Name:	Nick Drury
Title:	Graduate Student

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University of Rochester - Biomedical Engineering - May 2006 - B.S.


Shoulder biomechanics

Musculoskeletal Research Center
405 Center for Bioengineering
300 Technology Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-648-1943
Fax: 412-648-2001
njd20@pitt.edu

• Musculo-Skeletal motion and Gait Analysis
• Computational Modeling
• Sports injuries and rehabilitation

In the extreme shoulder joint positions that accompany dislocations and other shoulder injuries, the Glenohumeral Capsule is the primary source of stability to the joint. Clinicians performing surgeries for dislocations focus on this region to provide stability to the joint and a return to normal function. The current surgical techniques, however, often leave patients with pain, instability, and limited motion. A greater understanding of the mechanical properties of the Glenohumeral Capsule, particularly the strain distribution throughout the capsule at different shoulder motions, can lead to more effective surgical techniques that more effectively return normal function to the shoulder.
Finite element models of the Glenohumeral Capsule (Figure 1) allow for a direct, non-invasive correlation between different joint positions and the subsequent capsular strain distribution. My work thus involves creating subject-specific Finite Element models of the Glenohumeral Capsule, for which strain analysis can be performed. By creating multiple subject-specific models, we intend to obtain capsular strain data that can represent the population. Experimental capsular strains (Figure 2) will be obtained through the use of a USF-robot and a motion tracking system at prescribed joint positions, and validation of the finite element models will be done by comparing the experimental strains with computational capsular strains at the same respective joint positions.


Figure 1: Finite Element model of Glenohumeral Capsule, anterior view




Figure 2: Model Validation, Compare experimental strains (left) with computational strains (right)



Before coming to Pitt I majored in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Rochester. I was an undergraduate researcher in the Orthopedic Biomechanics Group, doing work with bone/cartilage interfaces and computational joint kinematics. My senior design project involved the creation of a portable head acceleration measuring device (Figure 3). The objective of the project was to develop a means of obtaining head center of mass accelerations for daily living activities, so as to produce low-end, non-injurious head acceleration data to compare with traumatic and whiplash head accelerations from car accidents. My senior design group chose sport goggles as the means of attaching our accelerometers and circuitry to the head. Carrie Voycheck, my lab partner in the shoulder group at the MSRC, was actually one of my senior design partners at Rochester. You could say we’re getting to know each other’s work styles very well.


I was also very active with the Catholic Newman Community at Rochester, serving as the Co-President of the Steering Committee, leading retreats, helping with the RCIA program, and participating in community service opportunities. I was involved in BMES, Tau Beta Pi, and was a Resident Advisor for freshmen housing for two years.


Senior Design project


I grew up in Weedsport, NY, a small town outside of Syracuse. I am the seventh of eight kids, and love coming from a big family. I have two parents, five sisters, two brothers, and a growing number of nieces and nephews.


Family


Girlfriend

Hobbies/Sports: Football, basketball, golf, working out

Home Country: USA