Degree: BS, MS, PhD
Title: Senior Research Scientist
Department: Department of Research
Research Interests
- Biomechanical characterization of the influence of pathology, rehabilitation and surgical treatment on joint kinematics and pressure applied to cartilage for musculoskeletal joints, with a particular focus on patellofemoral disorders and ACL injuries
- Characterization of the mechanical properties of intact and reconstructed bones, tendons and ligaments
- Clinical outcomes analysis following orthopedic surgery
- Identification of biomarkers for viable brain tissue following acute ischemic stroke from diagnostic imaging
Education
- 1989 - University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
BS, Mechanical Engineering - 1991 - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
MS, Biomedical Engineering - 1997 - Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Post-doc, Orthopaedic Biomechanics
Teaching Appointments
- 2005 - present
Assistant Professor, part time, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD - 2008 - 2013
Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH - 2013 - present
Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH
Contact Information
Cleveland Clinic Akron General
1 Akron General Avenue
Akron, OH 44307
Phone: 330.344.6176
Fax: 330.344.2336
[email protected]
Opportunities for research internships are available for active projects. Please contact Dr. Elias at [email protected] for additional information. View research at ResearchGate.
The focus of the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Biomechanics Laboratory is collaboration between clinicians and engineers to improve treatment methods for patients with a variety of medical conditions. It also provides opportunities for practicing physicians, residents, engineering students and medical students to participate in research.
The Biomechanics Laboratory utilizes engineering concepts to expand clinical knowledge of normal human function, alterations in function from a disease or injury, and responses to clinical treatment. Some engineering concepts include mechanical evaluation of hard and soft tissues, advanced image analysis of diagnostic images, and simulation of joint function from in vitro and computational methods. For example, the strength and stiffness of various rotator cuff repairs were evaluated with mechanical testing. Diagnostic imaging has been used to evaluate biomarkers for viable brain tissue following acute ischemic stroke. Furthermore, surgical treatment options of patellofemoral instability were assessed using computational and in vitro simulation of knee function.
The key resources within the laboratory include two material testing machines, video based and electromagnetic 3D tracking systems, a thin film pressure measurement system, device fabrication facilities including a 3D printer, and facilities for anatomical dissection. Several workstations are available with software for computer aided design, construction of graphical models from MRI and CT, 3D manipulation of the models, technical computing, multibody dynamics analysis, and statistical analysis of data. Funding for projects within the laboratory is obtained from a wide variety of grants and contracts from federal agencies, foundations and industry partners.
