Institute for BiomechanicsOpen OpportunitiesKnee OA is driven by repetitive knee (over-)loading during dynamic daily activities, and results in progressive degenerative changes to the joint cartilage and considerable pain. It has been estimated that over 50% of symptomatic knee OA subjects will undergo total knee arthroplasty once the disease progresses to late stage, resulting in an enormous socio-economic burden as well as long-term impairments to the patient’s health.
Knee OA is especially prevalent in subjects with varus or valgus limb alignment due to predominant loading on only a single femoral condyle. While specially designed shoes and wedged inlays have been shown to modify dynamic impact loading, and slightly relieve knee pain during walking, their low-to-medium efficacy and user’s discomfort limit their mitigating effects on the progression of knee OA.
We aim to test shoes with special sole geometries that can modify gait patterns and joint moments, while assessment of tibiofemoral kinematics will be provided though assessment in the unique moving dual-plane fluoroscopy suite at ETH Zürich.
- Biomechanical Engineering, Biomechanics, Medical Physics, Numerical Analysis
- ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Internship, Master Thesis, Semester Project, Student Assistant / HiWi
| Accurate non-invasive assessment modalities that incorporate both scapular motion and its morphology are currently unavailable, presenting a clear need for sustainable clinical application. To address this need, the Laboratory for Movement Biomechanics (LMB) utilizes a unique optical 4D scanning system (SLOT) to estimate the underlying anatomical structures using non-invasive structured light to produce high-quality images of the human skin surface, both statically and dynamically. By utilizing the clear cutaneous surface contours surrounding the scapula, the application of this technology to the shoulder joint could allow a novel non-invasive and dynamic approach for estimating scapular kinematics that overcomes the challenges associated with soft-tissue artifacts. The key challenge in the development of this approach is the precise identification and tracking of relevant scapula landmarks, as well as soft tissue artifacts, all of which are expected to affect the accuracy of the SLOT-measured kinematics. - Engineering and Technology, Information, Computing and Communication Sciences
- Master Thesis
| To date, there is still very limited progress in developing organoid models for human musculoskeletal tissues such as bone. A major challenge is reconstructing the native bone microenvironment which is structurally and functionally complex. In this project, we leverage interdisciplinary advances in tissue engineering and microtechnologies to generate a microengineered bone-organoid-on-chip platform for both fundamental and translational research in medicine. - Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Interdisciplinary Engineering, Macromolecular Chemistry, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering
- Internship, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Following accidents or due to ageing it can be necessary to replace an intervertebral disc with an implant, a so-called Total Disc Replacement (TDR). Such devices enable motion though a bearing. While this treatment is clinically successful, there is still room for improvement in terms of complication and reoperation rates. Therefore, we are optimizing the design of such an implant to address these issues.
While many different designs are used in clinical practice, there is no consensus on which design is most beneficial. However, it is hypothesized, that replicating the situation that is present in healthy humans as closely as possible, is optimal. Therefore, this master’s thesis project aims at optimizing the implants bearing to replicate the healthy loads in the spine (in the facet joints, ligaments and possibly in the IVDs of the adjacent levels).
This is done using parametric design optimization in the optimization software LS-OPT based on finite element simulations and a surrogate model. Multiple load cases are considered.
This project builds upon previous work on the optimization of the bearing and the bone-implant interface. - Engineering and Technology
- Master Thesis
| Our goal is to establish a heterocellular 3D printed bone organoid model comprising all major bone cell types (osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts) to recapitulate bone remodeling units in an in vitro system. The organoids will be produced with the human cells, as they could represent human pathophysiology better than animal models, and eventually could replace them. These in vitro models could be used in the advancement of next-generation personalised treatment strategies. Our tools are different kinds of 3D bioprinting platforms, bio-ink formulations, hydrogels, mol-bioassays, and time-lapsed image processing of micro-CT scans. - Biomaterials, Biomechanical Engineering, Cell Development (incl. Cell Division and Apoptosis), Cellular Interactions (incl. Adhesion, Matrix, Cell Wall), Polymers
- Bachelor Thesis, ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Internship, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Parkinson's disease is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition in individuals over 60 years old. It results from impaired dopaminergic cells in the basal ganglia, leading to gait disturbances and reduced independence. While treatment options like dopamine replacement therapies and Deep-Brain Stimulation (DBS) exist, not all patients benefit from DBS. The lack of reliable biomarkers hampers understanding of surgical outcomes. A new DBS device enables wireless recording of subcortical brain activity, offering novel insights into Parkinson's subcortical activity. To explore personalized therapies, this study will measure the gait performance, neuro-activities like deep brain activity as well as electroencephalography (EEG) during walking in Parkinson's patients. Combining cortical (EEG) and subcortical (DBS) recordings aim to investigate comprehensive brain activity during pathological gait. - Information, Computing and Communication Sciences, Medical and Health Sciences
- Collaboration, Internship, Lab Practice, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Understanding knee kinematics is a key requirement for understanding the processes occurring during injury or pathology as well as their remedies. Compared to optical systems, x-ray fluoroscopy directly measures the joint kinematics without soft-tissue artifacts and is thus the method of choice whenever such high performance is required.
To extract the 3D knee kinematics the rendering of each bone (3D geometry acquired independently by e.g. CT) is matched to the x-ray image in a process called 2D-3D pose estimation or 'image registration'. Current manual pose-estimation methods are time-consuming, expensive, and prone to operator bias. For example, a 10-second trial measurement acquired at 30 Hz consists of about 300 images and takes an experienced operator about 1500 minutes to match manually.
Since most studies often consist of thousands of images, an automated way of performing pose estimation to assist or replace manual alignment becomes crucial.
- Biomedical Engineering, Image Processing
- ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Background:
The Laboratory of Orthopedic Technology has recently developed a novel joint implant and is undergoing optimization of the manufacturing process. We are looking for a master's student who is passionate about medical devices and mechanical design to join us for a semester project.
Objectives:
• Design different molds for material casting using SolidWorks or Fusion 360.
• Optimize implant using matlab or Python.
• Utilize 3D printing or laser cutting to create the molds.
• Conduct mechanical tests on the implants.
Your Profile:
• Strong knowledge in mechanical design and drawing skills.
• Hands-on and detail-oriented.
• Experience with SolidWorks or Fusion 360, as well as Python or Matlab.
Timeframe:
Starting ASAP until the end of September.
- CAD/CAM Systems, Flexible Manufacturing Systems, Mechanical Engineering, Polymers
- ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Semester Project
| Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative movement disorders affecting over 10 million people worldwide. Symptoms like impaired gait and postural instability can cause falls and highly impair patients’ mobility. The consequences of falls include fractures, hospital admissions, loss of independence, fear of falls, social isolation and early mortality. Falls are cited as one of the worst aspects of PD and unfortunately few efficacious interventions are available. - Engineering and Technology, Medical and Health Sciences
- Master Thesis, Semester Project
| This project endeavors to explore the dynamic interplay among calcium ions, bone graft substitutes, and resident immune cells in both orthotopic and ectopic environments, employing advanced ratiometric imaging techniques. - Biomaterials, Cellular Interactions (incl. Adhesion, Matrix, Cell Wall)
- Bachelor Thesis, Internship, Master Thesis, Semester Project
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