NSERC Medtronic Industrial Research Chair in Spine Biomechanics / Chaire de recherche industrielle CRSNG Medtronic en biomécanique de la colonne vertébrale

脊柱整形外科领域的生物医学工程和医疗技术(Medtech)行业面临着越来越多的挑战，即开发高质量的工程解决方案来治疗脊柱疾病，以及快速将研究成果实施给用户。脊柱是我们身体的一个复杂而核心的组成部分，参与平衡姿势、运动和保护脊髓。严重的脊柱畸形、创伤和退行性疾病一般通过脊柱内固定手术进行治疗。这是一种广泛的侵入性手术，永久性地限制了脊柱节段的运动，并在融合节段和未融合节段的交界处以及结构内部施加了额外的压力，特别是在骨-种植体界面和致密的结构中。尽管在过去的几十年里，生物医学技术有了很大的进步，但脊柱手术仍然非常具有侵入性，而技术仍然主要是经验性的和外科医生专用的。这是一个工程研究对提高脊柱生物力学知识至关重要的领域。该研究计划旨在开发和应用生物力学工程方法来：1)提高对三维脊柱生物力学的理解，以探索新的设备、手术后条件，同时制定内固定指南。2)开发有效的模拟工具，旨在分析和改进器械技术和手术策略；3)开发和验证用于脊柱病理的手术计划、术中指导和术后管理的创新工具。总之，主席的科学和技术成就将是目前正在进行的全球竞争中的主要资产，该竞争旨在掌握脊柱生物力学和相关技术的先进知识，并开发全面的工程工具，以满足脊柱矫形医疗技术行业的重要需求，从而实现侵入性更小和最佳的手术，为加拿大生物医学行业、患者和社会带来所有预期的经济效益。

Biomedical engineering and medical technology (medtech) industry in the field of spine orthopedics facesincreasing challenges to develop high-quality engineering solutions to treat spine pathologies as well as rapidlyimplement research findings to the users. The spine is a complex and central component of our body, involvedin posture equilibrium, movements, and protection of the spinal cord. Severe spinal deformities, trauma, anddegenerative conditions are generally treated with spinal instrumentation surgery involving fusion. This is anextensive and invasive procedure that permanently restricts motion of spinal segments and places additionalstress on the junction between fused and unfused segments and within the construct, especially at thebone-implant interface and in dense constructs. Despite significant improvements in biomedical technologiesover the last decades, spinal surgeries remain very invasive while techniques continue to be mostly empiricaland surgeon-specific. This is an area where engineering research is crucial to improve knowledge of spinebiomechanics.The research program aims to develop and apply biomechanical engineering methods to: 1) Improveunderstanding of the 3 dimensional spine biomechanics to explore new devices, post-surgical conditions and,concurrently, develop instrumentation guidelines. 2) Develop validated simulation tools aimed at analyzing andimproving instrumentation technologies and surgical strategies; 3) Develop and validate innovative tools forsurgical planning, intra-operative guidance, and post-op management of spinal pathologies. In summary, thescientific and technological achievements of the Chair will represent major assets in the global competitionnow underway to master advanced knowledge of spine biomechanics and related technologies, and developcomprehensive engineering tools to address important needs from the spine orthopedic medtech industry,resulting in less invasive and optimal surgeries with all the expected economic benefits to the Canadianbiomedical industry, patients, and society.