Dr. Josh Roth

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Title: Enhancing clinical diagnostics and treatment planning in orthopedics using ultrasound

Abstract: Understanding how a joint moves is fundamental to diagnostics and treatment planning for musculoskeletal injuries, diseases, and disorders. Unfortunately, currently available approaches are subjective, are inaccurate, subject patients to ionizing radiation, and/or require specialized equipment, which limits their broad utility in the clinic. Ultrasound is an attractive imaging modality for tracking joint motion because it enables direct visualization of the bones, is generally available and familiar in a wide range of clinical environments, and does not expose patients to ionizing radiation. In this keynote, I will overview my group’s efforts to develop and translate ultrasound-based assessments of knee biomechanics into the clinic to enhance diagnostics and treatment planning.

Bio: Josh Roth is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He directs the Biomechanical Advances in Medicine (BAM) Lab. The mission of the BAM Lab is to enhance personalized treatments of musculoskeletal injuries and disease. To fulfill this mission, he and his lab conduct in silico, ex vivo, and in vivo studies as well as develop and translate technologies to measure joint and tissue biomechanics to enhance planning, execution, and evaluation in the clinical environment. The current focus of most of the lab’s projects are on enhancing treatments for osteoarthritis.

Dr. Deanna Gates

University of Michigan

Title: Improving mobility and balance through novel approaches to prosthetic design and control

Abstract: With a prosthetic device, people with a lower limb amputation can remain physically active. However, most do not achieve medically recommended physical activity standards, have decreased functional mobility, and are at a high risk of falling.  These deficits likely arise from a variety of factors including changes in residual muscle function and limitations of the prosthesis itself.  This talk will focus on several recent and ongoing studies exploring the role of the prosthetic socket and residual musculature on mobility and falls in people with transfemoral amputation.  It will also highlight recent work in providing volitional control of prostheses and sensory feedback through regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces (RPNIs).

Bio: Deanna Gates, Ph.D., is a Professor of Movement Science, Biomedical Engineering, and Robotics at the University of Michigan.  She earned her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia (2002), M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University (2004), and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin (2009).  Dr. Gates worked in engineering consulting and in civilian and military clinical gait laboratories, before arriving at the University of Michigan in 2012.  The goal of her research program is to improve function and quality of life in individuals with amputations.  Her research explores the factors that relate to a person’s ability to successfully use prosthetic devices, how to train individuals for optimal use, and the development of appropriate outcome measures to assess success of new technology.