Dean of Postgraduate Research
Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Extension: 7285
Email:
lucy.johnston@canterbury.ac.nz
Summer Research Scholarship Scheme
2014-2015
Project Application Form
Please complete and submit the application form as a WORD document and send to
summerscholarships@canterbury.ac.nz
The Project
Title of Project: Acoustic Emission Testing and Sensor Development for Monitoring Total Hip
Joint Replacement Implants
Project Leader(s):
Dr. Geoff Rodgers
Host Department/Organization:
Mechanical Engineering
Other persons involved in this topic/activity:
(List other significant members involved along with their affiliation to the research project.)
Name
Affiliation to project
Prof Geoff Chase
Co-supervisor
Brief outline of project
Describe the proposed research project.
The number of total knee replacements performed in the U.S. will leap by 673% - reaching 3.48
million by the year 2030, and hip replacements will increase by 174% to 572,000, largely due to
demographic ageing. Total joint replacement (TJR) surgery is typically the last resort for people
with degenerative joint disease. TJR surgery is extremely successful (~90%), but these joints need
to be replaced due to wear and/or premature loosening of the implant after 10-15 years. The more
primary joint replacements surgeries there are, the more revision TJR surgeries there will be, thus
creating a significant and increasing cost.
Therefore, there is a huge challenge to find and implement effective screening programmes for
detecting early TJR wear or failure for orthopaedic surgeons to properly manage revision surgery.
Early diagnosis of impending failure can save significant time, cost and more serious surgery.
Currently, there are no reliable, non-traumatic and non-invasive methods to monitor the healing
process or loosening status after TJR.
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Our group is investigating acoustic emission (AE) monitoring as a method to provide insight into
implant condition and provide early detection of wear and loosening. We are developing the AE
concept for use as a diagnostic tool to assess implant designs and materials.
The project will involve the design and testing of a set-up to record implant vibrations of an in-vitro
(outside the body) joint replacement implant and evaluation of the results. The project will involve
analysis of a large set of in-vitro and in-vivo data to identify trends and relate observations to
clinical outcomes. The project will also involve patient testing in a clinical environment at the
Canterbury Orthopaedic and Bone Research Association (COBRA) unit at Burwood Hospital.
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time (s)
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Joint Replacement
Implant
Power Spectrum
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Frequency (kHz)
Recorded output signal from clinical trials
If the project involves work away from the University campus (e.g., at fieldwork sites) please detail all locations.
Testing may be undertaken at Christchurch and/or Burwood Hospitals
If the student be required to work outside of normal university hours (8am-5pm) please provide details
No unusual hours required.
Benefits student will gain from involvement in the project
Describe the research experience and skills that the student will acquire through involvement in this research project –
maximum of 100 words.
Benefits to the student in completing this project include:
 Practical experience in applied sensor technology and experimental methods
 An understanding of electronics and mechatronic systems
 Practical experience in data handling, signal processing and analysis techniques in both timedomain and frequency domain
 Experience with applications of medical device design.
 Interaction with medical researchers and orthopaedic surgeons
This studentship would provide skills to a successful student interested in completing a Masters or
PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering and/or Bioengineering.
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Specific student requirements
Please provide details of all requirements you have for the student to work on this project – for example, if specific
courses/experience are necessary.
This project is intended for a 2nd or 3rd Pro Mech Eng/Mechatronics student. Specific areas of
interest the student would have are:
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An interest in applying engineering problem solving to experimental methods
An interest in data analysis and signal processing
A good working knowledge of Matlab is preferable but not essential
An interest in bioengineering
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