Spine Biomechanics Laboratory

For the in vitro simulation of complex motion and loading characteristics of spinal specimens we developed a spine loading apparatus which allows the in vitro tetsting of monosegmental and polysegmental specimens of all regions of the spine. The specimens can move in an unconstrained manner in all six degrees of freedom (flexion/extension, lateral bending to the left and to the right, axial compression and decompression, shear forces in sagittal and frontal plane). Intra discal pressure transducers record the loading of the discs and the strain in the ligaments.
Furthermore muscle forces, body weight and external forces can be simulated by the pneumatic system.