Current Research

The goal of the Collins Lab is to integrate non-invasive imaging methods with experimental mechanics and computational modeling in order to develop clinically applicable tools to monitor bone integrity, fracture risk, and fracture healing in patients. Through this, the lab aims to better understand and model severe fracture types and cases with poor clinical outcomes to improve injury countermeasures and treatment strategies.

Assessing the Effects of Histotripsy on Osteosarcoma Tumor-Affected Bone

Motivation: Histotripsy is a novel cancer treatment which has been used to mechanically ablate primary osteosarcoma tumors, but whether bone tissue is compromised has yet to be analyzed (Work of Preeya Achari).

Goal: Determine the effect of histotripsy on the mechanical integrity of treated bone in murine and canine models using real-world compression testing and computational Finite Element Analysis to validate further exploration into histotripsy as a safe treatment alternative for osteosarcoma.

Oliviero et al. 2019

Identify Crash, Vehicle, and Occupant Factors Associated with Severe Distal Tibia Fractures

Motivation: Distal tibia fractures are associated with high rates of clinical complications and frequently result in long-term functional limitations. Factors from the event causing injury are understudied with respect to the long-term limitations caused by severe distal tibia fractures (Work of Garrett Bangert).

Goal: Use a machine learning classification algorithm to predict clinical distal tibia fracture type given relevant crash, vehicle, and occupant factors. Via novel methods of enhanced model interpretability, the relationship between training factors and clinical fracture type will be explored.

Analyzing the Morphology of Successful Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Surgical Site Fusions using X-Ray Imaging

Motivation: Spinal fusions are performed to treat degenerative disks and stabilize the spine. Current methods to determine the success of fusion require various radiology imaging techniques, are subjective largely depending on reviewer expertise, and can require invasive surgery. (Work of Alejandro Venable-Croft)

Goal: Develop a novel image-based analysis of successful spinal fusion using a Hurst/Variable Orientation Transform to detect sufficient bone growth into the fusion region.

Hurst/Variable Orientation Transform (H/VOT) is a fractal geometry technique that can characterize the surface topography of spinal fusions over time. H/VOT samples pixel values in a specified region of interest to compute the maximum difference in pixel intensity in all directions.

Reference for H/VOT

Exploring Breast Cancer Cell Recruitment and Survival in the Bone Niche using 3D-Printed Tissue-Engineered Bone Models

Motivation: With very high failure rates of anti-cancer drugs and deficiency to mimic physiological bone environment, it is clear that current gold standard (2D culture and animal models) lack in information to accurately predict effects of drugs and described the interactions in a multicell environment. (Work of Edward Shangin)

Goal: To understand the underlying parameters that influence breast-to-bone metastasis via a 3D co-culture tissue model that assesses the role of extracellular vesicles has on breast cancer development.

Evaluating Implant Constructs in Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery

Motivation: To repair bunions, physicians utilize minimally invasive bunion surgery with a variety of implant constructs on a case-by-case basis. Different constructs include single screw and dual screw fixations. (Work of Evan Carper)

Goal: Alongside Carilion Clinic, conducting a biomechanical study evaluating differences in construct properties will allow physicians to implement the most durable fixation construct when performing MIBS using evidence-based biomechanical outcomes.