The Role of Age-Related Changes to Cortical and Trabecular Bone in the Occurrence of Traumatic and Atraumatic Vertebral Fractures (Engineering)

两种形式的损伤可导致椎体楔形骨折：非外伤性、骨质疏松性骨折和车辆正面碰撞时安全带引起的骨折。为了减少这些骨折的发生，需要加强对骨折机制和椎体强度决定因素的了解。本研究的目的是提高目前对这些生物力学领域的理解。超声技术将用于确定材料特性，用于开发脊柱功能单元的有限元模型，并评估皮质骨和小梁骨对椎体强度的贡献。将进行整体和区域冲击实验，以确定断裂力学与力学性能之间的相关性。计算和实验结果将进行比较验证。互动活动将包括前两年的生物材料本科/研究生联合课程和第三年的生物材料高级课程。此外，还将组织由生物工程专家参加的研讨会。大约50%的演讲者将是女性研究人员。将组织讲习班，并通过女工程师协会和美国机械工程师协会为男女学生提供参观工业、医院和其他大学中妇女研究实验室的机会。

Two modalities of injury can result in wedge fractures of the vertebrae: atraumatic, osteoporotic fracture and seat-belt induced fracture during vehicular frontal impact. To reduce occurrence of these fractures, enhanced knowledge of the fracture mechanisms and determinants of vertebral strength is required. The objective of this research is to improve the current understanding of these areas of biomechanics. Ultrasound technology will be used to determine material properties for developing finite element models of spinal functional units, and the contributions of cortical and trabecular bone to vertebral strength will be assessed. Whole body and regional impact experiments will be conducted to determine the correlation between fracture mechanics and mechanical properties. Computational and experimental results will be compared for validation. Interactive activities will include teaching a combined undergraduate/graduate course in biomaterials during each of the first two years and an advanced course in biomaterials the third year. Additionally, seminars will be organized featuring experts in bioengineering. About 50 percent of the speakers will be women researchers. Workshops will be organized and opportunities for male and female students to visit research laboratories of women in industry, hospitals, and other universities will be offered through the Society of Women Engineers and ASME.