Neuro And Ortho
Biomechanics Lab
ABOUT US
At the “Neuro-rehabilitation and Ortho Biomechanics Lab”, our aims are to investigate the mechanism and treatment of central nervous system injury. The research also extends to cover various aspects of orthopedic biomechanics research when combined with central nervous system injury such as spinal cord injury (SCI). In an existing research our team is investigating the outcomes of a combinatorial treatment strategy by injection of bioengineered scaffold (PNIPAAm-PEG) secreting neurotrophins (BDNF+NT3) into the injury site and rehabilitation training using a body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) approach in a clinically relevant contusion SCI model. In additional to investigating the functional and anatomical effects of these combinational treatment strategies, our lab also performs microCT and biomechanical tests on the SCI bones to investigate the effects of these treatment strategies on occurrence of fracture. Another area of our research is to determine the extent of functional deficit and anatomical changes in neonatal brachial plexus nerve using piglet animal models. Having a better understanding of the severity of injury in the involved brachial plexus complex, which is directly related to predicting the potential for spontaneous recovery, as well as the overall prognosis is needed to advance the current obstetrical care. In addition to these basic science projects, the students also perform ASTM testing of medical devices/implants and are involved in design of new devices/implants.
RECENT NEWS
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Widener School of Engineering Faculty Dr. Singh Receives the Prestigious National Science Foundation’s CAREER Award
Dr. Anita Singh, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the Widener University School of Engineering received the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award. This multi-year research grant of $549,214 is one of the foundation’s most prestigious awards that will allow her to continue her innovative research on the prevention of neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NPBB), a birth-related injury that can cause loss of movement or weakness of the arm. Through her research, Singh aims to develop possible preventative and treatment strategies that can advance the science of neonatal care.
The School of Engineering was awarded a multi-year academic research enhancement award (AREA) grant for $417,185 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The award through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development will provide funding for Dr. Anita Singh, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, to conduct research through the summer of 2020 in collaboration with Hahnemann Hospital and Shiners Hospitals for Children. The purpose of this grant is to support meritorious research, expose students to hands-on research, and strengthen the research environment in schools.
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Shania Shaji won a BMES Undergraduate Design and Research Award for her extended abstract: Biomechanical Properties of Neonatal Brachial Plaxus
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Gabrielle Gehron will deliver an oral podium presentation at the BMES 2016 annual meeting titled "Changes in Bone Mass after Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training in Spinal Chord Injuries"
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Tulsi Patel won the Widener Summer Research Symposium 2015 poster award in the Engineering catergory
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Bridgette Saverine, Shania Shaji, and Tusli Patel presented their summer research projects at the Widener Summer Research Syposium 2015
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Babitha Tom and Sarah Townsend attended the BMES 2015 Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
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Singh A, Magee R, Balasubramanian S. (2019) “In vivo Biomechanical Testing of Brachial Plexus in Neonatal Piglets”, JOVE (Accepted)
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Singh A (2019) “Available Computational and Physical Models to Understand the Mechanisms of Neonatal Brachial Plexus Injury During Shoulder Dystocia”, Journal of Neurology and Neurosurgery (Available Online)
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Singh A, Shaji S, Delivoria M, Balasubramanian S. (2018) “Biomechanical Properties of Neonatal Brachial Plexus”. Journal of Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve. 13(1), e8-e14
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Tom B, Witko J, Lemay M, Singh A. (2018) “Effects of Bioengineered Scaffold Loaded with Neurotrophins and Locomotor Training in Restoring H-Reflex Responses after Spinal Cord Injury”. Experimental Brain Research. Experimental Brain Research. Nov; 236(11):3077-3084. doi: 10.1007/s00221-018-5344-x
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Singh A, Ferry D, Mills S. (2018) “Improving Biomedical Engineering Education Through Continuity in Adaptive, Experiential and Interdisciplinary Learning Environments”. ASME J Biomech Eng. 140(8), 081009. Paper No: BIO-18-1165; doi: 10.1115/1.4040359
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Singh A. (2017) “A New Approach to Teaching Biomechanics Through Active, Adaptive, and Experiential Learning”. ASME. J Biomech Eng. 139(7):071001-071001-7. doi:10.1115/1.4036604
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Singh A. (2017) “Extent of Impaired Axoplasmic Transport and Neurofilament Compaction in Traumatically Injured Axon at Various Strains and Strain Rates, Brain Injury”. Jun 26:1-9. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2017.1321781. [Epub ahead of print]
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Balasubramanian S, Peters JR, Robinson LF, Singh A, Kent RW. (2016) “Thoracic spine morphology of a pseudo-biped animal model (kangaroo) and comparisons with human and quadruped animals”. Eur Spine J. 25(12):4140-4154
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Singh A, Townsend S. (2016) “The Effects of Testing Surface While Studying SCI Induced Mechanical Allodynia in Contusion Animal Model”. JSM Neurosurg Spine 4(1): 1064