Medical College of Wisconsin
Medical College of Wisconsin Medical College of Wisconsin
Patient Couch
Orthopaedic Surgery

Medical College of Wisconsin Biomaterials and Histology Lab

The Biomaterials Lab has done its most significant work on the development and evaluation of ceramic biomaterials for orthopaedic applications, mechanisms and clinical applications of osteoinductive materials, and evaluation of materials for orthopaedic and spine devices. The biomaterials lab also has expertise in the retrieval analysis of explanted spine devices. The lab also collaborates with Marquette University’s Biomaterials program.

Residents and students can become involved in implant studies and basic research that will help them evaluate new products throughout their careers. Dr. Toth has mentored 49 graduate students (42 MS and 7 PhD). In addition, he regularly publishes work with our orthopaedic residents.


Biomaterials and Histopathology Laboratory

About the Lab

all
Equipment
To evaluate implants and implant materials, the biomaterials and histopathology lab is equipped with a tissue processor, an embedding center, a rotary microtomes, a Jung microtome, diamond saws, and a darkroom equipped for microradiography Histomorphometry of bone and implants are also performed using image analysis software.

Specifically available equipment includes: a Leica ASP 300 tissue processor, a Leica paraffin embedding center, several microtomes, including an Olympus CUT 4055, an Olympus CUT 4060 retracting microtome, and a Reichert Jung sledge microtome. A high-resolution radiography system (Model 43805 Faxitron), tissue preparation area and histological staining area under a fume hoods, several microscopes including a Zeiss Universal (capable of ultraviolet fluorescence, phase contrast, polarized light, and photomicrography), Siemens K-2 microradiography unit, six diamond saws (four high speed, two low speed), and analytical balance. An Image Pro-Premier v9.3 image analysis system as well as digital cameras can be coupled to any of the microscopes for quantitative histomorphometry.

Funding
The laboratory is supported by extramural funding sources, the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and Marquette University. 
Personnel
The OREC Biomaterials Research Laboratory is directed by Jeffrey Toth, BSEng, PhD, FAIMBE. Dr. Toth’s research expertise includes: Bone histology and histomorphometry, Bone Grafts and bone graft substitutes, Fabrication, characterization, and evaluation of biomaterials, Characterization and pre-clinical testing of orthopaedic biomaterials, and Mechanisms and clinical uses for osteoinductive substances and materials.

Space

OREC Biomaterials Research Labs and Offices are located on the Marquette University Campus in the Physics Building, Room 127 (1,250 ft2) and offices (250 ft2) contain tissue processing equipment as well as a darkroom (84 ft2).