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. The contribution of the anatomical characteristics of the brain and spine towards Chiari malformation was determined through analysis of diagnostic images. 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.
For detailed information on projects within the laboratory, refer to the publications that are listed on this site or at:
For more information about Akron General’s Biomechanics Lab, call 330.344.6176 or 330.344.6791.
