Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

The Orthopaedic Bioengineering Laboratory comprises approximately 2800 square feet and is housed in the UofL Health Sciences Instructional Building. It is the focal point for non-clinical research projects in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Michael J. Voor, Ph.D. serves as the Director of Research for the department and is the Director of the laboratory. In addition to Dr. Voor, the lab has a full-time coordinator, a full-time research resident, graduate students from the Mechanical Engineering (Biomechanics) program, as well as a research secretary. The centerpiece of the lab is the MTS Model 858 Bionix Servo-Hydraulic Test Frame. It is used for a wide array of non-destructive and destructive tests in the areas of spine biomechanics, orthopaedic trauma, total joint replacement and sports medicine. Cadaver tissue obtained from the Fresh Tissue Dissection Lab is stored on site in 56 cubic feet of freezer space. The laboratory also houses a high resolution CT scanner system for research purposes. It is capable of imaging to 10 micrometer resolution and can be used to recreate trabecular bone architecture on specimens ranging in size from live small animals to cadaveric tissues. The lab maintains a full range of surgical supplies and equipment and a surgical preparation area allows surgical procedures to be performed on cadaver specimens for subsequent mechanical testing. A small machine shop and machinist are available for customizing equipment and test fixtures.

Other capabilities of the lab include a variety of precision motion analysis techniques, strain gaging (Measurements Group), ultrasound material property determination (Panametrics), finite element analysis (ABAQUS/Hewlett-Packard Apollo 9000), portable X-ray, and multi-channel data acquisition (LABView).

Current areas of research include lumbar spine biomechanics and interbody fusion techniques, revision hip artroplasty using impacted morselized cancellous allograft, fixation strength and stability of ACL reconstruction, design and evaluation of external fracture fixation devices, biomechanics of intramedullary nailing with fracture site compression, and femoral strain distribution in total hip arthroplasty.

The Spine and Spinal Cord Research Laboratory is a 1208 sq. ft. lab is a joint venture of the Orthopaedic Department and the Department of Neurological Surgery, and serves the research needs of faculty and residents in both departments. The lab is adjacent to the Orthopaedic Bioengineering Lab and divided into several components, including data management, histology, art preparation and a surgery suite. The lab is well equipped with advanced surgical, histological, and electrophysiological devices. Supported by grants from the Alliant Community Trust Fund and clinical funds, the Lab has two full-time technicians and one part-time technician. The lab=s specialty is in spinal monitoring using magnetic motor potentials and is directed by Dr. R. Dean Linden, an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery. This lab also includes the full time research services of Y. P. Zhang, PhD ( a neurosurgery researcher) and D. Burke (a statistician.)

Located in the basement of the Health Sciences Instructional Building, the Arthroscopic Motor Skills Laboratory is an 800 sq. ft. facility that provides the space and equipment residents need to practice arthroscopic procedures on fresh anatomic materials, provided by the adjacent Fresh Tissue Dissection Laboratory. Headed by Dr. Edward Tillett, the lab provides resident education in such procedures as knee and shoulder arthroscopy. There are three stations that can be used by as many as six residents at a time. Residents can practice on cadavers and dry models. Instruction and motor skills emphasizes basic techniques of arthroscopy, but residents can also practice advanced techniques in knee, shoulder, elbow and ankle arthroscopy. This laboratory is also funded by the Fisher-Owen Orthopaedic Trust Fund.

Although technically not part of the Orthopaedic Department, the Fresh Tissue Dissection Laboratory serves a vital role in providing cadaver material for orthopaedic teaching and research efforts, particularly in the Arthroscopic Motor Skills Lab. Supported by the Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, the Division of Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery, and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, this 1400 sq. ft. lab, under the direction of Dr. Robert Acland, houses two large areas for education and research. An effort is underway to create a fiber-optic link between the fresh tissue lab and Orthopaedics. This lab is funded through the Fisher-Owen Orthopaedic Trust Fund.

The Micro Vascular Laboratory, located in room 326A MDR building, offers a five-day course in basic microsurgical techniques. This course is available to all residents, and the fee is paid by the Department of Orthopaedics through the Fisher-Owen Orthopaedic Trust Fund. The stated purpose of the course is to lay the foundations of the principal skills that make up good microsurgical techniques. Not only the central details of anastomotic technique, but also those other neglected and all-important skills: deliberate attainment of comfort and peace of mind; the consistent use of proper hand position; the efficient use of microsurgical equipment; and a disciplined, step-by-step approach to the preparatory aspects of surgical procedure. Each resident has unfettered use throughout the course of a Zeiss Opmi 7PH microscope, equipped with full foot controls and having two-man capability to allow one-on-one instruction. This is an intensive, hands on course, initially conceived for the complete beginner in microsurgery. The Micro Vascular Laboratory is overseen by Dr. Robert Acland and Instructor Frank Allen.