Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

The applicants lead research programs that investigate human biomechanics using the unique capabilities of the upright open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner (MROpen, Paramed, Genoa, Italy) at UBC's Centre for Hip Health and Mobility (CHHM). MRI is a very important research tool in biomechanics because it provides high-resolution images of both soft tissues (e.g. muscle, ligament, cartilage) and hard tissues (bone) with almost no risk to the participant. What sets this MRI scanner apart from others is that its “open” geometry allows us to obtain these images in functional positions, which makes the MROpen an ideal tool for biomechanics research. ******With this unique capability, we are using the MROpen: 1) To develop methods to assess cartilage mechanics (eg strain, stiffness) noninvasively using imaging. Our rationale is that the most important measures of cartilage mechanics (eg strain) cannot be measured in living people, and that development of these tools would open up many new pathways of research in biomechanics. 2) To understand the mechanical function of anatomical structures during speech and swallowing. The unique capability of the MROpen scanner to image patients when upright is being used to determine whether gravity plays a significant role in which muscles are active during speech articulation and swallowing in normal adult speakers and swallowers. 3) To assess the effect of posture on spine muscle biomechanics and use these findings to develop a biomechanical model of the spine for preoperative planning. These programs are led by 3 senior biomechanics researchers with international profiles in joint biomechanics, speech/swallowing, and spine biomechanics. ******It is essential to our planned research programs that we add functionality to the Upright Open MRI scanner by implementing two newly-released upgrades. The first upgrade is fundamental to all of our research programs: a new spectrometer and software package that will give us the imaging speed and flexibility required to perform weight-bearing scans with limited motion artefact and participant fatigue. This is required to enable the new sequences we need for cartilage imaging, the multi-channel capability required for dynamic scans in speech and swallowing, and the 3D environment required to assess spine muscles in true cross-sectional area. The second upgrade, an upright package including a new spine coil with full spine coverage and an integrated flat participant bed/upright positioning tool designed to allow stable upright positioning, is essential to our proposed studies in weightbearing postures. This is required to limit motion artefact in all of our upright images, allow positioning of coils to achieve the image quality we require, and to allow imaging of the whole spine. ******Each of the associated programs of research will provide hands-on training to a diverse group of HQP, primarily Master's and PhD students and Postdoctoral fellows.*****