Spine Biomechanics Laboratory

The spine biomechanics (SB) lab is just one of several that comprise the Biomechanics Laboratories. The broad mandate of the SB lab is to work toward understanding how the low back functions, how it becomes injured and then, formulate and test various strategies for optimal injury prevention and rehabilitation, and high performance training.

The physical lab is housed in two rooms - one for in vivo work with living humans, and another for in vitro work on spine specimens, both areas are well equipped.

The lab is funded with NSERC operating grants plus many industrial R & D grants and contracts.

In Vitro Area

Instron servo hydraulic testing machines with additional servo mechanical torque actuators
Acceleration sled for tissue impact loading
X-ray suite with digital processing
Micro CT Scanner and quantification software for density, and geometric measures
Various jigs for testing compressive, tensile, shearing and bending loads
Dissection station
Intra-discal high pressure transducer
Full multichannel A/D capability
Precision tissue sectioning saw

In Vivo Area

Full 16 channel A/D capability
3D Video system
32 channel Electromyography
3 SPACE 3D spine motion monitor
Intra-abdominal pressure catheter
Stadiometer (spine shrinkage)
Vibrating chair
Passive spine bending (float) apparatus
Various exertion jigs and devices
Load cells
Tekscan pressure mats
Modelling system to quantify spine tissue loading and stability

In Vitro Spine Tissue Lab

photo of xrays
Examining Digital Xray Images

photo of CT scanner close up photo of ct scanner
CT Scanner, and Spine Specimen in Scanner

photo of preparing a specimen
Working on the Disk Herniation Machine

In Vivo Testing Lab

photo of high performance athlete
In the In Vivo Lab we measure the spine mechanics in people. Our two specialties are the low-functioning backs, and also the high performance athletes.

photo of high performance athlete 2
Examining Martial Arts Techniques and Spine Mechanics

photo of high performance athlete 3
Quantifying the "Strongman" Tasks

photo of high performace athelete 4 photo of high performance athlete 5
Quantifying Occupational Tasks - in this Example Firefighters Tests: Breaking Doors with Sledgehammer, and Body Drag

Current Personnel

Director	Stuart McGill
PhD Candidates	Christian Balkovec Ed Cambridge Dave Frost
MSc Candidates	Dianne Ikeda Ben Lee Natalie Sidorkewicz
Laboratory Technicians	Jordan Andersen