For this project I worked with a mechanical engineering professor who was studying biomechanics and attempting to further the field through analyzing the various ligaments of the knee. My research involved doing a broad literature search to learn as much as possible about computer modeling methods and material properties of these tissues, and applying this knowledge through a finite element model of said tissue. My computer code is not shown on this page, but I have included pictures taken while doing research with bio-mechanical engineers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Orthopedics Lab, where I observed cadaver knee dissection and robotic modeling of ligaments.
Cadaver Knee at beginning of dissection.
Plaster casts around tibia and femur.
Performing computed tomography (CT) scan on knee to examine bone structure.
Knee mounted to robot using plaster casts.
X-Rays taken of knee.
Knee stripped of tissue and ligaments, leaving only ACL holding tibia and femur together. At this point, robot could be moved through typical range of motion, and resulting ligament reaction forces recorded and studied.