Anglin, CarolynBlair-Pattison, Aubrey2016-01-182016-01-182016-01-182016Blair-Pattison, A. (2016). Development and characterization of a synthetic bone analogue for surgical training (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25638http://hdl.handle.net/11023/2754Spinal surgeries often require screws to be placed through small cylindrical pedicles in the vertebra, beside the spinal cord, to anchor rods for spinal fusion and correction. More experienced surgeons have fewer malplaced pedicle screws. In the current training paradigm, residents primarily learn the procedure on live patients. The objective of this research was to create a synthetic bone analogue with realistic tactile feedback to improve resident training. Forces encountered during pedicle cannulation and breaching were measured ex vivo. These were used to create a cost-effective bone model that replicated the forces as well as specific heterogeneous features of bone, distinct from current bone models. Of six residents who used the new bone analogues, five had fewer breaches in the simulated environment after practice than before.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Engineering--Biomedicalspineorthopaedicmaterialmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/25638