# Project Traiknee - Interview Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QHHncx3tiQ Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/0QHHncx3tiQ Generated: 2026-01-30T17:01:42.95+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview PhD student Marco Moran Ledesma developed an artificial training leg model named Trai-knee, in collaboration with supervisors from Systems Design Engineering and Management Sciences, and Robert Burns from Kinesiology and Health Sciences, to allow students to safely practice physical assessments for knee ligament injuries like the MCL without risking harm to healthy peers or actual patients. **Key Points:** - The project, named Trai-knee, is an artificial training leg model designed to simulate knee ligament injuries, specifically the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL). - Marco Moran Ledesma is a PhD student at the University of Waterloo, part of the Touch Lab and Haptic Experience Lab. - The project supervisors include Mark Hancock and Oliver Schneider from Management Sciences, and collaborator Robert Burns from the Kinesiology and Health Sciences department. - The simulator allows users to conduct physical tests designed to recognize injury conditions (like multiple levels of laxity on the medial side) safely, addressing the risk of harming healthy peers who are typically used for practice. - Key design requirements included realistic size, the ability to reproduce MCL injuries (Grade 2 laxity demonstrated), and tactile feedback simulating a real leg covered in silicone-based skin. - The tool is designed to be portable and operable with just a computer, making it accessible beyond the research lab for use in academic curricula, health sciences programs, or med school. - The creator expressed a strong sense of accomplishment and a desire to serve others through this educational tool. ![Screenshot at 00:08: Marco Moran Ledesma introducing himself in his lab setting, surrounded by 3D printer filament spools and computer equipment, setting the scene for the discussion about his engineering project.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0QHHncx3tiQ/00-00-08.jpg) **Context:** Marco Moran Ledesma, a PhD student at the University of Waterloo's Systems Design Engineering department and member of the Touch Lab/Haptic Experience Lab, discusses the development of his project, an artificial training leg model named Trai-knee. This device addresses the critical educational gap where students, who are not yet experts, must practice physical assessments for knee injuries like MCL tears, traditionally relying on practicing on healthy peers, which carries inherent risks and liability issues. ## Detailed Analysis Marco Moran Ledesma introduces himself as a PhD student in Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo, affiliated with the Touch Lab and Haptic Experience Lab. He explains that his project, named Trai-knee, is an artificial training leg model designed to simulate knee ligament injuries, specifically focusing on the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) laxity. This tool was created because students often practice on healthy peers, creating risk and liability, or lack access to realistic training scenarios. The project involved collaboration with his supervisors, Mark Hancock and Oliver Schneider (from Management Sciences), and his third supervisor/collaborator, Robert Burns (from Kinesiology and Health Sciences). The design criteria prioritized three main aspects: simulating the actual injuries (like Grade 2 MCL laxity), being realistic in size so tests could be performed accurately, and feeling like a real leg, achieved by covering the internal structure (made of plastic and metal) with silicone-based skin. Ledesma emphasizes that the portability and simplicity (requiring only a computer) make it valuable for broader educational use in academic curricula, health sciences, and medical schools, allowing students to gain exposure to various injury conditions safely outside of a specialized lab setting. He concludes by expressing a strong sense of accomplishment in creating a tool that serves others. ### Project Introduction and Team - Marco Moran Ledesma (PhD student, Waterloo) introduces Trai-knee, an artificial training leg model - Team includes supervisors Mark Hancock & Oliver Schneider (Management Sciences) and collaborator Robert Burns (Kinesiology and Health Sciences) - Affiliated with the Touch Lab/Haptic Experience Lab. ### Purpose and Functionality - Trai-knee simulates knee ligament injuries, specifically MCL laxity, allowing students to practice physical tests safely - Simulates multiple levels of laxity on the medial/inner side of the knee. ### Design Features and Requirements - Tool must be realistic in size, reproduce injuries (Grade 2 MCL shown on indicator panel), and feel like a real leg using silicone skin - Constructed using plastic and metal structural elements. ### Impact and Future Vision - The tool reduces risk and liability associated with practicing on healthy individuals - Designed to be portable and operable with just a computer for use in academic curricula and medical education - Ledesma expresses strong personal accomplishment in creating this service-oriented tool. ![Screenshot at 00:01: The stainless steel elevator doors opening to reveal the modern, blue-lit lobby area of the university building.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0QHHncx3tiQ/00-00-01.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:08: Marco Moran Ledesma in his lab, surrounded by 3D printer filament spools and technical equipment, during his initial interview segment.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0QHHncx3tiQ/00-00-08.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:23: A group photo of Marco Moran Ledesma \(front center\) with his program supervisors \(Mark Hancock and Oliver Schneider, among others\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0QHHncx3tiQ/00-00-23.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:42: Close-up of the artificial training leg model mounted on a base, showing the external housing and input/output connections.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0QHHncx3tiQ/00-00-42.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:15: Marco holding up a 3D-printed anatomical knee model \(yellow and red components\) while discussing the starting point for the simulation design.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0QHHncx3tiQ/00-03-15.jpg)