Advanced Platform Technology Center
CARE/DETECT and the Caren System Equipment
The APT Center was instrumental in obtaining and installing $3.8M worth of new high tech capital research equipment from the State of Ohio through two projects (CARE: "Clinically Applied Rehabilitation Engineering" and DETECT: "Diagnostic Engineering Technologies for Evaluating Connective Tissues") at the LSCVAMC and its partner institutions (CWRU, CCF and Austen BioInnovation). One key piece of new equipment is a 3D-Bioplotter from EnvisionTEC that can fabricate biocompatible tissue scaffolds from a wide array of materials, from soft hydrogels over polymer melts to hard ceramics and metals. Additional new facilities include state-of-the-art equipment for tissue processing and histology, real time PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and additive manufacturing, microfabrication and 3D printing.
The CARE project, obtained the funding and completed the installation of the first Motek CAREN virtual reality rehabilitation system in a non- military facility in the United States. The CAREN system is an immersive virtual reality environment consisting of a 6-degree of freedom moving platform with an embedded treadmill, wrap around projection screens, integrated complete motion capture system, and virtual human model. Physically located adjacent to the LSCVAMC on the campus of CCF, this system is designed to allow sophisticated probing of the neuro-musculo-skeletal, vestibular and motor control systems and pursuit of innovative rehabilitation strategies designed to enhance community integration.
Principal Investigators: Jay Alberts, Ph.D. • Kath Bogie, Ph.D.; Margot Damaser, Ph.D. • Christian Zorman, Ph.D.
Funding Agency: Ohio Third Frontier Program, State of Ohio
