Facilities and Equipment

MSU Center for Orthopedic Research (MSUCOR) 

MSUCOR resides at Fee Hall at Michigan State University. The Center specializes in the application of systems science to study motor control, spinal biomechanics, and musculoskeletal disorders that was supported with a $4.5 million U19 co-operative grant from the NCCIH entitled, “Systems Science Center for Musculoskeletal CAM Therapies” (U19AT006057).

The MSUCOR facilities consist of space allocated exclusively for biomechanics and model-based research. There are 2 large biomechanics labs: Lab 1 for in-vivo biomechanical testing (1152 sq. ft.) and Lab 2 for in-vitro spine testing (864 sq. ft.)), a computer lab, staff offices (with additional space for residents and visiting scholars), and a conference room.

The MSUCOR is well-equipped for in-vivo human experiments as well as anatomical preparation of specimens and in-vitro biomechanical testing. The equipment consists of commercial and custom-built devices for assessing various parameters of motor control (head/neck and trunk) and in-vitro testing. Equipment specific to evaluating motor control include: 2 EMG systems (custom-made and Delsys), motion capture system (Phoenix), 6-DOF force plate (Kiestler), devices for position and force-tracking, and seated balance performance. Specific to in-vitro testing, MSUCOR has two hexapod parallel robotic devices, a custom-built materials testing system, 6-DOF load cells (AMTI), video fluoroscopy (mini-C-arm), microscope with HD camera, and histology materials. Several PC and Apple computers, equipped with data acquisition hardware and data analysis and statistical software, are available. MSUCOR has also machine and electronics shops.

Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratories (OBL) 

The OBL is located on the 4th floor of East Fee Hall at Michigan State University. Dr. Feng Wei is the Co-Director of the OBL. The OBL is a unique research facility uniting the work of engineers, clinicians, and biologists dedicated to applied basic science research of the musculoskeletal system for humans and animals. The primary focus of the research laboratories is to understand mechanisms of osteoarthritis and investigate methods of diagnosis, intervention, and prevention of this disease. In these investigations, the OBL utilizes in vivo animal models, human cadavers, and mathematical models to study blunt joint trauma. The OBL also conducts experiments on athletic and workplace footwear in cooperation with various manufacturers. These studies specifically examine the durability, comfortability, and the ability of footwear to help protect the body from injury.

Through experimentation involving biomechanical tests, histological analyses, biochemical assays, and mathematical model analyses, the OBL seeks to answer the many questions that evolve when studying various musculoskeletal diseases and related problems. OBL resources and capability are listed below:

1. Trauma Biomechanics laboratory (480 sq. ft.) - MTS servo-hydraulic testing machine with two linear and one rotational axes.
2. Biomaterials Testing laboratory (480 sq. ft.) - Instron servo-hydraulic testing machine.
3. Gait Analysis laboratory (960 sq. ft.) – AMTI force plate implemented track, Nautilus treadmill, VICON motion capture system, Delsys EMG system, temperature and humidity testing equipment.
4. Tissue Culture laboratory (480 sq. ft.) - laminar flow hood, fluorescent microscope and CO2 incubators.
5. Histopathology laboratory (480 sq. ft.) - slide preparation, microscopic analysis.
6. Biochemistry laboratory (480 sq. ft.) - spectrophotometer, microplate reader, micro centrifuge.
7. Machine Shop (480 sq. ft.) - machinery for experimental fixture construction and repairs.
8. Electrical Shop (480 sq. ft.) - network server and computer and instrument repairs.
9. Office Suites - There is a collaborative space with computer access and adjoining student offices with desk space for up to ten students.
10. Computers: personal computers (~10) in the labs and offices are connected on the OBL network and to University. A full-range of software is available including Microsoft Office, Adobe Create Suite, ABAQUS, Solidworks, MIMICS, Labview, MATLAB, SigmaSTAT, ImageJ, etc.

MSU OMM Biomechanics Research Lab

Motion Capture Laboratory: The PI is assigned a 1600 sq ft laboratory dedicated to motion capture data collection. These laboratory facilities were specifically designed and equipped for capturing motion, movement and balance of patients and research participants utilizing the Vicon system. The lab is located in the lower level of the PI's building. Included in the lab are a treatment room, conference room for consenting patients, and a dedicated changing room. Patient parking is readily available outside of the building.

The OMM and Biomechanics Lab is fitted with the foremost motion capture technology. Currently, there are 12 Vicon cameras: four Vantage V5, six Vero V2.2, and two Vue cameras capable of up to 240 frames per second, allowing near real-time capture of subjects. The Nexus data capture software has automated features, intelligent processing along with host of other features developed specifically for Life Sciences.

Along with the Vicon system, the lab is outfitted with an AMTI Force-Sensing Tandem Treadmill with embedded force plates. This tandem belt treadmill allows subjects to maintain a normal gait and has capabilities to mimic walking and running in an uphill and downhill conditions.

Nexus software is also designed to have a native input to MatLab, a “desktop environment for analysis and design with programming that expresses matrix and array mathematics directly.” Researchers can build MATLAB processing scripts and see immediate results. Using MATLAB, we can create input for OpenSim, a state-of-the-art modelling software that allows us to create muscle models for each subject’s data.

Clinical: MSU's Department of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (OMM) clinic is the largest of its kind (OMM exclusively) in the US with 12 Board Certified Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine faculty and 27,000 patient visits a year. On average 50% of these patients suffer from chronic lower back pain. In addition, the campus has 50,000 patients available for recruitment.