January 1957

Bone Engineering

“An unusual research project involving an orthopaedic surgeon and an engineer from the Yale faculty was the subject of a recent nation-wide television program originating from the Yale-New Haven Medical Center. Dr. Charles O. Bechtol, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery, heads the research work on bone engineering. His colleague is Henry Lepper, Jr., associate professor of civil engineering. Biomechanics of bone and muscle are being studied in an attempt to correlate the structure and biologic characteristics of bone with structural characteristics of metal. Such information is basic to considerations regarding the design and use of various metals in bone splints and internal fixation of fractures. Another aspect of the project deals with the microscopic structure of bone and is under the direction of Dr. Harold M. Frost, Jr., assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery. His particular interest is the changes in bone structure seen in the process of aging.

“The manner in which this research contributes to a better understanding of the treatment of fractures was shown on ‘Medical Horizons’ sponsored by CIBA Pharmaceutical Products, Inc., over the ABC-TV network in December.”