Orthopaedic Hospital | Research Capabilities

The Center is organized into a number of laboratories with distinct areas of expertise. Researchers in these laboratories closely collaborate to develop powerful, multi-disciplinary solutions to critical orthopaedic problems.

Measurement of Implant Performance

In addition to the improvement and invention of new orthopaedic implants and materials, the Center performs testing on implant performance, including implant wear assessment, and implant retrieval analysis, biomechanics studies and bioreactivity.

Clinical Outcome Studies

In collaboration withthe UCLA and Orthopaedic Hospital Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the Center evaluates outcomes of surgical procedure, implant success and adverse reactions including randomized prospective, retrospective, and comparative studies. Topics include total joint replacement, fracture healing, soft-tissue repair and spinal instrumentation.

Testing Equipment

The test equipment and analytical instrumentation of the Luck Center include hip and intervertebral disc wear simulators, multi-axis servo-hydraulic load frames, implant sectioning and microtoming facility, light and electron microscopy, tissue culture, micro-CT scanner, ultracentrifuges, dedicated machine shop and electronics lab, CMM and surface analysis, and many others.

Lines of Research

Wear simulation of new bearing materials for hip and intervertebral disc arthroplasties, and simulation of fretting wear at fixation interfaces;
Failure analysis of joint replacements, e.g., metal-on-metal surface arthroplasty components;
Isolation and characterization of nanometer-size metal and polymeric implant debris generated in laboratory simulations and in clinical use;
Evaluation of fixation, strength and range of motion of hip and knee implant components, including surface arthroplasties and fixation devices for spine;
The effect of mechanical stimulation on the healing of long-bone fractures;
Signal transduction in chondrogenesis of adult stem cells downstream of TGF-β and BMP;
Design, development and testing of innovative, practical prosthetic devices to assist children with orthopaedic disabilities.

Continue: Laboratories

Dr. Zhen Lu at work