Both large animal testing and human cadaver analysis are used to assess the in vivo function of novel devices, interventions, and therapeutics, plus to further validate the predictive computational models developed developed by SC-TRIMH investigators. Large animal imaging and motion & gait analysis are used for the functional assessment of the new devices, interventions, and therapeutics. These can also be tested using a fully functional human cadaver lab. Existing research facilities for animals within the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, and human cadaver lab within the Clemson University Biomedical Engineering Innovation Campus are unified in this core.
Objective: Provide mentoring and strategic planning for the use of live large animal models (LAM) and/or human cadaver models (HMC) in their research programs to enhance research and innovation competitiveness in the field of musculoskeletal health.
Aims:
Expertise and support for pre-clinical animal modeling.
Facilitators for junior investigators to develop pre-clinical models (animal and human cadavers).
Enhance capabilities and grow pre-clinical research activities.
Services and Facilities:
PAC-LAM Thrust: Surgical support equipment in the Godley Snell Research Center includes Shoreline stainless steel heated hydraulic tilt surgery tables, isoflurane anesthesia machines with mechanical ventilators, patient monitors with ECG & pulse oximeter, Bovie electrosurgical generators, defibrillator. Full complement of surgical instruments and sterilization include Stryker System 5 - Battery-Powered surgical tools, Bovie AARON 2250 Model 3000 electrical surgical generators, Steris AMSCO Century Steam Sterilizer, AMSCO 3043-S Pass-Through Steam Sterilizer. Imaging equipment include a table-mounted X-ray machine, MinXray portable X-ray unit, radiolucent X-ray table, Elkin Mark IV digital processor, IVIS® Lumina XR (Caliper Life Sciences) multi-model imaging system utilizing fluorescence, bioluminescence and X-ray, Bruker Skycan 1175 high resolution low dose Micro-CT in vivo imaging system and a Medison Pico from Universal Ultrasound with three probes ( 5 - 9 MHZ linear probe, 2 - 4 MHz small convex probe, 4 - 9 MHz micro convex probe).
GSRC provides laboratory animal housing for large and small research animals and other species as required. In addition to conventional caging, micro-isolator cages and metabolism cages are available. BSL-2 rooms are available for housing for projects needing animal isolation. All animal rooms, operating and procedure rooms have 100% fresh air and centrally controlled temperature, humidity, air-flow, pressure differentials and light cycles. Environmental parameters are monitored continuously using a computer controlled monitoring system with dial out alarms.
PAC-HMC Thrust: The Human Cadaveric Surgery Lab has the capability of 12 full dissection stations, 7 of which are hardwired for arthroscopy. The lab has a full set of basic instruments for dissection, and has the ability to accept, store, prep, and dispose of cadaveric and human specimens. Each station has mounting equipment to position anatomic specimens for essentially all surgical approaches. Storage facilities include walk-in cooler and 5 floor model freezers. Further, the lab has access to fluoroscopic equipment for radiographic analysis as well as ultrasound equipment. Dual plane fluoroscopy, electromagnetic tracking, and kinematics are available in the core at CUBEInC.
Full service for IACUC protocol development, consultation on veterinary and surgical protocols, and orthopaedic surgery for musculoskeletal research.
