Biomechanical Engineering
Welcome to the Technical Focus Biomechanical Engineering (BME)
Discover our research fields, methodological competences as well as our courses on the following pages.
The BME Group was founded more than 20 years ago and is one of the technical focus areas of the Institute for Mechanical Systems (IMES). Our interdisciplinary working group consists of engineers and natural scientists and we are specialists in the following business and research fields:
Business and research fields
The key to the successful implementation of research and industrial projects lies in our methodological expertise, in the development of medical devices, biomechanical computer models & simulations as well as functional testing methods (according to ISO17025 Type C) and their analyses, developed and established over several years. Service Catalogue(PDF 2,8 MB)
We are strongly committed to teaching and offer the specialisation Biomechanical Engineering I and II for Bachelor students of Mechanical Engineering and Systems Engineering as well as for Master students of MSE Medical Engineering.
Interested Bachelor and Master students are given the opportunity to carry out project work and Bachelor and Master theses in ongoing projects with industrial partners. Information on current projects can be found on the pages of the individual business and research fields.
Projects
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OsteoFusion: Highly osteoconductive and fast incorporating ceramic implant solutions for Sports Medicine (and Orthopedics)
In Sports Medicine, a faster return to full activity, a better cost-benefit ratio, and maximized patient comfort are paramount. OsteoFusion provides a solution with an innovative ceramic implant that transforms into bone being anchored by ultrasonic liquefaction of a fiber-reinforced biocomposite. ...
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Hip-Kick – playful training from the hip
The background of this demo object is the playful visualisation of novel, interactive forms of movement visualisation. Independently executed, game-oriented rehabilitation programmes of neuro-patients have recently revolutionised therapy. It has been shown that direct feedback for patients has substantial added ...
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TAMINA® – lmproving proximal humerus fracture treatment
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Towards mechanically biocompatible implant materials for pelvic floor repair
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Mechanobiological plastic model
Plastics are experiencing increased interest in medical technology. Due to their mechanical properties, plastics correspond more closely to human tissue than metallic materials such as titanium or cobalt-chromium. The so-called mechanobiology of human soft tissue, especially cartilage and intervertebral discs, is ...
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Robot-based experimental in vitro studies to evaluate two surgical techniques for a meniscal lesion with respect to knee kinematics
In this project, the following hypotheses will be investigated with experimental robot-based in vitro tests on human leg specimens 1) Ramp lesion of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus leads to increased anterior translation and rotational instability in a knee with an ACL rupture. 2) In a knee with an ACL ...
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Towards tailored mechanical properties of artificial tissue models
The human skin is the interface between the environment and the body. The skin has several functions such as the thermoregulation, the protection from mechanical injuries, acting as a barrier against microorganisms and the tactile perception. In this project, we aim at developing an innovative artificial skin model ...
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Influence of additional weight carrying on load-induced changes in glenohumeral translation in patients with rotator cuff tear - a translational approach
This project aims to explore human shoulder biomechanics using a functional shoulder model. The experimental tests are compared with subject measurements for a better characterization of the muscle and joint forces acting on the shoulder.
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Holoreach
Stroke is a serious burden for the health system and the affected individuals. Globally, around 16 million people per year experience a stroke for the first time, of which 5 million remain limited in their functionality and participation. Since improvements in functionality after a stroke take time and require many ...
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Development of a unicondylar knee joint prosthesis with physiological kinematics
This project has two objectives: 1. to optimise the surface geometry of an existing unicondylar knee prosthesis in order to enable natural knee kinematic 2. to model and validate a generally valid parameter model of the knee ligaments in FEA. In the development process, both experimental robot-supported tests on ...
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T-Chair II – Assistive therapy concept for trunk balance & stability after stroke
Trunk control is a key factor for a successful rehabilitation outcome early after stroke. Training must start early after stroke in sitting as trunk control is essential for standing and walking. A robot assisted medical chair enables therapies at various levels of trunk-control impairment. The need for such a robot ...
New Publications
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Haas, Michelle; Sommer, Bettina; Karrer, Samuel; Jörger, Matthias; Graf, Eveline; Huber, Martin; Baumgartner, Daniel; Bauer, Christoph,
2023.
Hip and trunk kinematics during reaching on a mobile and stable seat.
PLOS ONE.
18(7), pp. e0289115.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289115
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Kiener, Luca; Gomez, Adrian; Tschupp, Gabriel; Nusser, Michaela,
2023.
Development of scalable finite element models based on knee laxity tests on cadavers [poster].
In:
28th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics (ESB), Maastricht, The Netherlands, 9 -12 July 2023.
ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-28440
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Kiener, Luca; Nusser, Michaela,
2023.
Generalised ligament model for finite element modelling of the knee [poster].
In:
XXIX Congress of International Society of Biomechanics (ISB), Fukuoka, Japan, 30 July - 3 August 2023.
ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-28424
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Nusser, Michaela; Kiener, Luca; Tschupp, Gabriel,
2023.
Use of an industrial robot to record human knee kinematics in vitro - evaluation of the test method.
In:
28th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics (ESB), Maastricht, The Netherlands, 9 -12 July 2023.
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Genter, Jeremy; Croci, Eleonora; Ewald, Hannah; Müller, Andreas M.; Mündermann, Annegret; Baumgartner, Daniel,
2023.
F1000Research.
11(77).
Available from: https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.72856.3