Spinal Implants
From: NASA Tech Briefs Insider - 07/26/2005

Mechanical and biomedical engineers at Purdue University have developed
specialized hydraulic machines and software to help industry create better
and longer-lasting implants for people suffering from spinal injuries,
disease, and age-related wear. 

Implants are attached to spines from cadavers, and then the spines are tested
in the Purdue Spine Simulator, a hydraulic machine that recreates the spine's
natural movements and shows how the implants stand up to everyday activities. 

Data from the experiments also are being used to validate a complex computer
model, which companies will use to test implants. The software is a "finite
element model," an application widely used in industry that contains a series
of geometric shapes, each providing specific data describing a part's
strength and other characteristics. 

Read the complete story at:
http://news.uns.purdue.edu/html4ever/2005/050720.Hillberry.spine.html

Links:
Kinematic Spine Simulator
http://widget.ecn.purdue.edu/~mebiomat/Bcurrent.html

Machines, Software Model Helping to Create Better Spinal Implants
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/513273/

Creating Better Spinal Implants - Hydraulic Machines and Software
http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=27952&language=spanish
http://i-newswire.com/pr38209.html
