Louis Ferreira has a joint appointment in the departments of Surgery, and Mechanical & Materials Engineering at Western University. His research is primarily in the field of Medical Mechatronics, with special interest in orthopaedic surgery and the biomechanics of major joints. The focus of his work is to improve healthcare in the context of orthopaedic surgeries, with specific objectives to improve surgical outcomes and eliminate unnecessary surgical revisions. The research plan is to leverage current technologies and to develop new technologies and methods, in order to provide orthopaedic surgeons with a broad array of new tools and information. Web Sites: Please visit the Hand and Upper Limb Centre (HULC Bioengineering) Lab website. Also visit the Surgical Mechatronics facebook page.

Intra-Operative and Implantable Transducers Far more data than we have now is needed to fully understand the characteristics of human biomechanics. Implantable transducers can measure data such as joint contact pressure and ligament tension, which is essential for the development of implants and repair procedures. Novel intra-operative transducers will be fundamental to the development of new orthopaedic surgical methods and surgical aid systems. These will provide invaluable information to surgeons during surgical procedures. Surgical Aid Systems Robotic assistance and computer guidance can increase the accuracy and reliability of some orthopaedic procedures like joint reconstruction/replacement, which can increase the longevity of joint implants. Thus far, these technologies have not been employed extensively in orthopaedic procedures, especially in the upper limb. However, computer guidance can provide surgeons with unobstructed visualization augmented with important real-time information. This, and the precision obtained by robotic manipulators, can improve some surgical outcomes and reduce the incidence of revision surgeries. Virtual Surgery Simulators Surgeon training is undoubtedly an important factor in surgical outcomes. Surgical simulators for orthopaedic procedures are still quite rudimentary and provide unrealistic haptic feedback (or “feel”) of important maneuvers like cutting bone and ligaments. Providing surgeons-in-training with more realistic simulations is an important step in improving surgical outcomes of orthopaedic procedures. Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) Relatively few advancements have been made in MIS for orthopaedics. Procedures like joint replacements and fracture repair routinely require large incisions and displacement of large amounts of muscle and other tissues. A reduction in the disruption to these tissues would reduce the risk of complications such as nerve damage, and result in less scarring and morbidity. This leads to faster healing times and less post-surgical rehabilitation. Ultimately, these efforts are aimed at improving patient healthcare and reducing the healthcare burden on our society. Patients having undergone orthopaedic procedures will benefit from improved functional outcomes and a quicker return to their lifestyle. Shorter hospital stays and less post-operative rehabilitation will also translate into fewer lost hours in the workplace, reducing healthcare costs to our economy.

Louis Ferreira has authored and co-authored over 40 publications in the following areas: Upper Extremity Biomechanics In-Vitro Joint Motion Simulators Orthopaedic Surgical Repairs Computer-Navigated Surgical Systems, and other Computer-Assisted Techniques In-Situ Transducers for Biomechanical Measurements Computer Methods for Biomechanical Measurements Mechatronic Systems for Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomechanics