Biomechanics & Rehabilitation Bioengineering

  • Biomechanics
  • Rehabilitation Bioengineering

Biomechanics is the study of the structure, function and motion of the mechanical aspects of biological systems.  When applied to the human body, biomechanics describes how muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments work together to produce movement under neuromuscular control.  Researchers in the Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering have expertise in Biomechanics, including impact and crash biomechanics, biomechanics of joint and spine motion, pediatric orthopaedic biomechanics, biomechanics of prosthetic and orthotic devices, and biomechanics of brain and spinal cord injury.   

Rehabilitation Bioengineering uses principles from biomechanics to develop healthcare solutions and assistive medical devices to treat individuals with disabilities and to assist in the healing of physical and cognitive functions lost due to disease or injury.  Rehabilitation engineers design and build medical assistive devices to meet a wide range of needs for patients facing mobility, communication, hearing, vision, and cognition challenges.  These devices help patients return to normal activities of daily living, employment, and education.  Rehabilitation engineers also improve upon standard rehabilitation methods to regain functions lost due to congenital disorders, disease or injury to restore mobility.

 

Biomechanics & Rehabilitation Bioengineering Laboratories

 
 

Animation of activation patterns in F2IRL CRT response researchFan Flow Integrated Research Laboratory

Dr. Lei Fan and members of the Fan Flow Integrated Research Laboratory (F2IRL) are developing a computational modeling framework to elucidate the biomechanics of brain tissue in health and following blunt force trauma to the head. 

Learn more about the F2IRL  |  Learn more about Dr. Lei Fan

 

Imaging of brain created using neural tracking softwareIntegrative Neural Engineering Rehabilitation Laboratory

Led by Dr. Brian Schmit, investigators at the Integrative Neural Engineering Rehabilitation Laboratory (INERL) have access to six separate facilities designed to facilitate research at the cross-section of biomechanics, neural and rehabilitation engineering. 

 

Learn more about INERL | Learn more about Dr. Schmit 

 

X-ray of ankle, lateral view, with colors denoting relevant structuresMotion Analysis Center at Shriners

The Motion Analysis Center at Shriners uses advanced gait and motion analysis technology to assist in the diagnosis of pediatric orthopaedic disabilities affecting gait and upper extremity movement, offering individualized treatment options for children. 

Learn more about MAC at Shriners | Learn more about Dr. Kruger 

 

Research image from Neuromotor Control LabNeuromotor Control Laboratory

Co-directed by Dr. Robert Scheidt, The Neuromotor Control Laboratory (NMCL) seeks to generate knowledge needed to develop technologies, training strategies and therapeutic interventions for facilitating motor learning in healthy individuals and for promoting rehabilitation in patients with neuromotor injury or neurodevelopmental disorders.

Learn more about the NMCL | Learn more about Dr. Scheidt

 

Imaging of pelvisOrthopaedic Rehabilitation Engineering Center

Directed by Dr. Gerald Harris, the Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Engineering Center (OREC) is comprised of four labs, three of which focus on orthopaedic rehabilitation engineering, including the Motion Analysis Laboratories, the Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, and the Center for Motion Analysis. 

Learn more about OREC | Learn more about Dr. Harris

 

TBM Lab research imagesTrauma Biomechanics Laboratory

Directed by Dr. Karthik Somasundaram, the Trauma Biomechanics Lab (TBM Lab) leverages insight from real-world crash database review, sled testing, finite element computational modeling, and statistical probability analysis to investigate the underlying mechanisms for musculoskeletal injuries and develop injury risk curves.

Learn more about the TBM Lab | Learn more about Dr. Somasundaram

 

Crash test dummy on pulse apparatusZablocki VA Medical Center Laboratories

The Zablocki VA Medical Center Laboratories (ZVAMC Labs) specialize in impact and crash biomechanics of the brain and spine.  ZVAMC Labs are home to multiple investigators, including MU-MCW Biomedical Engineering faculty Dr. Frank Pintar, Dr. Brian Stemper, and Karthik Somasundaram, as well as BME secondary faculty member Dr. Narayan Yoganandan. In addition, the labs house the Wisconsin CIREN Center, which is directed by Dr. Pintar. 

Learn more about ZVAMC Labs | Learn more about CIREN

 

 

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