Our medical engineering laboratory is home to an industrial 6 degree-of-freedom robotic testing facility, “George”, used for mechanical characterisation of musculoskeletal systems and tissues. ‘George’ is capable of complex multi-axis motion and using custom-programming, applies motion to single or multi-segmental samples to replicate physiological movements of the spine. In combination with load-torque sensors attached to the Robot frame and dedicated motion capture equipment (Optotrak Certus with ability to track 20+ individual bodies), this facility can provide comparative mechanics for both intact and implanted spinal segments.
Capabilities offered in the Medical Engineering Lab:
- Biological material testing (PC2 rated)
- Single and multi-axis mechanical testing
- 3D rapid protyping
- in vitro animal/cadaveric tissue characterisation