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.