The Furlong Research Foundation is a Charity and an independent research foundation in the field of Orthopaedic Science. It was founded in 1989 by Orthopaedic Surgeon, Ronald Furlong FRCS, on three fundamental principles:

· Scientific research
· Clinical evaluation
· Dissemination of knowledge

In November 2005, the Foundation became a company limited by guarantee, the governing body being a Board of Directors.

Scientific Research

Ronald Furlong's belief in the importance of orthopaedic research came about as a result of his own research to produce a biomechanically designed hip prosthesis to be coated with a bioactive agent for long-lasting physiological fixation. The first HAC coated hip replacement prosthesis in the world was implanted by Mr Furlong in September 1985.

The Foundation now supports orthopaedic research into Hydroxyapatite and related subjects by funding research fellows at leading universities and hospitals.

The Foundation is represented on the Boards of both the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Division of Biomedical Engineering, and the Institute of Biomaterials, Division of Biomaterials.

Clinical evaluation commenced in 1985 and, at a symposium in London in 1995, Mr Furlong presented the histology of a nine-year explant. It proved convincingly and conclusively that a Hydroxyapatite Ceramic interface integrates itself with host bone. Clinical evaluation continues today.

Dissemination of knowledge is achieved through courses, conferences and symposia, the latest of which was held in September 2005 at The Royal College of Surgeons of England. More ...

Our Mission Statement is as follows:

· To fund high quality research in areas related to the musculo-skeletal system
· To investigate the performance of surgical procedures and devices
· To support research and development in novel biomaterials
· To publish and disseminate research data
· To organise symposia, workshops and courses
· To collaborate with centres of excellence in different research subjects

Board of Trustees

(left to right) Mr B Jones, Mrs H Houben, Dr H Houben, Mr D Martin, Mr A Andrews, Dame Beryl Grey, Mr R Vallings

Key people:
Minoo Esat, PhD (Lond)
Research Director

Minoo Esat obtained her PhD from University of London and later joined the Institute of Orthopaedics at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, where she was involved with cutting edge research in Spinal biomechanics and design of revision hip replacements.

She joined the Foundation from the British Standards Institution in December 2004, having held the position of orthopaedic implants technical expert.

Minoo has initiated extensive research and teaching programmes with many universities in the UK and Europe, and has been key in establishing working relationships between different professional bodies. Her research interest is in replacement materials for joint replacement. She is an active member of the Medical engineering board of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) as well as the Biomaterials Committee of the Institute of Materials (IOM3).

Arash Angadji, PhD (Lond)
Research Fellow

Arash joined the Foundation in January 2008. He completed his PhD in Medical Engineering from Queen Mary, University of London. The focus of his research project was on metal-on-metal hip replacements, a topic that has generated a lot of interest and debate in the recent years. Arash has presented research papers at various national and international conferences.

His research interests lies in tribology and orthopaedic implants and he is exploiting this as an Honorary Research Associate at the department of Mechanical Engineering at University College London.

Arash’s expertise in his area of research has contributed significantly to the research at the Foundation.

Miss Amy Ryan
PA to Dr Minoo Esat

Amy joined the company in the summer of 2007 having just returned from a year travelling around the world. This included spending four months living and working with elephants in Sri Lanka and two months working in a turtle rehabilitation clinic! Before this she was working as an Events Manager for the Conran Group. In addition to her role as Dr Esat’s PA, she plays a key role in administrative support for the many courses, exhibitions and speciality days which are run by the Foundation.

Scientific Advisory Committee

Scientific Advisory Committee The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) was set up in 2007. Most eminent members have been drawn from all aspects of orthopaedic research both in the UK and internationally. They have been carefully selected for their experience and expertise.

The committee meets three times a year to discuss the Foundation’s scientific aims, procedures and strategies.

Educational Advisory Committee

The role of the Educational Advisory Committee (EAC) founded in 2008 is to oversee and assist in the planning and organising of all the Foundation’s course themes, structure and content.

Representatives are eminent professionals within the field of orthopaedics who also have extensive educational experience.

The committee meets at varied intervals throughout the year to discuss forthcoming courses.