As new orthopaedic implants enter clinical use, it is essential to understand how they perform in patients and under real-world conditions. Pre-clinical testing cannot fully predict long-term behaviour, and early evaluation plays an important role in ensuring patient safety and supporting high-quality clinical outcomes.
The Centre contributes engineering, imaging and clinical evidence to strengthen the responsible introduction and ongoing assessment of new devices.
Why evaluation matters
Real-world implant performance is influenced by surgical technique, patient variability and physiological loading. Studying implants during early and ongoing clinical use helps to:
- Identify subtle signs of underperformance
- Detect wear, corrosion or mechanical changes not visible in laboratory testing
- Support safer implant selection and surgical decision-making
- Inform responsible innovation and device development
- Reduce the risk of early failure and revision surgery
How we evaluate implants
We combine engineering science, advanced imaging and computational modelling to build a comprehensive understanding of how implants function within the patient.
Fig 1: Five different designs of new 3D printed hip implants.
Geometric and dimensional measurement
- Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs)
- Out-of-roundness measurement systems
- Digitising arms for 3D mapping
- Surface profilometry
Microscopy and material assessment
- Optical microscopy to assess wear and corrosion
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
- Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX)
High-resolution imaging and surface mapping
- Micro-CT scanning
- Digital microscopy and 3D metrology
- Laser scanning for surface deformation and material loss
Figure 2: Surface scan of a hip implant component.
Computational modelling and digital metrology
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Wear and material-loss modelling
- Modular-junction and taper modelling
- Patient-specific simulations using CT or micro-CT
- Digital deviation mapping and computed surface reconstruction
- Integration of CMM, imaging and scanning datasets
Linking engineering research with clinical data
Engineering and imaging findings are reviewed alongside clinical outcomes, patient-reported measures, surgeon feedback and revision data. This combined approach ensures conclusions remain clinically relevant and directly support improvements in implant safety and patient care.
“We study how new implants perform in patients, using imaging and retrieval analysis to catch potential issues early and support safer surgical choices.”