Professor Robin Ling and Dr Clive Lee, the inventors of the ‘Exeter hip’, who have received honorary degrees from the University.
Hip hip hooray for graduation days
The University of Exeter has staged graduation ceremonies this week, with more than three thousand students celebrating from 21 to 27 July.
The influence of Exeter around the world is highlighted with the awarding of Honorary Degrees on Friday 24 July to Dr Clive Lee and Professor Robin Ling, the inventors of the ‘Exeter hip’.
First used in 1970, the Exeter hip revolutionised hip replacement operations with a ‘metal on plastic’ cemented hip and is now the most frequently used cemented hip replacement in the world, expected to clock up 1 million sales by the 40th anniversary next year. Approximately 90,000 hips are now sold each year – that’s the equivalent of the adult population of Exeter being given a new spring in their step every year.
The Exeter Hip Replacement was designed by Professor Robin Ling of the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre, Exeter, and Dr Clive Lee of the University of Exeter.
Dr Clive Lee says: “We were proud to name the hip after Exeter as so many people in the University and the hospital were instrumental in its development. We had significant technical and other support from the University’s former department of Engineering Science and we are honoured to receive honorary degrees. Still the biggest pleasure for me is when people who have had replacement hips come up to me and thank me for changing their lives.”
Date: 24 July 2009
