MicroStrain, Inc.

MICROSTRAIN Inc., was founded in 1986 to develop, manufacture, and market products for use in orthopaedic and materials research. The company's first product, called the Hall effect displacement transducer, was developed to measure strain on joint ligaments. In the early 1990's the company later introduced an improved micro-displacement sensor, termed the DVRT (differential variable reluctance transducer). Due to their extremely small size, high accuracy, and ability to withstand harsh saline and pressurized oil environments - the DVRT stands out from other sensors on the market. Now the Burlington firm manufactures a number of sensing products to measure and record various physical parameters, such as: displacement, force, inclination, magnetic field, etc.

Orthopaedic researchers worldwide use MicroStrain's equipment for monitoring soft and hard tissue strain, joint position, joint force, and implant micro-motion. Recent commercial applications range from testing of rubber elastomers to advanced engine control systems. MicroStrain also designed and licensed the head tracking technology used in a popular virtual reality headset. These technological advances have been supported in part by funding from Vt EPSCoR, the National Science Foundation, and the Dept. of Health and Human Services, through their Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs.

Dr. Bruce Beynnon, Director of Research at the University of Vermont's McClure Musculoskeletal Research Center in the Dept. of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation - uses MicroStrain's products in this department's research, and collaborates with MicroStrain's engineering staff. Dr. Beynnon and his associates have received several prestigious international awards for their in vivo research on the biomechanics of the human knee and the strain on knee ligaments.