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Mission
The J. Vernon Luck Orthopaedic Research Center is a source of independent scientific and technical reference for the orthopaedic community, industry and policy-makers that provides groundbreaking, innovative and creative solutions through translational research.
Our vision is to make Orthopaedic Hospital and UCLA a center of reference and excellence for research, innovation and technology in the treatment of musculoskeletal disease and injury.
Our long-term goal is to reduce disability and improve mobility and quality of life for patients at Orthopaedic Hospital, and worldwide.
The Mission of the J. Vernon Luck Orthopaedic Research Center is to support and promote:
- Research and development projects that address musculoskeletal problems by evaluating efficacy of current orthopaedic implants and surgical techniques, and by developing improved implants and treatments
- Education of scientists and clinicians in the latest research on treatments, devices and therapies for orthopaedic musculoskeletal diseases and musculoskeletal injury
- Communication between basic researchers studying the musculoskeletal system and clinicians treating millions of patients affected by musculoskeletal diseases or musculoskeletal injury
- Collaborative musculoskeletal research and development programs among scientists, clinicians, educators, and commercial entities
The research programs of the J. Vernon Luck Orthopaedic Research Center are supported by funding from granting agencies such as the NIH, from private foundations, particularly the Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital Foundation, and through collaborations with the orthopaedic industry.
Under an alliance with UCLA that was signed in 1998, the principal investigators of the J. Vernon Luck Orthopaedic Research Center hold faculty appointments in the UCLA and Orthopaedic Hospital Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, which fosters collaboration with clinicians and scientists throughout the UCLA academic community.
The investigators of the Luck Center routinely collaborate on projects with other academic institutions, orthopaedic manufacturers, and regulatory agencies.
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.
Laboratories
Implant Biomechanics
Implant Tribology
Implant Retrieval Analysis
Biomaterials and Particle Analysis Laboratory
Cellular Reaction
Bone and Tissue Biomechanics
Cartilage Cell Biology
Computer Modeling
Endocrinology
Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Program
Continue: Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center at UCLA
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A patient walks with Dr. Luck
Dr. Zhen Lu at work
Evaluating micromotion at implant-bone interface
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