Research > Facilities > Orthopaedic BioMaterials Laboratory
This lab is a multi-functional materials testing facility where a variety
of basic and applied biomaterials research is conducted such as static, fatigue,
and viscoelastic materials evaluation, implant stability testing, bone and
ligament strength determinations, and fracture fixation rigidity testing. Projects
include the development and evaluation of a reduced-modulus bone cement, quantification
of the mechanical degradation of bioabsorbable implants, the effect of ligament
preservation techniques on their strength and stiffness, and implant micromotion
measurements.
The lab is centered around an MTS Bionix 858 axial-torsional
servohydraulic materials test system with a dedicated 400 MHz microcomputer
and TestStar software for instrument control and data acquisition. An array
of grips and fixtures are available for holding a variety of specimen types.
Other equipment and instruments include a strain-gage conditioner for handling
the output of strain gauges and extensometers, multiple LVDTs and controllers
for quantifying micromotion, a temperature-controlled chamber for pseudophysiologic
testing and a three-dimensional micromotion transducer assembly for quantifying
implant stability. Also available in the laboratory is a laser micrometer for
optically measuring the dimensions (and computing the cross-sectional area)
of specimens. This is of particular value when dealing with soft tissues which
deform when measured with mechanical instruments (calipers, etc).
An adjacent room, used primarily for the formulation of bone
cement resins and the preparation of specimens, is equipped with a fume hood,
freezers, a slow-speed diamond saw, a grinding/mixing roller mill, and a digital
mini-lathe for reproducible specimen preparation.
The Department of Orthopaedics has acquired an EXAKT system consisting of a 310CPV Band Saw for precision controlled sectioning of tissues and implants with minimal interface aberration, a 400CS Grinding System for precision grinding and polishing of tissue specimens and particularly tissues with implants, and a 520 Light Polymerization Unit for mounting specimens in epoxy resin. This system has been set up as a joint venture with the College of Veterinary Medicine and is located in the Bone Histology Laboratory in the Veterinary Hospital Building where it is jointly administered by the Departments of Orthopaedics and Veterinary Clinical Sciences.
Contact Information
Alan S. Litsky, M.D., Sc.D.
Associate Professor of Orthopaedics
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Director, Orthopaedic BioMaterials Laboratory
Director, Orthopaedic Research
S-2035 Davis Medical Research Center
480 West 9th Ave
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: 614-293-4827
FAX: 614-293-4807
