title: In Vitro Experimental Testing of the Human Knee: A Concise Review.
abstract: In vitro testing of the human knee provides valuable insight that contributes to further understanding knee biomechanics. Cadaveric testing correlates well with clinical trials because the tissue has similar properties to that of live subjects. In addition, in vitro testing allows studies to be performed that would otherwise be unethical to evaluate in vivo. Due to their many advantages, cadaveric testing has been utilized to evaluate many of medical devices and surgical techniques that have been developed in recent decades. This article aims to review the current technologies and methodologies utilized in experimental in vitro testing of the human knee. The article provides a summary of the different rigs and machines that are currently used to examine the biomechanics of the knee. It also highlights the variable experimental techniques and measurement systems that are used to collect the kinematics and kinetics of the knee joint. As technologies advance so do the measurement systems and equipment in the experimental biomechanics field. The influence of improvements to these testing equipment and measurement devices on in vitro testing of the knee will also be discussed in this review.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.
authors.forename: Lorin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maletsky
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering Graduate Program, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shalhoub
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.
authors.forename: Fallon
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fitzwater
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Eboch
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering Graduate Program, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dickinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.
authors.forename: Bardiya
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Akhbari
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering Graduate Program, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.
authors.forename: Ednah
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Louie
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007717:Knee / Q000502:physiology*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011312:Pressure; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation