Research Center Affiliation:

• Center for Automation Technologies and Systems»

General Areas of Research:

· Musculoskeletal Mechanics
· Biomedical Engineering
· Biomechanics
· Biomaterials
· Bioengineering

Research Activities:

Biomechanics of the Spine: In the United States, low back pain and spinal disorders are the most prevalent cause of chronic disability in persons more than 45 years of age and are second in accounting for hospital stays for patients under age 65. In spite of its high prevalence, the pathogenesis of degenerative diseases of the spine is not well understood. Dr. Ledet's research program focuses on better defining the mechanism by which repetitive mechanical loading leads to degeneration of the intervertebral disc and surrounding tissues through two parallel efforts:

• Development of novel sensors to measure directly real time in vivo forces in the intervertebral disc during daily activities and how these forces change during muscle fatigue.
• Characterization of the response of subchondral bone and the intervertebral disc to repeated mechanical loading. 

Through collaborations with the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Division of Neurosurgery at the Albany Medical College, and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Dr. Ledet's translational research is aimed at rapidly providing clinically relevant information to assist physicians in diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. Additional research efforts include:

• Biomechanical evaluation of novel spine stabilization devices.
• Characterization of adjacent level effects following surgical intervention in the lumbar spine.
• Biomechanics of fracture fixation devices.
• Microsensor development for incorporation into fracture fixation implants.