ABOUT THE LAB:
The Biomechanics Laboratory was established in 1997 with the help of a ten-year $300,000 grant from TMJT Implant, Inc. This 800-square-foot laboratory is equipped for teaching purposes and to support departmental research.
Biomechanics Laboratory
216 Rhodes Research Center
Clemson, South Carolina 29634
216 Rhodes Research Center
Clemson, South Carolina 29634
MISSION: "Research in Motion"
The Biomechanics Lab is dedicated to conducting novel projects and demonstrations with strong clinical relevance and educational purpose. Research projects are developed through collaborations with clinicians and medical device companies. Educational programs are focused on real-world applications of biomechanical principles.
NEWS:
08.13.08
Congratulations to Randy Hutchison on receiving a Public Service and Agriculture Next Generation Graduate Fellowship (PSA-NGGF).
This competitive award is made through the Clemson University Graduate School in targeted program areas to further develop interdisciplinary collaborations. The purpose of the PSA-NGGF program is to recruit top students in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Life Sciences. Hutchison competed against some of the best applicants at this level, broadly representing the best students across the nation and around the world. He will receive a fellowship of $15,000 per year for three years, which will be matched through other research funds. He will also receive reduced tuition and supplemental student insurance benefits. The project Hutchison will be working on is “Portable Accelerometer-based Motion Analysis (PAccMAn) system: A Motion Analysis Tool for Research and Education." The PAccMAn System measures the loading patterns of the lower limb (knee, shank and ankle) during activities of daily life. These data can indicate dynamic limb function and the progression of rehabilitation for patients recovering from surgical interventions for knee-joint or long-bone trauma or pathology. The study has two objectives. The first involves optimizing this novel clinical tool to inform clinicians’ decisions on how well a subject is healing, how effective the rehabilitation regime is, and how much weight a subject is applying to the affected limb. The second objective is to use the PaccMAn system as an engaging educational tool for both college-level and pre-college students. Students can collect data on forces, moments, velocities, and accelerations during motion, and relate dynamics to bone and joint function. By building connections between what students see as otherwise unrelated subjects, our goal is to help them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
This competitive award is made through the Clemson University Graduate School in targeted program areas to further develop interdisciplinary collaborations. The purpose of the PSA-NGGF program is to recruit top students in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Life Sciences. Hutchison competed against some of the best applicants at this level, broadly representing the best students across the nation and around the world. He will receive a fellowship of $15,000 per year for three years, which will be matched through other research funds. He will also receive reduced tuition and supplemental student insurance benefits. The project Hutchison will be working on is “Portable Accelerometer-based Motion Analysis (PAccMAn) system: A Motion Analysis Tool for Research and Education." The PAccMAn System measures the loading patterns of the lower limb (knee, shank and ankle) during activities of daily life. These data can indicate dynamic limb function and the progression of rehabilitation for patients recovering from surgical interventions for knee-joint or long-bone trauma or pathology. The study has two objectives. The first involves optimizing this novel clinical tool to inform clinicians’ decisions on how well a subject is healing, how effective the rehabilitation regime is, and how much weight a subject is applying to the affected limb. The second objective is to use the PaccMAn system as an engaging educational tool for both college-level and pre-college students. Students can collect data on forces, moments, velocities, and accelerations during motion, and relate dynamics to bone and joint function. By building connections between what students see as otherwise unrelated subjects, our goal is to help them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
07.09.08
Joshua Catanzarite defended his MS thesis entitled Biomechanical Evaluation of Two Methods of Humeral Shaft Fixation. Joshua will be continuing his PhD research during the fall semester.
06.15.08
PhD students Ramon Boudreaux and Randy Hutchison, have joined the Biomechanics Lab.
06.04.08
The Biomechanics Lab recently acquired a portable force plate and walkway to go along with the wireless inertial sensor system. This new equipment will allow us to transport our lab into the rehab facilities to directly monitor patient progress.
05.31.08
Tripp Mostertz defended his MS thesis entitled Inertial Sensor System for Quantifying Knee Function. Tripp will be working as a Research Technician for the
Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy at Duke University.
06.11.07
Recent graduate Ryan Posey has accepted a position with Beckman Coulter. He was selected as one of only ten engineers for the DAP program.
01.21.07
Funding was awarded from Synthes, Inc, to conduct biomechanical testing of proximal tibia locked plates. This funding is part of a partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina and the Orthopaedic Education Department at Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center. Collaborators: I.V. Hall, PhD, Synthes, Inc.; Kyle Jeray, MD, GHSUMC
OUTREACH PROGRAMS:
The Biomechanics Lab students and faculty actively participate in outreach programs throughout the year.
Through the Society for Biomaterials K-12 Outreach Committee, we are putting together learning activities for middle and high school teachers to introduce the field of bioengineering in science classes. With input from BioE graduate students Cheryl Gomillion, Cheryl Parzel, LaShan Simpson, Randy Hutchison and Ramon Boudreaux, as well as collaborating science teachers from around South Carolina, modules have been created related to bones, joints, tissue engineering, and the vascular system. As these activities get field tested, they will be posted on this website, and distributed to teachers through venues such as SC Science Council and the Boston Science Museum.
Osteoarthritis Demonstration
Osteoarthritis Lesson Plan
Cartilage Lesson Plan
Osteoarthritis Demonstration
Osteoarthritis Lesson Plan
Cartilage Lesson Plan
"engaging, hands-on lectures and workshops specifically tailored to introduce the bioengineering knowledge and laboratory skills necessary in today's vibrant and growing biomedical industry"
The purpose of this high value program is to provide students majoring in the biological sciences, computer sciences, engineering, mathematics, and physical sciences with well planned interdisciplinary bioengineering or bioinformatics research and education experiences in very active 'Summer Institutes', thereby increasing the number of young people considering careers in bioengineering and bioinformatics at the graduate level and beyond.
