part of interest. 
