Surgical Research

Surgical Research

Global BioDevelopment’s surgical research arm specializes in preclinical surgical models for evaluation of implants, biomaterials, and devices in support human of orthopaedics. We have a team of experienced and trained veterinary surgeons. Modern, dedicated facilities and equipment allows us to conduct a wide range of surgical models. We have world-class facilities including dedicated surgical suite, radiology suite, preparation and necropsy room and an MRI suite.


Radiostereometric Analysis

RSA is a high precision means of radiographically tracking the migration and wear characteristics of orthopaedic implants. It allows assessment of performance features of a given implant in vivo with a resolution down to 20 microns. All RSA equipment and software is onsite.

Digital Radiography

Allows for rapid image generation and manipulation and which is linked to our server allowing images to be disseminated to international locations instantly.

Arthroscopy

We use a 4.0 mm arthroscope with three-chip camera and synovial resector. The image capture allows the generation of computer-based images of procedures which allows our surgeons to accurately determine the progress of the implant procedure.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

An on-site MRI allows evaluation of in vivo models and is performed on anesthetized animals in addition to CT scans to provide much greater contrast between different soft tissues.

Biomechanical Evaluation

Simple and complex mechanical evaluations are performed on retrieved tissues to evaluate loading to failure or non-destructive loading in either torsion or compression. This technique is also used to evaluate implant micromotion using a LASER/LVDT system.

Histopathology

Used to characterize tissues by accurately quantifying the level of cellular activity and the amount of existing bone mass. Methods include: fluorochrome analysis to evaluate bone deposition and confocal microscopy to evaluate cartilage wear following hemiarthroplasty.

Computed Tomography

We perform CT scans on necropsy specimens. We analyze CT scans using one of three image analysis programs – Analyze, Amira, or TLA.

General Device Applications

  • Orthopaedic Prostheses
  • Grafts
  • Tissue Sealants
  • Wound Healing
  • Dental
  • Disease model development

Specific Models Offered:

  • Rotator cuff repair – rat
  • Osteoporosis – rat
  • Fracture healing – rat
  • Critical size defect – rat
  • Infection models – rabbit
  • Osteochondral defect – rabbit
  • Arthritis (cruciate ligament transection) – rabbit
  • Radius/Ulna defect (critical size defect) – rabbit
  • Biomaterial evaluation – rabbit
  • Total hip replacement – sheep
  • Hemiarthroplasty – sheep
  • Cruciate and patella ligament reconstruction – sheep
  • Meniscal repair – sheep
  • Arthritis (cruciate ligament transection) – sheep
  • Autologous Cartilage Implantation (ACI) Specific
  • Critical sized (tibial) defect
  • Cancellous/cortical defects (scaffolds/implants)
  • Spinal implants


Surgical Researchers

John Field, DVSc, PhD

Dr John Field, DVSc, PhD, completed undergraduate veterinary studies in Australia and graduate degrees in Australia, Canada and Sweden. He is currently Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Research, at Flinders University, South Australia, where he is in the Comparative Orthopaedic Research Surgical Facility. Dr Field has published more than 50 articles in the peer-reviewed veterinary surgery literature. He is well known in international orthopaedic circles for his work developing total hip replacement models, ligament reconstruction and the study of fillers and fixatives used in orthopaedic procedures.

Simon Pearce, BVSc, PhD

Dr Simon Pearce, BVSc, PhD, is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He is currently Director of Surgical Research Australia Pty Ltd in South Australia. Dr Pearce has held academic positions in Australia, Canada, and Spain, and was Program Leader Contract Research and Head of Experimental Surgery at the AO Research Institute in Switzerland. This institute provides training to trauma and orthopaedic surgeons. He has published over 30 papers in peer-reviewed veterinary surgical journals.

Vince Mendenhall DVM, PhD

Dr Mendenhall is an experienced veterinary surgeon with over 35 years of expertise in performing procedures for surgically oriented preclinical contract research studies. He began his career at 3M and then was employed by Charles River Laboratories as Principal Scientist, Preclinical Surgery, where since 1993, he conducted over 50 surgical studies a year, while developing many new surgical models for Experimental Medicine, Medical Device development, Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology. He is known worldwide for his innovative surgical techniques in all surgical specialties. He has presented the results of his development work performed while employed at 3M and Charles River at 146 national and international peer-reviewed meetings, published ten book chapters, and 21 refereed publications.

Dr Mendenhall received a DVM and a PhD in Experimental Surgery/Comparative Anatomy, both from Colorado State University.