Grant: Industrial Research Chairs

Biomedical engineering and medical technology (medtech) industry in the field of spine orthopedics facesincreasing challenges to develop high-quality engineering solutions to treat spine pathologies as well as rapidlyimplement research findings to the users. The spine is a complex and central component of our body, involvedin posture equilibrium, movements, and protection of the spinal cord. Severe spinal deformities, trauma, anddegenerative conditions are generally treated with spinal instrumentation surgery involving fusion. This is anextensive and invasive procedure that permanently restricts motion of spinal segments and places additionalstress on the junction between fused and unfused segments and within the construct, especially at thebone-implant interface and in dense constructs. Despite significant improvements in biomedical technologiesover the last decades, spinal surgeries remain very invasive while techniques continue to be mostly empiricaland surgeon-specific. This is an area where engineering research is crucial to improve knowledge of spinebiomechanics.The research program aims to develop and apply biomechanical engineering methods to: 1) Improveunderstanding 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 andimproving instrumentation technologies and surgical strategies; 3) Develop and validate innovative tools forsurgical planning, intra-operative guidance, and post-op management of spinal pathologies. In summary, thescientific and technological achievements of the Chair will represent major assets in the global competitionnow underway to master advanced knowledge of spine biomechanics and related technologies, and developcomprehensive 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 Canadianbiomedical industry, patients, and society.