Research Overview
I use my engineering expertise to understand orthopaedic systems and then apply this knowledge - in collaboration with clinicians and industry - to improve surgical interventions for orthopaedic pain, disease and trauma.
My research aims to relieve the burden of orthopaedic conditions for patients through restoring normal biomechanical function. I believe that a successful treatment is one that is forgotten; patients are able to return to their daily activities without consideration of their joint.
My research focuses on the hip and knee joints, though I am interested in all aspects of the musculoskeletal system.
ACTIVE RESEARCH AREAS
- Preclinical test methods
- Implantable sensors
- Bone adaptation following trauma/arthroplasty
- Partial, combined partial & total knee arthroplasty
- Resurfacing & total hip arthroplasty
- Ligament repair & reconstructions
- Joint preserving surgery
- Additive manufacturing for orthopaedics
- Shear wave ultrasound for orthopaedics
- AI for orthopaedics
RESEARCH METHODS
- Measuring implant bony ingrowth in the laboratory using bioreactor technology
- Robotic analysis of hip and knee joint function in the laboratory
- Use of shear-wave ultrasound to measure soft-tissue function following surgery
- Developing smart implants to measure implant fixation and infection
- Additive manufacturing
- Optical tracking of joint motion in the laboratory
- Testing orthopaedic systems in materials testing machines
- Purpose-built rigs to measured joint mechanics: e.g. knee extensor mechanism function
- Finite element modelling of implanted joints and bones
EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS
- The London Hip Unit
- Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
- St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Freeman Hospital
- DePuy Synthes
- Zimmer Biomet
- Renishaw
- Rush University Medical Center, Chicago
- Institute of Orthopedic Research & Education, Texas
- Southampton University
- Cardiff University
INTERNAL COLLABORATORS
I am actively engaged with researchers across the MSk MEC at Imperial College London
FUNDING:
I am grateful for my current/past research support from:
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- The Wellcome Trust
- Arthritis Research UK
- The Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- DePuy Synthes
- Zimmer Biomet
- Corin Group
- Renishaw
- Sir Michael Uren Foundation
- Peter Stormonth-Darling
- The Sackler Trust