9724312 Kawalec The Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine is a non-Ph.D. granting institution and one of only seven podiatric colleges in the nation. This small proposal requests $36, 050 to purchase an MTS Model 858 Low Force biomechanical test system which measures the mechanical and fatigue properties of various materials. One area where the equipment will be used is in testing pyrolytic carbon as a material for replacement of the small joints in the foot. In one study, atomic oxygen will be used to produce a porous surface on the carbon which should increase the strength of the graft-bone interface. Another research area is the determination of the pull-out strengths of various suture anchors. These anchors are used to reattach tendons and ligaments to bone. ***
