Experimental characterization and biomechanical modeling of soft tissues of the spine for multiple dynamic applications

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The human spine is one of the most remarkable mechanical structures of the body. It has three fundamental functions: to transfer the weight of the upper body to the pelvis, to provide flexibility to the trunk and to protect the spinal cord from potentially damaging forces and motions. ******Computational tools (such as finite element models or FEMs) offer a key solution to investigate the complex biomechanics of the spine and to design novel protection and medical devices in the fields of sports, health and security and medicine. Despite an astounding amount of work performed by the scientific community in the last decades, the development of biofidelic models of the spine in dynamic situations remains a difficult task to achieve, thus limiting their use. For instance, modeling the soft tissues of the spine (intervertebral discs, ligaments and cartilaginous endplates) poses many challenges due to their complex structures and mechanical responses. Moreover, aging and degeneration add further complexity to the modeling process by significantly altering the geometry and the material properties of these biological systems. ******The general objectives of this Discovery grant proposal is to improve fundamental knowledge on spine biomechanics and to develop and leverage high-end bioengineering tools that simulate the mechanical behavior of the normal and degenerated soft tissues of the spine under dynamic loading conditions. This will be achieved by 1) characterizing the mechanical behavior of normal and degenerated spinal soft tissues over a wide range of scale, under dynamic loading conditions, up to failure; 2) developing and refining multi-scale FEMs of the spine that integrate the mechanical behavior previously assess; 3) validating the FEMs using novel experiments performed in dynamic loading conditions; and 4) use the FEMs and experimental methods to support the development and evaluation of clinically- and industry-related applications in the fields of sports, health and security and medicine. ******Performed within the International Associated Laboratory on Biomechanics of Spine Injuries and Pathologies which includes Canadian and French institutions, this multidisciplinary research program will lay the solid foundation for an original and innovative research that could lead to real breakthroughs. The spine continuously deserves increasing attention because of its role and fragility. Indeed, anticipated impacts for Canada are numerous: training of highly qualified people, development of cutting-edge technologies in booming fields, technology transfer to the industry, international visibility, health improvement and all related economic benefits. **