In this section
Based at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's White City Campus, we are a research group with a focus on Spine Biomechanics. We use a range of tools to better understanding in the areas of spinal injury, spinal deformity and spinal surgery.
Our lab has state-of-the-art ex vivo testing capabilities, including bespoke testing rigs, a 6 DOF robot arm, a C-arm, pressure needles, water baths, and high-speed X-ray. We also have access to advanced imaging technologies, including micro-CT, 9.4T MRI, and microscopy.
We use novel computational approaches (finite element modelling, msk modelling, digital volume correlation (DVC), machine learning) to develop workflows to provide clinicians with information to inform patient treatment strategies, to better predict risk of injury, and to assess scoliosis brace designs.
We collaborate globally, with ongoing projects with colleagues in New Zealand, USA, Portugal, South Africa, Germany, Australia, Sri Lanka and India.
You can explore our recent publications below.
@article{Raftery:2024:10.3389/fbioe.2024.1511685,
author = {Raftery, K and Kargarzadeh, A and Tavana, S and Newell, N},
doi = {10.3389/fbioe.2024.1511685},
journal = {Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology},
title = {Disc degeneration influences the strain magnitude and stress distribution within the adjacent trabecular bone},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1511685},
volume = {12},
year = {2024}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - Introduction: Up to one in five will suffer from osteoporotic vertebral fracture within their lifetime. Accurate fracture prediction poses challenges using bone mineral density (BMD) measures. Trabecular bone strains may be influenced by the underlying intervertebral disc (IVD). Understanding how disc degeneration alters load distribution to the vertebra may demonstrate that supplementing fracture risk tools with IVD metrics could improve predictions. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of IVD degeneration on the stress and strain magnitude and distribution in the trabecular bone of adjacent vertebrae.Methods: Ten human cadaveric lumbar bi-segment specimens (20 IVDs, 9 degenerated, 11 nondegenerated) were µCT-imaged under 1000N. Digital volume correlation was used to quantify axial, principal, maximum shear, and von Mises strain in the superior and inferior regions of the vertebra. Volumetric BMD from quantitative-CT was used to calculate Young's modulus, which was then registered with the von Mises strain field to calculate internal von Mises stress.Results: Two bi-segments fractured during mechanical testing, resulting in N = 8 endplate regions per group. Trabecular bone adjacent to degenerated IVDs presented higher maximum principal and shear strains in the anterior region, relative to non-degenerated (peak ε1: 6020 ± 1633 µε versus 3737 ± 1548 µε, p < 0.01; peak γmax: 6202 ± 1948 µε versus 3938 ± 2086 µε, p < 0.01). Von Mises stress distribution was significantly skewed towards the anterior region in the degenerated group only (28.3 ± 10.4 %, p < 0.05). Reduced disc height correlated with increased central-region axial compressive strain, decreased central-region BMD, and increased anterior region von Mises stress (all p < 0.05).Discussion: Disc degeneration may encourage high strains to be experienced within the anterior regio
AU - Raftery,K
AU - Kargarzadeh,A
AU - Tavana,S
AU - Newell,N
DO - 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1511685
PY - 2024///
SN - 2296-4185
TI - Disc degeneration influences the strain magnitude and stress distribution within the adjacent trabecular bone
T2 - Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1511685
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1511685/full
VL - 12
ER -