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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R76431/01
Title: Patient specific Biological Responses to Total Joint Arthroplasties: New Engineering Solutions
Principal Investigator: Tipper, Professor JL
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Organisation: University of Leeds
Scheme: Advanced Fellowship (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 October 2002 Ends: 30 September 2009 Value (£): 246,169
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Biomaterials Tissue Engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
23 Nov 2001 Engineering Fellowships Panel (2002) Deferred
Summary on Grant Application Form
Wear particles released from the articulating surfaces of total joint replacements induce biological reactions, namely the release of cytokines, which ultimately lead to bone loss around the implant and loosening of the prosthesis. This often leads to pain and the need for a revision operation. The biological response to wear particles is variable, with some patients exhibiting low reactivity, some intermediate reactivity and some an aggressive response. It is the patients that experience an aggressive response that are likely to be more susceptible to prosthesis failure. The biological response to clinically-relevant polyethylene and alumina ceramic wear particles, in terms of cytokine production, will be determined for individual patients awaiting hip replacement operations. Using molecular biology techniques the distribution of single base DNA changes in the control regions of bone depleting cytokines will be determined. Clinical outcome of replacement joints will be correlated with the biological response to wear particles and genotype. This research will provide the basis for valuable diagnostic tests, capable of identifying those patients most at risk of implant failure. The most suitable prosthesis type will then be selected for individual patients. With routine screening of patients prior to total joint replacement, the need for revision will be greatly reduced. As the ageing population becomes more active and lives longer and an increasing number of prostheses are being implanted into younger patients, implant longevity has become more important. Currently, there is great interest in alternative bearing materials such as modified polyethylene's and ceramics, however, suitability is often assessed on wear volume alone prior to clinical use. Biological activity of wear particles is an important indicator of clinical performance, and determination of the biological activity of the wear particles released from new bearing materials such as modified ceramics and surface engineered coating materials will be determined.
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Organisation Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk