I've been exploring a few other projects due to the microtome being out of order. Another student in the lab is working on a novel model of tendinopathy. The actual apparatus is shockingly similar to an amusement park's drop tower, with 8 capsules to be loaded with upright mice. The model itself is striving for clinical relevance with the mice essentially being forced to 'jump', generating similar strain and microdamage to athletes and the notorious 'jumper's knee'. I've begun writing some code to modulate how high the tower will rise before dropping based on weight, allowing for a tunable system that would exert the same force across differing sample sizes and mouse weight. I'm utilizing a simple height x weight x gravity equation, in which the weight is inputted by the user and height being a function of weight. I'm looking forward to implementing this code in the following week.
I have also began discussing a blood flow rate (BFR) occlusion model with Dr. Rodeo. Temporary BFR reduction has been shown to improve muscle and tendon remodeling under lower weights, making it ideal for recovering patients who cannot fully weightbear. Another interesting week!
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