1. School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems WWW.BIOMED.DREXEL.EDU/ResearchPortfolio/ V 1.0 SD [020329] IMPLANT RESEARCH Mechanics and Performance of Traceable UHMWPE Hip Implants PROGRAM OVERVIEWPROGRAM OVERVIEW Faculty/Contact: Steven Kurtz, Ph.D., Drexel University. E-mail: skurtz@drexel.edu Collaborating Researchers: Michele Marcolongo, Ph.D., Drexel University. Laboratories: Implant Research Center. Web site: http://www.implantcenter.org The project is a multi-center collaboration between Drexel, Thomas Jefferson University, and Case Western Reserve and will be a major effort in understanding the relationship between processing, structure, and properties of polyethylene hip components in relation to clinical parameters such as wear, range of motion, and pain. This multi-center award totals $1 million. Steve Kurtz, Research Assoc. Prof. in Biomedical Engineering serves as the PI and M. Marcolongo, Materials Engineering as a co-PI. Improvement of Spine Implant Performance Through Analysis of Retrieved Implants This proposal is driven by the goal to establish an inter-institutional spine implant database to examine the surface damage and wear of clinically retrieved spinal instrumentation and the effects on peri- prosthetic tissue.

2. School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems WWW.BIOMED.DREXEL.EDU/ResearchPortfolio/ V 1.0 SD [020329] PROJECTONEPAGERPROJECTONEPAGER Faculty/Contact: Steven Kurtz, Ph.D., PI, Drexel University. E-mail: skurtz@drexel.edu Collaborating Researchers: Michele Marcolongo, Ph.D., Co-PI, Drexel University. Funding: Laboratories: Laboratory for Biomaterials and Biosurfaces in Tissue Engineering. MECHANICS & PERFORMANCE OF TRACEABLE UHMWPE HIP IMPLANTS Sample Retrieved Implant The project is a multi-center collaboration between Drexel, Thomas Jefferson University, and Case Western Reserve and will be a major effort in understanding the relationship between processing, structure, and properties of polyethylene hip components in relation to clinical parameters such as wear, range of motion, and pain. This multi-center award totals $1 million. Steve Kurtz, Research Assoc. Prof. in Biomedical Engineering serves as the PI and M. Marcolongo, Materials Engineering as a co-PI.

3. School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems WWW.BIOMED.DREXEL.EDU/ResearchPortfolio/ V 1.0 SD [020329] Faculty/Contact: Marta L. Villarraga, Ph.D., Drexel University. E-mail: mvillarraga@drexel.edu Collaborating Researchers: Peter Cripton, Ph.D., Exponent; Alexander Vaccaro, M.D.; Alan Hilibrand, M.D.; Todd Albert, M.D. - Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson University. Funding: Synos Foundation; Cervical Spine Research Society. Laboratories: Implant Research Center. IMPROVEMENT OF SPINE IMPLANT PERFORMANCE THROUGH ANALYSIS OF RETRIEVED IMPLANTS This proposal is driven by the goal to establish an inter-institutional spine implant database to examine the surface damage and wear of clinically retrieved spinal instrumentation and the effects on peri-prosthetic tissue. This project will allow expansion of the retrieval program at the Implant Research Center beyond hip and knee implants to include spinal implants and adjacent tissue by establishing an inter-institutional spine implant database. PROJECTONEPAGERPROJECTONEPAGER The long-term goals of the IRC include developing the technological resources to accelerate product development for medical device companies. In addition, it intends to disseminate relevant information about device success and failure to members of the orthopedic community. Information gained through retrieval and analysis of spine implants can provide additional input into the performance evaluation of spinal implants. Contributions to implant design provided by retrieval and analysis will ultimately benefit patients through improvements in implant performance.