Centre Programs Collaborate for Translational Research Success 

Last year Dr Bart Bolsterlee and Dr Dermot O’Rourke were awarded funding for the seed grant project to advance the field of Biomechanics. The opportunity was provided to develop confidence and proof-of-concept of novel biomechanical approaches to transform capabilities of Australia in the medtech/orthopaedic industry.  

Dr Dermot O’Rourke was awarded a grant to investigate his project ‘Toward Precision Tracking of The Shoulder Joint Using Ultrasound Tomography,’ with his team of Dr Max Lavaill, Ahmed Sewify, Prof Davide Fontanarosa, Prof Glen Lichtwark, A/Prof Saulo Martelli. 

This project aims to establish a protocol for the measurement of humerus and scapular position with a US tomography and determine the accuracy of the Ultrasound based system bone positions in motion capture systems when the body is in a static position. If this can be confirmed by the research of the team it provides a better option for gathering data than current best practices of kinematics valuable for assessment, which is expensive, exposes participants to ionising radiation and has high skin mounted marker errors. With US tomography being safe and non-invasive, visualises underlying bone. The long-term clinical impact allows for a reliable reproduction of captured Bone motion for studying Joint stability, joint reconstruction methods, and implant testing during movements of daily activities. This can provide more personalised patient care through less invasive techniques.  

The findings to date are promising with accurate bone position using VICON tracking and future research into Investigating ultrasound reconstruction error, positions of elevation and replicability of results across trials.  

This has been a collaborative effort with surgical fellow Dr Helen Ingoe helping to run an experimental protocol which combines 3D ultrasound imaging, optical motion capture and cadaveric specimens. It’s been fantastic to have access to such equipment and expertise without which this research wouldn’t have been possible. It’s vital to the centre to have collaboration from clinical partners at the conception of a research project to ensure a long-term view of patient application as well as clinical training.  

Dr Bart Bolsterlee. and Dr Eleonore Bolle are project leaders on research into ‘Biomechanical characteristics of the human supraspinatus tendon in vivo under physiological loading.’ this has progressed well with updates given at the 2023 symposium. Project co-investigators include Dr Freek Hollman, Miss Yilan (Olivia) Zhang Miss Asawari P., and Miss Sepideh Shemshad Industry mentors: Prof. Lynne Bilston (University of New South Wales) and Adj. Prof. Ken Cutbush Doctor at Dr Kenneth Cutbush Shoulder Clinic.  

The project aims to understand the mechanical load the tendon experiences under normal loading conditions by developing a computational framework that can estimate stresses and strains in the human supraspinatus tendon (SPT) under physiological loading conditions in vivo. This information is currently a gap within the literature, due to the difficulty in measuring tendon loading in living humans, however, once an anatomically/physiological model is attained the predictive outcomes of recovery from shoulder joint surgery will help improve the ~21% (after two years) Re-tear rates of Rotator cuff tendons, improving quality of life.  

The stage approach is first to determine the linear and viscoelastic mechanical properties of human SPT ex vivo. Then measure SPT strain and muscle activation under physiological loading conditions in humans in vivo. Finally, develop and validate a finite element model of the SPT muscle-tendon complex. 

There are positive initial results towards the development of a computational framework that integrates ex vivo and in vivo data to simulate muscle-tendon mechanics. This will further the research on tendons aligning with the centre’s goals of high-quality collaborative research outputs and developing transformational technologies to improve patient care.  

On behalf of Dr Bart Bolsterlee. Dr Eleonore Bolle and Dr Dermot O’Rourke, the seed projects initial results look promising with fantastic progress and published findings still to come.