|
This March, a world renowned, independent research lab joins the ranks of St. Joseph Medical Center, bringing cutting edge spinal technology to the St. Joseph campus.
The Orthopaedic Spinal Research Laboratory was established in 1986 at the Johns Hopkins Hospital with grant support from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and Orthopaedic Research Education Foundation (OREF). The laboratory moved to the Union Memorial Hospital in 1988 under the Directorship of Bryan W. Cunningham, MSc, and formed an alliance with Orthopaedic Associates Research Foundation and the Spine and Scoliosis Center located in the O'Dea Medical Arts Building. The Scoliosis and Spine Center is staffed by Drs. McAfee, Fedder, Sefter and Tortolani in addition to Kathy Mulford CRNP. With St. Joseph's long-standing reputation for outstanding Orthopaedic services, it was inevitable that the Research Laboratory would relocate to our campus, and continue to serve as a leader in the field of spinal research.
Bryan Cunningham explains the laboratory mission as the "basic scientific research investigation into the biomechanical and biological effects of spinal instrumentation and the determination of which implants best achieve stabilization and motion preservation in the spine." Working with Biomechanical Engineer, Jeff Gordon, Cunningham designed an advanced six degree of freedom spine simulator. The spine simulator recreates the natural movement of the spine in motion, and is used to perform biomechanical assessments of various spinal implants.
Some of the latest research focuses on total disc replacement to preserve mobility versus traditional methods of spinal fusion. Another important current research project is the testing of novel bone graft substitutes, known as bone morphogenetic proteins that serve to form new bone. However, these proteins are synthetic and need a carrier in order to do their work. Cunningham and his staff of Dr. Nianbin Hu as well as Candace Zorn, Gwen Holsapple, and Ellie Wilfong are studying what will be the best formulation now and in the future. Other types of spinal research focus on degenerative conditions, deformity, spinal trauma and the motion preservation capabilities of spinal implants.
Due to the lab's international reputation, board-certified orthopaedic surgeons from other countries are eager to become non-clinical research fellows. "Research Fellows obtain an excellent basic science research foundation upon which to build their clinical practices once they return home" says Cunningham. "We've had fellows from Japan, China, Sweden and Korea." According to Cunningham, "It is our collaborative effort with both research and clinical fellows from around the world that provides innovative and advanced technology for the surgical care and treatment of spinal patients."
Welcome and best wishes for continued success to the Orthopaedic Spinal Research Laboratory in their new home, located on the first floor of the Jordan Center at St. Joseph Medical Center.
|
