The Bioengineering Division at Royal Perth Hospital was created in 1969 when RPH employed the first engineer in Australia to provide specialist medical engineering services directly to clinicians. The early emphasis was in orthopaedics, spinal injuries and rehabilitation. Since then, the service has developed into a world–class unit, incorporating the Centre for Implant Technology & Retrieval Analysis (CITRA) who study retrieved implants, and the Advanced Design & Manufacturing group who develop custom and patient matched medical devices.

The Bioengineering team provides a comprehensive range of biomedical engineering services to hospitals throughout Western Australia. They provide unique solutions to medical and surgical problems across multiple disciplines, including Trauma, Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery, Burns, Plastics, Maxillofacial Surgery and Motor-skeletal Rehabilitation.

Research interests and focus

Our direct clinical support services are backed by research across biomechanics and biomaterials, medical device design, 3D modelling and tissue engineering. Bioengineering also provides research and development support for clinical teams across WA Health. They have expertise and equipment covering PPE testing, biomechanical testing, Computer Aided Design (CAD), 3D scanning and 3D printing, materials and engineering design. The Biomechanical Testing laboratory has machines covering the range from 1 kg to 2,500 kg load.

Current active research areas include: 

• Tissue engineering to replace both soft tissue and bone 
• Causes and patterns of Joint Arthroplasty failure 
• Developing TGA complaint workflows for point-of-care medical device design and manufacture 
• Biomechanical evaluation of internal fixation devices 
• Orbital volumetric analysis in facial trauma 

Example projects 

The influence of HLA genotype on development of metal hypersensitivity following joint replacement.
Dr Moreica Pabbruwe (EMHS)

Tissue engineering using adult mesenchymal stem cells and 3D printing to accelerate wound healing.  
A/Professor Alan Kop (EMHS)