Three Maltese students, alumni of the University of Malta, recently presented their biomedical engineering research at the congress of the European Society of Biomechanics in Seville, Spain.

Andre Attard and Carl Muscat presented cutting-edge research in part fulfilment of their PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, while Louise Mifsud, currently reading for a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London, presented the novel undergraduate research she had undertaken at the University of Malta.

The students are under the supervision of Dr Zdenka Sant.

Attard presented his work on the development of a novel clinical tool that provides an in-depth understanding of patients’ knee pathophysiology. This has the potential of assisting in the rehabilitation of post-operative knee replacement patients, and assists in improving current knee prosthetic design morphology.

Muscat presented his research about the difference in mechanical properties of various cancellous bone sample sizes, which can be used to better understand implant designs for the prevention of stress shielding, which is one of the main causes for implant failures.

Mifsud presented her research on the effects of walking on a patient-specific model of the lumbar spine. Analysis of its effect can provide better insight into bone strains that can result in lower back pain.

The European Society of Biomechanics holds this annual international scientific conference to showcase the most up-to-date research in biomechanics and to promote knowledge exchange and discussion to encourage research, disseminate knowledge and promote progress in biomechanics. The society, founded in 1976, is currently the largest biomechanics society in Europe with over 1,000 members.

Biomedical engineering is the application of engineering principles and design concepts to medicine and biology for healthcare purposes. This interdisciplinary field seeks to close the gap between engineering and medicine by combining the design and problem solving skills of engineering with medical and biological sciences to improve the healthcare treatment, including diagnosis, monitoring, and therapy. It is currently one of the fastest growing fields of engineering.

Projections indicate that biomedical engineering is expected to grow by 23 per cent from 2014 to 2024, way faster than the average for all other occupations.

The students recommended that more fellow Maltese students gain exposure in this novel field of engineering which has recently matured in Malta. It is possible to undertake modules on the subject in institutions of higher education on the island and there is also the prospect of being able to pursue a master’s in biomedical engineering in the near future.

They added, however, that there is need for more encouragement by both the government and private institutions, and the possibility of funding, to enhance further research growth in this field in Malta.

For further information e-mail andre.attard@strath.ac.uk.

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