As Professor in the Joint Research Center at Loma Linda University, Ian C. Clarke formed the Peterson Tribology Laboratory in 1996 under the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. The lab now performs independent and proprietary studies for industry worldwide.
Initiating from a generous contribution of the Howard and Irene Peterson family, the laboratory serves as an impartial and scientific source for private industry. The laboratory performs wear testing of the latest joint replacement designs and investigates improvements in design and material choice. The Peterson Tribology Laboratory regularly publishes in scientific journals and sponsors scientific retreats to foster communication in academia.
Current areas of interest encompass the wear of polyethylene, metal, and ceramic biomaterials used in artificial joints. Currently with machine capacity to run 72 hip and 15 knee joints, the Peterson Tribology Laboratory sponsors original research, runs PhD programs, and supports annual Fellowships in Tribological Research. ADDRESS For further information and questions on the support we can provide please contact us as follows: Peterson Tribology Laboratory STAFF
CMM Studies of Implant Geometry Hip Simulator Serum Lubricated Hip Wear Test at Peterson Tribology Laboratory Knee Wear study by Japanese Research Fellows Weigh-Ions Studies SEM studies of implant wear and debris at University California of Riverside Debris purification, filtering and image processing 32-60mm Metal and metal hip bearings ready for analysis
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Department Joint Research Center
School of Medicine, Loma Linda University
11406 Loma Linda Drive, Suite #606
Loma Linda, CA 92354
Telephone: (909) 558-6490, Fax: (909) 558-6018
Email: chalim@llu.edu, iclarke@llu.edu
Ian C. Clarke, PhD
Professor and Director of Peterson Tribology Laboratory
iclarke@llu.edu
John G. Bowsher, PhD
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Research
johnbowsher@hotmail.com
Paul Williams, MSc
Manager of the Debris Analysis Laboratory
pwilliams@llu.edu
Thomas Halim
Manager Tribology Laboratory
thomashalim@hotmail.com
Cecelia Halim
Administrative Research Assistant
chalim@llu.edu
Riichiro Tsukamoto, MD
Japanese Research Fellows
Takeshi Sorimachi, MD, PhD
Japanese Research Fellows
Kosuke Kubo, MD, PhD
Japanese Research Fellows
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
Biomedical Studies, Materials Science, Implant Design Studies, Tribological Studies, Wear Mapping, Debris Analyses, Implant Retrieval Studies, Standard Activities, Regulatory Studies.
LABORATORY FOCUS
ZYGO Laser Interferometer DARF (Donaldson Arthritis Research Foundation)
Wear-Simulation Implant Studies
All-CoCr hip joints
All-alumina ceramic joints
Zirconia / polyethelene combinations
Highly-crosslinked polyethylene hip cups
Highly-crosslinked polyethylene tibial inserts
Micro-separation versus standard hip kinematics: Severe wear 3rd body debris and roughened surfaces
Wear Debris studies
Knee debris from highly-crosslinked polyethylenes
Alumina, zirconia, and CoCr debris
Metal ion concentrations around CoCr implants
Histology and debris extraction from tissue retrieval studies
Clinical Implant Studies
Radiographic wear studies
Implant-retrieval Wear Studies
Polyethylene and Hylamer hip cups
Highly-crosslinked hip cups
Alumina balls + cups with 15-25 years follow-up
CoCr balls and cups
CoCr/PE and ceramic/PE knee joints
Fracture studies and implants
Mechanical small-punch characterization studies of retrieved polyethylene
CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS
Hip and Knee Wear Simulation
Debris Studies (Metal Ceramics Polyethyelenes)
Roughness Studies (Laser Interferometer)
3rd body abrasive wear studies
SEM wear mapping - Phillips FEG-SEM
Metal ion studies (Fourier Transform I.R. back-scatter omission mode Energy dispersive .spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy)
CoCr metallurgy
Biomechanics of hip-cup designs
COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS
Karolinska Institutet, Tokyo Medical College, Baylor Medical College, Kyoto University, University of Göteborg, Strathclyde University, Osaka Minami National Hospital
