Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

The relationship between joint loading and underlying tissue mechanical behaviour is not well understood but is of great importance in the onset and progression of musculoskeletal disorders including osteoarthritis or osteoporosis. Using novel, advanced imaging techniques such as quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT), it is possible to non-destructively study tissue mechanical properties. Mechanical response of tissues is local in nature but often only resultant joint loads are studied; we will discover more about tissue mechanical behaviour if local loading distributions are known. Using the requested Intra-articular Pressure Measurement System', cadaver joint models, and novel imaging techniques it will be possible to identify the impact of local and focal loading changes on adjacent and underlying tissues. This will provide unique and important data towards understanding the relationship between joint loading and tissue mechanical behaviour.*We have assembled a team of three researchers who all have Discovery Grant Programs and we our requesting an Intra-articular Pressure Measurement System'. Our research programs focus on studying the relationship between joint loading and tissue mechanical behaviour, but the joints, tissues, approaches, models and advanced imaging tools we use differ. The requested system will be used to identify relationships between 1) knee joint loading and articular cartilage and meniscus mechanical behaviour using quantitative MRI approaches, 2) knee joint loading and bone mechanical behaviour using quantitative HR-pQCT and finite element analysis, and 3) wrist joint loading and bone in a fracture model using quantitative HR-pQCT, finite element analysis and mathematical models. The addition of the Intra-articular Pressure Measurement System' will greatly strengthen our research programs by allowing us each to enter new research directions which have the potential for much greater impact than studying resultant loads alone. We believe that these results will be of great interest to an international audience. The system requested is state-of-the-art and can dynamically assess local load distribution across the entire joint surface, which makes it the most suitable tool for each of our particular applications. The system will also enrich the research experience of our HQP; we anticipate approximately 42 will be trained on the system over the next six years. This will allow the HQP to gain important technical, hands-on skills in the area of contact mechanics that can be translated to many other engineering and research fields.