Advanced Engineering Technologies in Orthopaedic Research

Dear Colleagues,

We are collaborating with Bioengineering to publish a Special Issue focusing on applications of advanced engineering technology in orthopedic biomechanical research. The development of advanced bioengineering technology has dramatically enhanced orthopedic biomechanical research and greatly influenced treatments for orthopedic patients. For example, robotic testing systems have been widely used in the biomechanical testing of cadaveric joints. This has revolutionized the traditional testing methodology by introducing 6DOF, hybrid displacement and force controls, and the ability to test a joint under simulated physiological loading conditions. Advanced computational analysis and modeling methods include technologies such as digital motion analysis techniques, musculoskeletal system modeling, and finite element analysis (FEA). While 3D motion capture and force plate technology can be applied to investigating dynamic joint motion and mechanics, advanced musculoskeletal system modeling methods can predict muscle forces, joint reaction forces, and tissue dynamics under simulated physiological conditions. The predicted loading conditions can be used as inputs for FEA models to simulate physiological stress, strain, and deformation in bones, joints, and implants to predict injuries and failures and to optimize implant designs. This type of research is crucial in designing prosthetics and rehabilitation plans. Recently, advanced imaging techniques, including high-resolution CT, MRI, and dynamic dual X-ray imaging systems, have enabled the precise visualization of in vivo articular joint contact motion, allowing the investigation of the precise mechanisms of musculoskeletal joint motion, injury, and repair. These innovations in orthopedic biomechanics research are not only revolutionizing basic science research but also helping to improve patient outcomes through tailored and advanced orthopedic device designs and treatment strategies. Recently, artificial intelligence and machine learning methods have also been intensively applied in orthopedic biomechanical research. AI-driven models show great potential in enabling the discovery of tissue abnormalities such as joint osteoarthritis and spinal disk degeneration, predicting musculoskeletal injuries such as ACL tears, bone fractures, implant failures, and surgical outcomes, and tailoring treatment plans based on genetic, biomechanical, and lifestyle factors.

We are pleased to invite you to submit a paper to this Special Issue with a focus on advanced engineering technology in orthopedic research. Original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the development of advanced technologies for orthopedic biomechanics research, such as advanced testing systems, computational simulation methods, advanced imaging techniques, robotic technologies, or AI and ML methods, and the application of advanced engineering technologies in basic science and clinical research in musculoskeletal joint biomechanics, such as intrinsic joint biomechanics, joint injury mechanisms, and the efficacy of treatment methods for joint diseases.

Dr. Guoan Li
Dr. Tsung-Yuan Tsai
Prof. Dr. Shaobai Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Bioengineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.