Units

Laboratory of Anatomy, Biomechanics and Organogenesis

Education - Our LABO teaches anatomy to students of various programs, including medicine, dental sciences, veterinary sciences, physical therapy, occupational therapy, bioengineering, sports, nursing, pharmacy, medical biology and arts. Moreover, LABO members also teach human embryology. Research - The LABO is active in several fields thanks to its multidisciplinary staff and expertise: Biomechanics, Anatomy, Organogenesis, Embryology, Veterinary Sciences and Legal Medicine. State-of-the-art equipment is available. Clinics - The Center for Functional Evaluation (or CFE) organised by LABO offers patients, and their therapists, all services for following-up of locomotor and gesture disabilities linked to a variety of disorders (orthopeadics, neurology, etc). Clinical research is also performed at LABO. Logistics - The LABO is taking part in the organisation of various structures and international scientific events.

ULB Interdisciplinary Research Institute for Sports

U-IRIS is intended to bring together research skills existing at ULB in the fields of sports and physical activity in order to stimulate collaboration and interdisciplinary research. The research carried out within U-IRIS could be the basis of evidence-based advice in various fields of sport and physical activity. ULB and each of U-IRIS partner groups, as well as their existing activities, platforms, infrastructures and collaborations, will gain in visibility, both internally and externally in a promising and rapidly evolving field.

The research carried out by U-IRIS is designed to be both fundamental and applied. It is developed around five major axes:
- clinics / sports medicine
- high level sports / performance
- rehabilitation / handicap and sports
- sports and society (including education through sports)
- prevention / public health / nutrition.

The groups participating in U-IRIS represent the Faculties of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Medicine, Psychology and Educational Sciences, Motor Sciences, the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, the School of Public Health, the Research Department, ULB-Sports and the Erasme Academic Hospital.

Projetcs

Subject specific modelling for a better understanding of the locomotor disorders

Physically based prediction of joint and muscle force distribution using multibody mechanics and numerical methods of mixed dynamics requests accurate adjustment of the model parameters defined in reproducible coordinate system (CS) using strict definition of anatomical landmarks (ALs). This research focuses on development of customizable dynamical model of human passive motions, based on accurate 3D bones and soft tissue reconstruction, medical imaging data (CT, MRI) and stereophotogrammetry by digital cameras during subject dissection. Customizable dynamical models were imported as bone surfaces and soft tissue attachment data of one subject's right leg in MSC ADAMS software. Currently the model includes hip joint, femoro-tibial joint, femoro-patellar joint and ankle joint. Joints are simulated by full impact contacts and constrained by corresponding ligaments. Passive motion simulation were obtained by constraining the model with cylindrical and hinge joints connected to iliac and metatarsus respectively. Impact contact between calcaneus and floor was also implemented.

Heterogeneous in-vivo data fusion

The aim of this research is to fuse data related to various aspects of clinical motion analysis : motion data, electromyography, force plates, ground reaction forces, foot pressure plate, palpation analysis, muscle information, etc ' Well-validated and controlled protocols allowed to fused relevant data into advanced customized subject-specific models. This method is currently being validated during clinical trials in neurological and orthopedics practice. This research is used as Application Expert for the development of the lhpFusionBox (also performed at LABO).

Spatio-temporal analysis of clinical parameters to assess locomotor disorders

The aim of this project is to assess the relationships between lumbar and pelvic pain and several gait parameters using a GAITRite electronic walkway. After establishing a normative database from 100 « healthy » subjects and verifying the validity and reliability of measurements, patients suffering from various forms of low-back and pelvic pain are invited for gait analysis at different velocities. By relating gait parameters to clinical information regarding pain and disability, it is expected to identify the subgroups of patients that display alterations of gait parameters. Such information could be useful for therapeutic decision-making.In pregnant women, pelvic girdle pain is a frequent complaint. Using the same methods, we are investigating the short- and long-term effects of pelvic belts on spatio-temporal gait parameters as well as on dynamic centre of pressure analysis.

Evaluation of misalignment of lower limb before and after surgery

The aim of this project is to fuse of repercussion on knee joint of misalignment of lower limb after in-vitro 3D low femoral osteotomies. In this project, cancellous bone deformation (Fig. 1), femoro-tibial kinematics and moment arm of muscles of the thigh (Fig. 2) are studied. This project will allow bring new data and better understanding the repercussions of misalignment of lower limb in orthopedics practice.