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| SERVING THE ON-LINE RPI COMMUNITY SINCE 1994 |
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| Current Issue: |
Volume 130, Number 1 |
July 14, 2009 |
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Posted 10-20-2004 at 6:28PM
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- Spinal research interests
| | | | Spinal research interests
Actor Christopher Reeve’s death earlier this month has brought new attention to the efforts of Kevin Craig, director of core engineering and professor of mechanical, aeronautical, and nuclear engineering, and Dr. Allen Carl, an Albany Medical Center surgeon and an expert on spinal diseases and disorders. The pair have been working together to devise new methods of treatment for scoliosis and researching spinal implants since the early 1990s.
Over the decade of research, Craig and Carl were able to conclude that the best method for treatment of spinal disorders is to stabilize the spine and gradually correct the errors by pulling and stretching the spine over a period of time. According to Craig, surgery and bracing, which are drastic changes happening in a short amount of time, are traumatic events to the spine and may even cause paralysis if not done properly.
Together, Craig and Carl have developed what is called a Shape Memory Alloy Internal Linear (SMAIL) actuator. This implantable micro-machine is designed to attach to the vertebrae and exert corrective forces on the spine. It is controlled externally using heating and cooling mechanisms to reset the spine. Though it was patented in 1996, more tests and research must be done before it is suitable for use on patients.
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Posted 10-20-2004 at 6:28PM | |
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