Recurring Meeting of Cleveland Clinic Core Team

Date: Nov 19, 2013

Time: 10:30 AM EST

Means: In person meeting

Attendees:

1. Ahmet Erdemir
2. Jason Halloran
3. Craig Bennetts
4. Snehal Chokhandre
5. Robb Colbrunn
6. Tara Bonner

Agenda:

1. Discuss tasks progress.
2. Discuss specimen transportation device design.
3. Finalize tissue testing equipment purchase.
4. Decide tasks for the next meeting.
5. Other.

Immediate Action Items

See notes for details.

• Jason

  • Update FEBio feature specifications for upcoming conference call with University of Utah.

• Craig

  • Update cloud computing prototype specifications for upcoming conference call with Stanford University.
  • Get foam samples for specimen transportation device.

• Robb and Snehal

  • Prepare list of desired features for tissue testing device, including primary and secondary features based on exact tissue testing needs and pricing.

• Jason and Snehal

  • Review imaging data and update relevant wiki pages.

• Snehal

  • Get MRI machine specifications and knee coil dimensions.

Notes:

1. Discuss tasks progress.
   • Immediate action items were discussed. Details are provided in the following notes.
   • Imaging specifications
     • Jason and Snehal conducted a test session at University Hospitals to try some imaging sequences and check the brass marker fixtures for observed imaging artefacts.
     • One of the OAI protocols (DESS) were tried along with a T2 proton density protocol
     • Implementing the OAI protocol was challenging as the clinical scanners have restrictions on controls.
     • One of the UH engineers will try to program the specific protocol offline which can be tried in the next test session.
     • The protocol tested was the closest that could be programmed online.
     • Every brass piece from the phantom was noticed to be causing some artefact. Delrin or medical grade brass/ stainless steel that can be fixed / screwed into bone might be considered.
     • Jason will contact Dr. Winalski for advice on suitable materials.
     • Delrin/ phenolic fixtures and metal screws may be used in the worst case.
     • Alignment pins have to be metallic.
     • If medical grade materials are used they have to be MRI grade too.
   • Robotics testing specifications
     • Robb and Ahmet made edits to the specifications in the last week.
     • Tibiofemoral joint testing
       • Information regarding data file type and data structures need to be added.
       • Change kinetics and kinematics measurement in anatomical coordinate system to tibia reference frame.
       • In operating procedures reasoning for 'moving tibiofemoral joint under a passive flexion from 0° to 90° flexion with a 100 N compressive load to optimize the femur coordinate system to minimize the change in joint translation and off axis rotations' will be described including prescription of the neutral coordinate system position (tibia- femur relative coordinate systems positions).
       • Robb will address Ahmet's queries.
     • Patellofemoral joint testing
       • Jason will address the requested queries.
   • FEBio feature specifications
     • Jason will update the test problem for connector elements feature.
   • Test workflow for cloud computing
     • Craig summarized the updates.
     • Craig created test scripts and files which can be submitted to cloud server.
     • Required web interface details were provided. (interface will allow user to submit a model without modifying it or change parameters in the models file. different versions of FEBio may also be allowed to select)
     • The information on the specification page details development expectations from the Stanford group. Notes will be added for Information that will be finally visible to users in the actual interface.
     • Craig will update an image to describe the web interface.
   • Registration specifications
     • Jason will update the suggested flowchart changes.
   • Imaging infrastructure
     • Snehal will request the information from Chris Flask.
   • Documentation specifications
     • Ahmet created 2 tasks for the Univ of Utah group: to start working on in situ strain feature and to start a wiki page to show progress.
2. Discuss specimen transportation device design.
   • Craig, Snehal, Jason and Ahmet previously met and discussed the potential design options for the transportation device.
   • A cylindrical container with attachments for disposable foam pads may be used. These foam supports can be used to hold the knee in place while keeping the markers from moving. End plates with holes to tie sutures or wire may be required to pull on the quadriceps.
   • Different foam materials will be assessed to find a material with adequate stiffness for this purpose.
3. Finalize tissue testing equipment purchase.

   • One proposed alternative against purchasing a tissue testing system was to gain access to an existing system at a fixed price for 4 years. The BioRobotics Core decided that it will be difficult to compete at the requested price and therefore the team has decided to purchase the testing equipment for the project.

   • The maximum budget for the equipment is approximately $45,000. Desirable specifications of the testing machine include:
     • triple axis controller (currently with single axis actuator) for extensibility,
     • a spatial (six-axis) load for extensibility, and
     • a video system, including synchronizaiton (more desirable than a multi-axial load cell).
   • A quote will be requested for a machine satisfying minimum requirements:
     • triple axis controller,
     • single actuator with 0.5 micrometer resolution,
     • single axis load cell,
     • camera,
     • basic fixtures,
     • manual x-y control, and
     • bath (possibly with heater).
   • Another quote will be requested for a machine satisfying additional desirable requirements:
     • triple axis controller,
     • single actuator with 0.1 micrometer resolution (another ~$4,000); and a higher resolution is preferrable ove multi-axis load cell based on upgrade capabilities and to apply strains with better accuracy.
     • multi-axis load cell.
   • Robb and Snehal will prepare an itemized list with estimated cost for minimal and desirable machines.

   • The Bose Corp. ElectroForce Systems Group test instrument will not work for the project as the stroke is only 2.5 mm.

   • The MTS Systems Corp. controller box works with any MTS testing machine. If a frame from MTS, which meets our testing requirements can be bought, significant savings may be possible by using the existing controller box.
   • Based on the quotes and specifications of all testing machines, one machine will be decided upon in the next meeting.
4. Decide tasks for the next meeting.
   • See Immediate Action Items above.
5. Other.
   • Ahmet started creating forum threads and wiki pages to collect community comments. For example, a public read-write discussion page for specimen specifications can be edited to provide comments or one can reply to a relevant forum entry or by sending email to Ahmet.
   • Snehal was asked to provide immediate action items at the wiki promptly after the meeting for team members to act upon.