Biocompatibility Artificial biomaterials are utilized to a greater extent in orthopaedic procedures than in any other medical specialties. While the mechanical requirements of these implants are fairly well characterized, the biocompatibility and long-term interaction of many materials with the physiological environment are still not fully undersrtood. The Orthopaedic Research Laboratories have developed a unique mouse air-pouch model for studying the immune response to materials. It has been used to determine the reaction to polyethylene, which indicates that osteolysis surrounding an implant is a result of an immune reaction. Systems include a Poka-Yoke Controller to provide workers with feedback in weighing and counting tasks, an Indexing Turntable to assist individuals with a limited range of motion with such activities as item placement and assembly tasks, and an Adjustable Mobile Orthosis Seat for use by severely disabled individuals.
Projects are often patient or client specific.
The laboratory receives support from the National Science Foundation, numerous corporations, and a number of school districts within the state of Michigan. The Rehabilitation Engineering laboratory of the Rehabilitation Institute is involved with the characterization of gait and muscular activity in normal and disabled individuals as well as the development of novel therapies and devices to assist those with reduced mobility and other disabilities. Neurophysiology of Pain Human suffering from pain is one of the inevitable sequelae of trauma and degenerative disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Ironically, as advances are made in reducing the fatalities attributed to injuries and increasing the average life span of the population, chronic pain becomes part of the lives of a greater number of people. Researchers at the Bioengineering Center have made important strides in understanding the source of low back pain by using neurophysiology techniques that have established the facet capsules of the intervertebral joints as the site of pain in some instances.