Our research

We conduct orthopaedic engineering research to study the effects of load transfer through bones in the lower limb and spine. This includes evaluating fixation of implants to bone, implant/joint stability, and load transfer. One current major research theme is broken bones. Clinically, broken bones are called "fractures". We are interested in answering questions such as how does bone loading affect healing following bone fractures in the lower limbs and in the spine? How can we design better implants to promote better bone bone healing? How can we develop more affordable engineering devices to improve fracture diagnosis and fracture treatment in low and middle income countries (LMICs), or resource poor regions? How can we develop efficient and useful AI algorithms to aid clinical diagnoses of fracture? Our cross-disciplinary research program is focused on using our engineering skills and knowledge to solve unmet important clinical orthopaedic needs in both high income countries and LMICs and resource poor regions.

Research Areas

• Clinical need establishment

• Translational research techniques

• Implant design, development for long bone fractures, spine

• Biomechanics modelling and testing

• Pre-clinical and clinical implant testing (incl. intra-operative testing, clinical validation testing, clinical trial testing)

Research Skills

• Robot operating systems (ROS)

• Python coding

• Machine learning (tensorflow) and basic statistics

• Ultrasound scanning

• Motion capture analysis

• Finite element analysis (FEA)

• Computer aided design (CAD) (SolidWorks)

• Biomechanics testing

• Systematic review writing

• Qualitative studies

• Need driven innovation

• Clinical validation testing

• Clinical trials

Equipment & Research Facilities at WEST Lab

• Instron 5967 – Dual Column Table Frame material testing machine

• ARAMIS adjustable 12M Digital Image Correlation (DIC) system

• Clarius handheld ultrasound scanner, iPad

• Formlab resin 3D printer

• Basic engineering tools: drill press, bench grinder, band saw, mitre saw, metal lathe

• Access to clinical imaging facilities (X-ray, CT, DEXA), and pre-clinical surgical and imaging facilities (microCT)

• We are able to run clinical validation, intra-operative testing and clinical trials