BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH

Book Chapters

• Higgs RJED, Higgs, WAJ. Book Chapter – Thigh Pain After Total Hip Arthroplasty, Advances in Osteoarthritis. Tanake & Hamanishi (Eds.). Springer-Verlag Tokyo, 1999.

Published Journal Articles

• Higgs WAJ, Tong.L, Steven GP. Lateral Buckling Behaviour of Pneumatically Stiffened Reinforced Composite Beams in Bending. Journal of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Vol. 39, No. 2, 303-307, February 2001.

• Duncan, CS; Blimkie, CJR; Kemp, A; Higgs, W; Cowell, CT; Woodhead, H; Briody, JN; Howman-Giles, R Mid-femur geometry and biomechanical properties in 15-to 18-yr-old female athletes Medicine And Science In Sports And Exercise, 34 (4): 673-681 APR 2002.

• Farpour-Lambert NJ, Blimkie CJ, Kemp A, Higgs W, Cowell C, Donaghue K, Braun M. Bone geometry and biomechanical indices in children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM): Influence of exercise. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 15: SA085, Supplement 1, September, 2000.

• Higgs WAJ, Lucksanasombool P, Higgs RJ Swain M. Comparison of the Materials Properties of PMMA and Glass-Ionomer Cements for use in Orthopaedic Surgery. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine 12 (5) (2001), pp 453-460.

• Higgs WAJ, Lucksanasombool P, Higgs RJ Swain M. A simple method of determining the elastic modulus of acrylic bone cements. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research (Applied Biomaterials) Vol. 58, Issue 2, pp 188-195 (2001).

• Higgs WAJ, Lucksanasombool P, Higgs RJ Swain M. Evaluating Acrylic and Glass-ionomer Cement Strength using the Biaxial Flexure Biomaterials, (2001), Vol.22, No. 12, 1583-1590.

• Lucksanasombool, P; Higgs, WAJ; Higgs, RJED, Swain MV. Time dependence of the mechanical properties of GICs in simulated physiological conditions, J Mater Sci-Mater Med, 13 (8): 745-750 AUG 2002.

• Lucksanasombool P, Higgs WAJ, , Higgs RJ Swain M, Howlett, C.R. Effects of Glass Ionomer Cements on Bone Tissues. Journal of Material Science: Materials in Medicine,13 (2): 203-210 FEB 2002.

• P. Lucksanasombool, W. A. J. Higgs, R. Higgs and M. V. Swain, “Effect of temperature on the fracture toughness of compact bone,” Journal of Biomaterials, vol. 22, no. 23, pp. 3127-3132, Dec. 2001.

• Lucksanasombool P, Higgs WAJ, Higgs RJ Swain M. Toughness of glass fibre reinforced glass-ionomer cements. Journal Materials Science: Materials in Medicine 37(1):101-108, 2002 Jan.

• Lucksanasombool P, Higgs WAJ Higgs RJ Swain M. Fracture toughness of bovine bone: influence of orientation and storage media. Biomaterials (2001), Vol. 22, No. 23, pp 3127-3132.

• Lucksanasombool P, Higgs WAJ Higgs RJ Swain M. Interfacial fracture toughness between bovine cortical bone and Cements. Biomaterials (2003), Vol. 24, No. 7, pp 1159-1166.

• Lucksanasombool P, Higgs WAJ, Ignat M, Higgs RJ Swain M. Comparison of the failure characteristics of a range of cancellous bone-bone cement composites. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research (2003) Vol. 64A, Issue 1, pp 93-104.

Conference Presentations

• Higgs WAJ, Lucksanasombool P, Swain M, Higgs RJ. Comparative Mechanical Properties of Glass-Ionomer Cement and Acrylic Bone Cement. Presented at 8th Annual Conference of Australian Society for Biomaterials, 25-27th March 1998, Marysville, Australia.

• Higgs WAJ, Lucksanasombool P, Higgs RJ, Swain MV Do Glass-Ionomer Cements have a place in Orthopaedic Surgery – Part I – Mechanical Properties. Presented, Proceedings of 58th Annual Scientific Meeting, October 11¬16,1998, Australian Orthopaedic Association &ANZORS. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Proceedings. British Volume, 81(B):SUPP I, 1999.

• Lucksanasombool P, Higgs WAJ, Higgs RJ, Swain MV. Fracture Toughness and Interfacial Toughness of Bone, Acrylic and Glass-Ionomer Cements. Proceedings of 58th Annual Scientific Meeting, October 11-16,1998, Australian Orthopaedic Association & ANZORS.

• Higgs WAJ, Lucksanasombool P, Higgs RJ, Swain MV Experimental and Theoretical Determination of the Biaxial Flexure Strength of Acrylic and Glass-Ionomer cements for use in Total Hip Arthroplasty. Proceedings of 58th Annual Scientific Meeting, October 11-16,1998, Australian Orthopaedic Association & ANZORS.

• Higgs WAJ, Tong.L, Steven GP. Engineering Analysis of an Experimental Orthotic Knee Joint: A Finite Element and Experimental Study. 1998 November 15-19. Presented, Proceedings of the Annual National Conference on Engineering and the Physical Sciences in Medicine (EPSM98) Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

• Higgs WAJ, Higgs RJ, Swain MV. Evaluation of a New Bone Cement-Glass-Ionomer. 1998 November 15-19. Presented, Proceedings of the Annual National Conference on Engineering and the Physical Sciences in Medicine (EPSM98) Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

• Higgs RJED, Higgs WAJ. Hemi to Bipolar Shoulder Arthroplasty – Design Rationale. Marter Hospital Miscercordial Orthopaedic Meeting, Sydney, 3rd-5th November, 1998.

• Higgs WAJ, Lucksanasombool P, Swain M, Higgs RJ. Determination of the Interfacial Toughness and Fracture Toughness of Glass-Ionomer and Acrylic Bone Cements in Contact with Bovine Bone-Theory and Experimental Results. 9th Annual Conference of Australian Society for Biomaterials, 25-27th March 1999, Canberra, Australia.

• Higgs WAJ, Higgs RJED, Swain MV. Evaluation of a New Bone Cement – Glass-Ionomer. Presented at British Orthopaedic Annual Congress, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 15-17 September, 1999. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Proceedings. British Volume, XXX, 2000.

• Higgs WAJ, Letters TJ, Higgs RJED, Walsh WR. Stress Analysis of Prosthetic Glenoid Designs – The Effect of Conformity and Type. British Orthopaedic Annual Congress, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 15-17 September, 1999.

• Higgs RJED, Higgs WAJ. Thigh Pain After Total Hip Arthroplasty. British Orthopaedic Annual Congress, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 15-17 September, 1999.

• Letters, T, Higgs WAJ , F.A.D Beutter, Walsh WR.Glenoid and Cement Mantle Strain Following Shoulder Arthroplasty:A Cadaveric Strain Gauge Analysis. Australian Orthopaedic NSW State Meeting, May 7, Liverpool Hospital, 1999.

• Higgs RJED, Higgs WAJ, Swain MV. Long Term Performance of Ceramic-Ceramic Polymer Articulations – A 20 Year Clinical Experience. 3rd Congress of the Western Pacific Orthopaedic Association Hip Section. 10-12 September, 1999, Penang, Malaysia.

• Letters, T, Beutter, F, Higgs, W.A.J, Watson, Walsh, W. Glenoid and Cement Mantle Strain Following Shoulder Arthroplasty:A Cadaveric Strain Gauge Analysis. Elbow and Shoulder Section. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Meeting (AAOS), 2000.

• Higgs WAJ, P.Lucksanasombool, Higgs RJ, Swain MV. Characterisation of a new bioactive bone cement – comparison with PMMA. American Orthopaedic Research Society, Orlando, USA, 2000.

• Letters T J, Watson E M, Buetter F A D, Higgs W A J, Sonnabend D H, Walsh W R, Glenoid And Cement Mantle Strain Following Shoulder Arthroplasy: A Cadaveric Strain Gauge Analysis. American Shoulder and Elbow Society 2000.

• Higgs WAJ, Lucksanasombool P, Higgs RJ, Swain MV Do Glass-Ionomer Cements have a place in Orthopaedic Surgery – Part II – Mechanical Properties. Presented, Proceedings of 59th Annual Scientific Meeting, October 10-16,1999, Australian Orthopaedic Association &ANZORS. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Proceedings. British Volume, XXX, 2000.

• Lucksanasombool P, Higgs WAJ, Higgs RJ, Swain MV Problems with the Measurement of the Fracture Toughness of Bone – Effects of Alcohol Storage. Proceedings of 59th Annual Scientific Meeting, October 10¬16,1999, Australian Orthopaedic Association &ANZORS. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Proceedings. British Volume, , 2000.

• Higgs WAJ, Tong, L, Higgs RJ, Steven GP. Design of a Novel Orthotic Knee Joint for Paraplegic Bracing. Proceedings of 59th Annual Scientific Meeting, October 10-16,1999, Australian Orthopaedic Association &ANZORS. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Proceedings. British Volume XXX, 2000.

• Higgs WAJ, Letters, TJ, Higgs RJED, Walsh, WR. Stresses surrounding the Prosthetic Glenoid –Effect of Conformity, Radial Mismatch and Abduction Angle – A Finite Element Study. Presented, Proceedings of 59th Annual Scientific Meeting, October 10-16,1999, Australian Orthopaedic Association &ANZORS. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Proceedings. British Volume, 2000.

• Higgs RJ, Higgs WAJ Swain MV. Long-term Performance of Ceramic-Ceramic and Ceramic-Polymer Articulations – A 20 Year Clinical Experience. Presented, Proceedings of 59th Annual Scientific Meeting, October 10-16,1999, Australian Orthopaedic Association &ANZORS. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Proceedings. British Volume, 2000.

• Higgs RJ, Higgs WAJ. Thigh Pain After Total Hip Arthroplasty. Presented, Proceedings of 59th Annual Scientific Meeting, October 10-16,1999, Australian Orthopaedic Association &ANZORS. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Proceedings. British Volume XXX, 2000.

• Letters, T J., Higgs WAJ Beutter, EM, Watson, EM, Sonnabend DH, Walsh, WR. Glenoid and Cement Mantle Strain Following Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Cadaveric Strain Gauge Analysis. Presented, Proceedings of 59th Annual Scientific Meeting, October 10-16,1999, Australian Orthopaedic Association &ANZORS. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Proceedings. British Volume XXX, 2000.

• Higgs WAJ, P.Lucksanasombool, Higgs RJ, Swain MV. Evaluation of a New Orthopaedic Bone Cement-PART II. 1999 October 24-28. Presented, Proceedings of the Annual National Conference on Engineering and the Physical Sciences in Medicine (EPSM99) Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

• Higgs WAJ, T.J Letters, Higgs RJED, Walsh, W.R. Stress Analysis of Prosthetic Glenoid Designs used in Current Total Shoulder Surgery. 1999 October 24-28. Proceedings of the Annual National Conference on Engineering and the Physical Sciences in Medicine (EPSM99) Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

• Letters T J, Higgs W A J, Beutter F A D, Watson E M, Sonnabend D H. Walsh W R. 1999 October 24-28.Proceedings of the Annual National Conference on Engineering and the Physical Sciences in Medicine (EPSM99) Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

• Higgs WAJ, Lucksanasombool P, Higgs RJ, Swain MV Experimental and Theoretical Determination of the Biaxial Flexure Strength of Acrylic and Glass-Ionomer cements for use in Total Hip Arthroplasty MATERIALS EXPO – “New Materials, New Products and New Investments”, Australian Technology Park, November 16, 1999.

• Lucksanasombool P, Higgs WAJ, Higgs RJ, Swain MV. Fracture Toughness and Interfacial Toughness of Bone, Acrylic and Glass-Ionomer Cements. MATERIALS EXPO – “New Materials, New Products and New Investments”, Australian Technology Park, November 16, 1999.

• Dawes-Higgs E, Dubenec S, Higgs WAJ, Kossard, S, Higgs RJED. Mind your E’s and S’s – Defining Mechanical Properties of Skin. Stress, Strain, Elastic Modulus, Viscoelasticity and Extensibility. 38th Annual Meeting of the Australasian College of Dermatologists, Sydney, May 22, 2000.

• Dawes-Higgs E, Higgs WAJ, Dubenec S, Kossard, S, Higgs RJED. Mechanical Properties of Skin – What is it all about?. Presented at 38th Annual Meeting of the Australasian College of Dermatologists, Sydney, May 22, 2000.

• Higgs RJED, Higgs, WAJ, Swain, M. V. Long-term Performance of Ceramic-Ceramic and Ceramic-Polymer Articulations – A 20 Year Clinical Experience. AUSTCERAM 2000 International Ceramic Conference, Sydney, June 26-28, 2000.

• Ironside J, Higgs, WAJ, Swain, M. V. Failure of Dental Ceramic Bilayers in a State of Biaxial Flexure. AUSTCERAM 2000 International Ceramic Conference, Sydney, June 26-28, 2000.

• Higgs RJED, Higgs WAJ, Dawes-Higgs E, Swain, M. V. Ceramic Wear and Associated Problems. “Joint Replacement now and into the Millennium”. Australian Orthopaedic Surgeon’s Continuing Education Meeting, Gold Coast, July 12-14, 2000.

• Letters, T. J, Higgs, W.A.J. Structural stability of cortical strut allografts in periprosthetic fractures – a finite element analysis. Australasian Physical & Engineering Science in Medicine. 23(4) 2000, p185.

 (Presented at the Annual National Conference on Engineering and the Physical Sciences in Medicine (EPSM2000) Conference, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 5th-9th November, 2000)
• Jones, S, Higgs, W.A.J Higgs, Higgs, R.J.E.D, M.V. Swain. Rheology of bone cements used in orthopaedic surgery. Australasian Physical & Engineering Science in Medicine. 23(4) 2000, p 197.

 (Presented at the Annual National Conference on Engineering and the Physical Sciences in Medicine (EPSM2000) Conference, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 5th-9th November, 2000)
• Higgs, W.A.J, Letters, T.J Letters, Higgs, R.J.E.D. Biomechanics of the Shoulder Prosthesis.

 Australasian Physical & Engineering Science in Medicine. 23(4) 2000, p 186. (Presented at the Annual National Conference on Engineering and the Physical Sciences in Medicine (EPSM2000) Conference, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 5th-9th November, 2000)

• Higgs, W.A.J. Bone cements in Orthopaedic Surgery. Award Presentation Paper, Royal Society of New South Wales Meeting, University of Technology Sydney, November 8, 2000.

• Higgs, R.J.E.D, Higgs, W.A.J, Dawes-Higgs, E, Swain, M. Long term wear of ceramic-ceramic and ceramic-polymer articulations for total hip replacement. 2nd Research Conference “From Cell to Society”, College of Health Sciences, 1-2 November, 2000.

• Higgs, W.A.J, Jones, S, Lucksanasombool P, Higgs, R.J.E.D, M.V. Swain. Rheological characterisation of cementitious biomaterials. 11th Annual Conference Australian Society of Biomaterials, 6th-8th February, 2001.

• Lucksanasombool, P, Higgs, W.A.J, Ignat, M, Higgs, R.J.E.D, M.V. Swain. Failure characterisation of cancellous bone-PMMA composite. 11th Annual Conference Australian Society of Biomaterials, 6th-8th February, 2001.

• Higgs, RJED, Dawes-Higgs, E.K, Higgs, W.A.J. E-Medicine – Aitutaki to Sydney and back. Presented at the Australian Orthopaedic Association Continuing Education Meeting, Sydney, 9th March, 2001.

• Higgs, W.A.J, Lucksanasombool P, Higgs, R.J.E.D, M.V. Swain. Rheology of current and experimental bone cements. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 84-B; SUPP III, 2002, p 282.

• Higgs, RJED, Dawes-Higgs, E.K, Higgs, W.A.J. E-Medicine – Aitutaki to Sydney and back . Proceedings of the Combined NZOA/AOA Conference, Queenstown, New Zealand, October 7-12th, 2001.

• Higgs, W.A.J, Higgs, R.J.E.D, Higgs, J.M. Orthopaedic Receptionist Beware. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 84-B; SUPP III, 2002, p 285.

• Higgs RJED, Higgs WAJ. An Historical Clinical Perspective of Ceramic Hip Arthroplasty. Stryker Osteonics & Howmedica Meeting, Gold Coast, May 26th, 2001.

• Higgs RJED, Higgs WAJ. Wear, Breakage and other aspects of Ceramic on Ceramic Bearings. Stryker Osteonics & Howmedica Meeting, Gold Coast, May 26th, 2001.

• Higgs, W.A.J, Higgs, R.J.E.D, Higgs, J.M. Front Desk Beware. Australian Association of Practice Managers National Conference, 17-20 October, Brisbane, 2001.

Dissertations

• Higgs WAJ. Glass-Ionomer Cements for Orthopaedic Applications, University of Sydney. Fisher Rare Book Library, March 2001,  School of Aeronautical, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney.

• Higgs, WAJ. Design and Analysis of an Experimental Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis, Master of Engineering (Research), March 1998, Rare Book Library, School of Aeronautical, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney.

• Higgs, WAJ. Stress Analysis of the Prosthetic Glenoid, Master of Biomedical Engineering, 2000, School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of New South Wales.

• Higgs, WAJ. Design and Analysis of Three-Dimensional Composite Propeller Blades. Undergraduate thesis, School of Aeronautical, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney.