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

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Biomedical engineering and medical technology (medtech) industry in the field of spine orthopedics faces**increasing challenges to develop high-quality engineering solutions to treat spine pathologies as well as rapidly**implement research findings to the users. The spine is a complex and central component of our body, involved**in posture equilibrium, movements, and protection of the spinal cord. Severe spinal deformities, trauma, and**degenerative conditions are generally treated with spinal instrumentation surgery involving fusion. This is an**extensive and invasive procedure that permanently restricts motion of spinal segments and places additional**stress on the junction between fused and unfused segments and within the construct, especially at the**bone-implant interface and in dense constructs. Despite significant improvements in biomedical technologies**over the last decades, spinal surgeries remain very invasive while techniques continue to be mostly empirical**and surgeon-specific. This is an area where engineering research is crucial to improve knowledge of spine**biomechanics.**The research program aims to develop and apply biomechanical engineering methods to: 1) Improve**understanding 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 and**improving instrumentation technologies and surgical strategies; 3) Develop and validate innovative tools for**surgical planning, intra-operative guidance, and post-op management of spinal pathologies. In summary, the**scientific and technological achievements of the Chair will represent major assets in the global competition**now underway to master advanced knowledge of spine biomechanics and related technologies, and develop**comprehensive 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 Canadian**biomedical industry, patients, and society.