Development of Biomechanical Feedback Devices and Robot-Assisted Technologies for Orthopaedic Applications

上肢矫形手术在老年人群中越来越常见。一些手术，如关节置换术，可以非常成功，但在技术上仍然具有挑战性。计算机和图像引导方法可以帮助最有经验的外科医生实现更准确的植入，转化为更好的关节功能和替代品的耐用性。这项新研究计划的目标将包括：1)开发用于骨科手术的新型机器人和其他机电设备。2)开发用于实时反馈内部组织载荷、关节力和关节对齐的植入式装置。3)开发结合计算机导航和机器人技术的微创工具和技术。机电一体化是一个多学科的工程领域，包括力学、电子学、计算机科学和控制理论。机器人将用于开发新的计算机辅助技术，以提高上肢骨科手术的可靠性和手术效果。智能植入物（可以测量人体生物力学并将信息传回计算机的设备）将在实验室开发。这将有助于医生治疗病人，并进一步了解上肢是如何工作的。机电一体化对医疗保健的未来变得越来越重要。该研究项目将为工程专业学生、生物医学工程师和实习外科医生提供上肢骨科应用方面的独特教育和经验结合。

Orthopaedic procedures of the upper limb are becoming more frequent in our aging population. Someprocedures such as joint replacements can be highly successful, yet remain technically challenging. Computer and image guided methods can assist even the most experienced surgeon to achieve more accurate implant placement, translating into better joint function and durability of the replacement.Goals of this new research program will include: 1) Development of new robotic and other mechatronic devices for orthopaedic procedures. 2) Development of implantable devices for real-time feedback of internal tissue loads, joint forces and joint alignment. 3) Development of minimally-invasive tools and techniques that incorporate computer navigation and robotics.Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field of engineering that incorporates mechanics, electronics, computer science, and control theory. Robots will be used to develop new computer-aided technologies for improving reliability and surgical outcomes of orthopaedic surgeries in the upper limb. Smart implants (devices that can make measurements of the body's biomechanics and relay that information back to a computer) will be developed in the laboratory. These will help doctors in their treatment of patients as well as further their understanding of how upper limbs work.Mechatronics is becoming increasingly more important to the future of healthcare. This research programwill provide engineering students, biomedical engineers, and surgeons-in-training with a unique combination of education and experience in these applications for upper limb orthopaedics.