Collaborations with Other Medical School Departments

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery has a strong collaboration with the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. These collaborations are focused on the development of tissue engineering solutions to orthopaedic conditions such as meniscus damage, tendon ruptures, and nerve injuries. Because of our collaborative ties, researchers in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery have access to the 20,000 square feet of dedicated laboratory space and the core facilities located within the Institute.

Expertise from other basic science and clinical departments is available if needs for a specific project are identified.

Collaborations with Other Institutions

The Wake Forest University School of Medicine collaborates with the School of Biomechanical Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Faculty and graduate students from Virginia Tech often are available to support orthopaedic research involved with biomedical engineering.

The Department also collaborates with the Department of Physical Therapy at Winston-Salem State University.

Collaborations with Industry through the NIH Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Grant Program

SBIR – Diabetes

Spectral analysis of laser Doppler fluxmetry signals indicates a difference in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients with respect to the autonomic control of the cutaneous microcirculation of the feet. This SBIR, in conjunction with Transonic Systems, Inc. (Ithaca, NY), is supported by NIDDK and examines the feasibility of using this type of device for clinical applications.

SBIR – Millar

Hemodynamic measurement techniques in mice are being constantly refined in response to the needs of the scientific community. Collaborations with Millar, Inc. (Houston, TX), manufacturer of the world's best pressure measurement systems for clinical and basic research needs, were the basis for a funded SBIR proposal to create mouse-sized pressure sensing catheters with diameters of 300 microns. These devices are now in development and assessment of size and fidelity requirements are ongoing. In addition, ventricular pressure-volume techniques for mice are being further refined and used in this laboratory.