Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Research

Researchers in orthopedic and sports medicine at MedStar Health have access to several state-of-the-art labs to conduct their research. A total of 10,000 square feet of well-equipped research space is dedicated to orthopedic research and surgical skills training. These facilities support resident and fellow projects and education, company-sponsored grants, and NIH and foundation-funded research.

Biomechanical Research and Surgical Techniques and Technology (STAT) and Laboratories

The Biomechanical Research Laboratory at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital is dedicated to performing advanced biomechanical experiments. This laboratory is one of the first research labs in the country to use a KUKA QUANTEC Robotic Arm. This 6-degree-of-freedom simulator can mimic natural joint kinetics and kinematics to test orthopedic implants and novel therapies. The robotic manipulator controller receives data from a 3D tracking camera and various external transducers simultaneously to measure parameters such as displacement, joint forces and torques, and contact pressure. Static and fatigue testing of specimens can also be conducted in the laboratory using a hydraulic MTS Bionix unit.

The Surgical Techniques and Technology (STAT) Laboratory is a state-of-the-art laboratory offering multi-station facilities for surgical techniques training. The conference room and lab area have interactive audio/visual connections to two MedStar Union Memorial Hospital’s OR suites, providing an ideal environment for training in innovative surgical techniques.

For more information, contact Biomechanical Research and STAT laboratories director Pooyan Abbasi, MS, at Pooyan.Abbasi@medstar.net.

Musculoskeletal Research Center

Onsite at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, the Musculoskeletal Research Center (MRC) is a state-of-the-art 3,500 square-foot laboratory dedicated to musculoskeletal research with core areas of research capability stratified into six categories:

1. Micro-Computed Tomography
2. Biomechanical Testing
3. Histology
4. 3D Printing
5. In vivo biological modeling
6. Resident and fellowship training

 
Fully equipped with the latest advancements in robotics and virtual laboratory training, the MRC is designed to serve as a regional resource center for researchers, residents, fellows, and attending clinicians within the MedStar Health network and a site for collaboration between private industry and academic centers.

This laboratory contains a 6-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) musculoskeletal simulator designed to apply controlled multidirectional motions in flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial rotations to musculoskeletal structures. An optoelectronic motion analysis system is typically integrated into biomechanical testing platforms to quantify and compare segmental kinematics after destabilizing or reconstructing musculoskeletal structures.

For further information, contact the MRC director, Bryan W. Cunningham, PhD, at Bryan.W.Cunningham@medstar.net.

Microsurgical Laboratory

The Microsurgical Laboratory, accredited by the AAALAC, is available for pre-clinical research studies and training in microsurgical procedures. The facility contains three dissecting microscopes and a full complement of related microsurgical instruments. In-depth training courses are available on a wide array of microsurgical neurovascular models.

For more information, please contact Sione Fanua, Microsurgery Instructor, Researcher, Microsurgical Lab, at Sione.Fanua@medstar.net.

Curtis National Hand Center

The Curtis National Hand Center is the preeminent Center for hand and upper extremity surgery. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the Curtis National Hand Center treats patients from around the country, performing cutting-edge hand and upper extremity surgical procedures. The Center also provides advanced Fellowship training to surgeons pursuing the hand and upper extremity sub-specialty.

For more information, please contact Aviram Giladi, Research Director, Curtis National Hand Center at giladi@curtishand.com.