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Sample Project: Analysis of Artificial Knee Performance Using Medical Imaging

Overview

It is estimated that over 500,000 artificial knee joints are implanted each year in the United States, with an international market of an even larger magnitude. The knee implants available today are highly engineered devices and are the results of many years and many millions of dollars of research in materials science, mechanics, and bioengineering. As such, most of the major problems associated with early models of knee implants, such as fixation and material biocompatibility, have been solved. The biggest problem now affecting the performance of these devices is related to the wear behavior of the polymer component. At present, there are limited methods of evaluating the wear behavior of an implant in vivo; the best wear analyses are based on measurements taken after the implant has been removed from the patient.

The objective of this project is to investigate possible methods of analyzing the wear behavior of a knee implant in vivo using medical imaging technology. The students involved will gain knowledge in materials science, mechanics, bioengineering, software design, medical imaging, and orthopedics. Students will also have the experience of working closely with radiologists and orthopedic surgeons, and with engineering researchers in both academia and industry.

Goals

Students will design and build a phantom knee joint that can accommodate several different models of knee implants. Students will then work with radiologists to obtain medical imaging data of the implants, possibly using various techniques including CT, MR, x-ray, and/or ultrasound. Students will work with us to utilize and/or develop software tools to analyze the imaging data and to qualitatively evaluate the wear behavior of the implants.

Deliverables

  1. A phantom knee joint designed to accept several different implants. The phantom must be able to bend like a real knee joint and display similar imaging properties. A mounting device must also be constructed to hold the phantom knee at various bending angles when imaged.
  2. Imaging data sets (electronic files) obtained from scans of the phantom knee joint with several different implants, and possibly from various imaging modalities (CT, MR, etc.).
  3. A clear, detailed, and well-written guide explaining the techniques used to analyze the imaging data for evaluation of implant wear.
  4. A comparative study of the implant wear properties measured using the imaging analysis tools versus traditional ex vivo techniques.

Required Facilities

Imaging equipment, imaging analysis software and tools will be made available.

Knowledge Areas Needed for Project

  • Solid mechanics
  • Biomedical engineering
  • Statics and dynamics
  • Engineering graphics (CAD/CAM)

Proprietary Information and Confidentiality Requirements

  • Confidentiality required for sponsor-provided information
  • Intellectual property ownership rights retained by sponsor
  • Sponsor accepts responsibility to discuss IP ownership directly with the student project team and project advisor