Publications
See full list of publications by Centre members.Centre for Orthopaedic Biomechanics
The Centre for Orthopaedic Biomechanics was established in 2001 as a resource for multidisciplinary research, providing a bridge between engineering and clinical orthopaedics.
The Centre has a large number of collaborative research activities with other academic and clinical institutions and orthopaedic surgeons in the UK and Europe.
We also have strong collaborative research activities with major international orthopaedic and medical device companies, including a resource for pre-clinical validation of devices for the industry.
In addition to supporting a wide range of PhD student projects, we also host short-term visiting researchers undertaking research projects associated with other institutions.
The Centre hosts an annual one-day Biomechanics Symposium focusing on one of our main research themes.
Research focus
Our current and recent research projects are in the following broad areas:
- Biomechanics of joint arthroplasty
- Fracture fixation
- Orthopaedic biomaterials
- Spinal biomechanics
- Tissue engineering and other medically-related projects
Postgraduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Engineering
The Centre for Orthopaedic Biomechanics runs the Postgraduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Engineering - Joint Replacement.
The course has been designed for orthopaedic surgical trainees, and for engineers and other professionals working within the orthopaedic device industry, who wish to further their knowledge of the scientific basis of hip and knee arthroplasty.
The programme aims to deepen knowledge of the challenges associated with hip and knee joint replacements and develop the richness of understanding needed to contribute towards the improvement of clinical outcomes.
Participants will also gain experience in applying the analytical and team working skills that underpin the open-ended problem solving that typifies this specialist area.
Applications for the current academic year are open. Find out more on the PG Orthopaedic Engineering course web page.
Further details
Facilities
The Centre has excellent laboratory facilities to support experimental research projects:
- Specimen preparation and material characterisation facilities
- Rheometer
- Servo-hydraulic and screw driven materials testing machines
- Spinal and knee kinematic test rigs.
In addition, our researchers have access within the Department of Mechanical Engineering to other facilities such as rapid prototyping and advanced manufacturing processes, and in the near future, access to a Micro-CT scanner and Laser Vibrometer.
Staff and students
Core staff
- Professor Tony Miles, Centre Director
- Dr Sally Clift
- Dr Jimmy Cunningham
- Dr Sabina Gheduzzi
- Professor Richie Gill
- Dr Irene Turner
- Mr Nick Waywell, Laboratory Manager
Research officers
Postgraduate research students
- Mr Faisal Al-Fadhel
- Mr Abdullah Alshuhri
- Mr Christopher Brampton
- Miss Emilie Crosnier
- Miss Lisa Fitzgerald
- Mr Jason Forder
- Miss Sarah Sydney
- Miss Samantha Wright
Visiting academic staff
- Mr Grey Giddins, Visiting Senior Lecturer, Royal United Hospital, Bath
- Dr Patrick Magee, Visiting Senior Lecturer, Royal United Hospital, Bath
- Professor Michael Manley, Visiting Professor, Chief Scientific Advisor, Stryker Orthopaedics, USA
- Professor Hans Schmotzer, Visiting Professor, Director SigmaRC GmbH, Switzerland
Visiting research staff
- Dr Tim Adlam, Visiting Research Fellow, Bath Institute of Medical Engineering
- Dr Bernd P Grimm, Visiting Research Fellow, Atrium Medical Centre, Heerlen, The Netherlands
- Dr Ide Heyligers, Visiting Research Fellow, Atrium Medical Centre, Heerlen, The Netherlands
- Dr Yu-Hsiu Hsu, Visiting Research Fellow
- Mr John Timperley, Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre, Exeter
- Mr Andrew Toms, Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre, Exeter
Affiliated staff
Associated theses
| Name | Thesis title |
|---|---|
| Dr Tim Adlam (PhD 2012) | The design of compliant seating for children with severe whole body extensor spasms. |
| Dr Tim Holsgrove (PhD 2012) | A dynamic pre-clinical testing protocol for intervertebral disc replacement devices. |
| Dr Robin Long (PhD 2012) | The biomechanics of hinged total knee replacements: An in vitro comparative evaluation of five protheses. |
| Dr Michael Ayers (PhD 2011) | Understanding impaction grafting: A numerical and experimental approach. |
| Dr Toby Jameson (PhD 2010) | Development of pre-clinical testing of immediate post-operative stability of uncemented stemmed-implants used in total hip arthroplasty. |
| Dr Shiying Hao (PhD 2010) | An implantable electronic system for in vivo stability evaluation of prostheses in total hip and knee arthroplasty. |
| Dr Mark Mitchell (PhD 2009) | The development of a bioreactor for the tissue engineering of anterior cruciate ligaments. |
| Dr Ruggero Gabbrielli (PhD 2009) | Foam geometry and structural design of porous material. |
| Dr Francis Baxter (PhD 2009) | Electrically active ceramics for bone graft substitution. |
| Dr Hazel Boyd (PhD 2009) | Measurement of functional wrist motion. |
| Mr Paul Drayton (MPhil 2009) | Biomechanical investigation of tendon repair. |
| Mr John Vickerstaffe (MPhil 2008) | The influence of design on the wear of total ankle replacement. |
| Mr Andreas Macchetta (MPhil 2008) | Fabrication and analysis of highly porous hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate ceramics via the implementation of a novel freeze casting technique. |
| Dr Siu Yan Mak (PhD 2007) | Mechanical factors influencing impaction bone grafting. |
| Dr Jeremy Clements (PhD 2006) | Design and development of pre-clinical hip stem stability testing methods. |
| Dr Jerry Lin (PhD 2006) | Mathematical modelling of the human cardiopulmonary system. |
| Dr Sam Blakemore (PhD 2006) | Development and application of testing techniques to assess the integrity of film coated pharmaceutical tablets. |
| Dr Mark Schmitz (PhD 2005) | Exploration of mechanical factors in the failure of femoral hip implants. |
| Dr Jon Gittings (PhD 2005) | Fabrication and properties of novel open porous calcium phosphate bioceramics. |
| Dr Dan Sirkett (PhD 2004) | Investigating the influence of contact area on carpal bone motion. |
| Dr Emma Williams (PhD 2004) | Materials properties of conventional urinary catheters and a new design of catheter with a braided structure. |
| Dr Brian Casey (PhD 2003) | Novel fabrication techniques for the production of porous biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics for bone substitute application. |
| Dr Bernd P Grimm (PhD 2003) | Mechanical properties of morsellised bone graft and synthetic graft extenders for impaction grafting. |
| Dr Gerard Insley (PhD 2003) | The characterisation of next generation ceramic bearings for orthopaedic hip applications. |
