Lutheran Hospital is home to the Cleveland Clinic Center for Spine Health Research Lab. Led by Lars Gilbertson, PhD, the lab is focused on advancing the scientific basis of novel therapies of spinal disorders towards marketable clinical applications. The Spine Research Lab has a multi-disciplinary team of investigators that blend the disciplines of medicine, engineering, biomechanics, and physiology to investigate and develop new technologies for spine problems.
“We seek to be a national leader in spinal research and innovation and to educate the next generation of spine researchers and clinicians. Through our research, innovation and education, we hope to make significant contributions to patient care,” says Dr. Gilbertson.
The Spine Research Lab at Lutheran Hospital includes a library, tissue engineering and cell culture facility, biomechanics laboratory, computational simulation lab, offices and conference space. The Lab also features a robotics-based mechanical testing facility and prototype fabrication laboratory.
Participants in Spine Lab research at Lutheran Hospital receive specialized training to enable them to design and perform spinal research in their areas of interest. In addition to the customized projects developed by the students, residents and fellows, the Lab maintains an active portfolio of long-term research endeavors in the areas of SpinalMEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems), spine biomechanics, bone bioengineering, tissue engineering, and spinal cord injury.
To help the Spine Research Lab move forward with advanced spinal research, Ohio’s Third Frontier Commission recently awarded a five-year grant through the Ohio Research Scholars Program to the laboratory. The commission was established to grow jobs through new technology. The grant, titled “Research Cluster for the Development of Spinal Implants,” is in collaboration with the University of Toledo and the Clinical Tissue Engineering Center (CTEC) and furthers the mission of Cleveland Clinic to boost research and innovation in northeast Ohio.
The Cleveland Clinic Spine Research Lab joins other leading spine care components at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Spine Health at Lutheran Hospital. Along with experienced spine surgeons, medical spine specialists offer patients the most comprehensive spine care in the region. Consultations are available by calling 800.220.8202.
Bender is the name of the Spine Health Research Lab robot.