Excelen’s rich and distinguished history began in the late 1970s. Today, as a private nonprofit and independent research and education organization in the orthopaedic community we are a resource and facility that supports a wide variety of projects and competencies. Excelen increases orthopaedic knowledge through research and publishing, and successfully translates product concepts into reality. Our staff has the knowledge and experience to rigorously design and conduct productive research and to expertly manage customers’ needs. We are accommodating, flexible, innovative, and—above all—solution oriented for the sake of orthopaedic patients.
1978
Renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Ramon Gustilo envisioned an orthopaedic biomechanics research laboratory that would improve outcomes for patients with orthopaedic challenges. Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) and Metropolitan Medical Center (MMC) provided space, basic lab equipment, and the salary for an orthopaedic research engineer (Wes Johnson). The first lab consisted of modest testing equipment in three rooms on the HCMC/MMC campus.
1980
Dr. Richard Kyle joined Dr. Gustilo following his biomechanics fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
1981
David Hoeltzel was hired as the second Director of the Biomechanics Laboratory. In the early years, the BIAS uncemented total hip system was developed with Zimmer, the Genesis I total knee system was developed with Smith & Nephew and Richards and the Kyle sliding hip screw was developed with Ace Medical. These innovative implant systems have been widely used in orthopaedics. Fellowship programs with Niigata University in Japan and with University of the Philippines began, each sending a surgeon each year to combine clinical experience with research training.
1989
The laboratory relocated into purpose-designed space, expanding to include separate spaces for greater mechanical testing capabilities, a machine shop, cadaver dissection/preparation area, medical graphics, a library and conference room, and offices.
Mid-1990s
The lab staff grew from two to ten scientists and technicians. Activities included basic and applied research focusing on joint replacement, trauma, and musculoskeletal sepsis. Extramural grant support from NIH, the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, the Arthritis Foundation and Whitaker Foundation was awarded to support our efforts.
1993
The Biomechanics Endowment Fund was reorganized into the Midwest Orthopaedic Research Foundation (MORF), an internally funded and directed foundation. MORF supported salaries of core lab staff, rent, some equipment and supplies, and other expenses not covered by external funding.
1997
The lab expanded again to over 7,000 square feet. Office space was added, as well as an enlarged mechanical testing area and fully equipped musculoskeletal sepsis and bone histology labs. Staff included five engineers, a machinist–designer–project manager, a bacteriologist/clinical trials coordinator, bone physiologist, experimental surgeon a medical illustrator, and an administrator. Part–time personnel include engineering graduate students and we continued fellowship programs with academic medical and engineering institutions in Japan, Denmark, and the Philippines.
2004
The Midwest Orthopaedic Research Foundation expanded again in 2004, taking over the activities of the Orthopaedic Learning Center from HCMC.
2006
$1 million in Orthopaedic Trauma Research Funding from the Department of Defense was awarded to Excelen researchers, through affiliations with the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation.
2008
To better capture the vision and scope of the entity, MORF’s name was changed to Excelen.
2009
Today Excelen occupies nearly 10,000 square feet. In addition to NIH and DoD, funding sources include nonprofit organizations (Orthopaedic Trauma Association, Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, Minnesota Mayo partnership). Partnerships and collaboration with other educational institutions nationally and internationally (including Denmark, Japan, University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic) enable and enhance our ability to successfully integrate critical multidisciplinary approaches to research.
