Biomechanical model-based algorithms for computational radiology of the brain. The proposed research will develop computational framework, which will allow matching high quality pre-operative brain images with lower resolution images taken during neurosurgery. The success of this work will greatly improve effectiveness of brain tumour removal, and therefore improve clinical outcomes. The proposed work will provide enabling technology for other areas of computer aided medicine, such as virtual re ....Biomechanical model-based algorithms for computational radiology of the brain. The proposed research will develop computational framework, which will allow matching high quality pre-operative brain images with lower resolution images taken during neurosurgery. The success of this work will greatly improve effectiveness of brain tumour removal, and therefore improve clinical outcomes. The proposed work will provide enabling technology for other areas of computer aided medicine, such as virtual reality operation planning systems with realistic force and tactile feedback, control systems of neurosurgical robots with tissue deformation prediction module, etc.Read moreRead less
Direct measurement of the kinetics of trans-femoral amputee gait during activities of daily living. This project involves the use of a novel technique to accurately measure the loads placed upon the lower limbs of above-knee amputees. Included in the subject group will be a number of amputees fitted with an artificial leg fitted directly into the bone. The ability to monitor a range of activities is possible by the use of a wireless telemetry system. The outcomes of this work will benefit ampute ....Direct measurement of the kinetics of trans-femoral amputee gait during activities of daily living. This project involves the use of a novel technique to accurately measure the loads placed upon the lower limbs of above-knee amputees. Included in the subject group will be a number of amputees fitted with an artificial leg fitted directly into the bone. The ability to monitor a range of activities is possible by the use of a wireless telemetry system. The outcomes of this work will benefit amputees around the world, as well as clinicians and companies who are dedicated to developing significant improvements in the functional abilities of subjects who have suffered amputation.Read moreRead less
A kinetic measuring system for assistive devices used in paediatric gait. Each year, a proportion of children are born who suffer from disabilities, which limits their ability to walk efficiently. Gait analysis can identify limiting factors in walking ability, and can assess the clinical outcome of treatments. Children who use assistive devices, such as walking frames, are denied the full benefits of gait analysis due to limitations in current equipment. This project addresses this need through ....A kinetic measuring system for assistive devices used in paediatric gait. Each year, a proportion of children are born who suffer from disabilities, which limits their ability to walk efficiently. Gait analysis can identify limiting factors in walking ability, and can assess the clinical outcome of treatments. Children who use assistive devices, such as walking frames, are denied the full benefits of gait analysis due to limitations in current equipment. This project addresses this need through the development of a portable, load-measuring instrument. When integrated with existing equipment, a comprehensive description of assisted walking gait will be possible. This will lead to greater understanding and improved treatment outcomes for such children.Read moreRead less
Hybrid Sensor-based Physiological Control of an Implantable Rotary Blood Pump. With over 11 million people needing heart transplants worldwide and only 3000 donor hearts, an effective alternative therapy is needed. The Ventracor Ltd. rotary blood pump is one possible approach whereby a fully implantable mechanical device assists the failing heart. The innovative steps in this research proposal will be a means to robustly and safely control the speed of the pump to meet the metabolic needs of the ....Hybrid Sensor-based Physiological Control of an Implantable Rotary Blood Pump. With over 11 million people needing heart transplants worldwide and only 3000 donor hearts, an effective alternative therapy is needed. The Ventracor Ltd. rotary blood pump is one possible approach whereby a fully implantable mechanical device assists the failing heart. The innovative steps in this research proposal will be a means to robustly and safely control the speed of the pump to meet the metabolic needs of the body. Apart from the obvious health benefits for patients, this will provide the company with a huge market advantage that will also help to bolster the Australian medical device industry.Read moreRead less
Topography Optimisation of Implants for Enhancing Osseointegration. With recent increased life expectancy, the ratio of implant recipients to total population has dramatically increased. The project will address a critical issue in ensuring long-term success of prosthetic treatment. The proposed computational multiscale modelling will provide a sound scientific alternative means to optimisation of overall implant design including surface topography. The anticipated outcomes of this research will ....Topography Optimisation of Implants for Enhancing Osseointegration. With recent increased life expectancy, the ratio of implant recipients to total population has dramatically increased. The project will address a critical issue in ensuring long-term success of prosthetic treatment. The proposed computational multiscale modelling will provide a sound scientific alternative means to optimisation of overall implant design including surface topography. The anticipated outcomes of this research will help improve the quality of prosthetic therapy, and benefit our prosthodontic and orthopaedic professionals and their patients. The study clearly aligns with the national research goals of frontier technologies and maintaining good health.Read moreRead less
Innovative approach to design a new osseointegrated implant for transfemoral amputees with better resistance to fractures. Transfemoral amputees fitted with an osseointegrated implant are experiencing numerous valuable benefits compare to their previous method conventional attachment. However, 40% of them present an early loosening of the implant or ruptures of the abutment. These problems are related to the load regime acting on the fixation system during post-operative rehabilitation and daily ....Innovative approach to design a new osseointegrated implant for transfemoral amputees with better resistance to fractures. Transfemoral amputees fitted with an osseointegrated implant are experiencing numerous valuable benefits compare to their previous method conventional attachment. However, 40% of them present an early loosening of the implant or ruptures of the abutment. These problems are related to the load regime acting on the fixation system during post-operative rehabilitation and daily life activities. In this project, the direct measurement of the actual load applied on the abutment during:
· the load bearing exercises is essential to refine the post- operative rehabilitation program.
· every-day activities is crucial to improve the design and
testing of the implants and abutments.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668541
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$260,000.00
Summary
Infrastructure for design and testing of implantable and non-invasive intelligent medical devices. This application requests infrastructure funding to ensure the capability of the UTS and UNSW biomedical engineering teams to develop tomorrow's biomedical devices. It will enable research in the field of intelligent medical devices, either non-invasive devices (diabetes monitoring, brain-computer interfaces, home telecare) or those which are fully implanted (heart pumps, bionic eyes). Such biomedi ....Infrastructure for design and testing of implantable and non-invasive intelligent medical devices. This application requests infrastructure funding to ensure the capability of the UTS and UNSW biomedical engineering teams to develop tomorrow's biomedical devices. It will enable research in the field of intelligent medical devices, either non-invasive devices (diabetes monitoring, brain-computer interfaces, home telecare) or those which are fully implanted (heart pumps, bionic eyes). Such biomedical devices will save lives and improve the quality of life of many people. The commercial benefit to Australia flows from the international export of such devices. Based on this approach there will be substantial savings in health care costs, with patients able to resume a better quality of life at home, rather than in institutional care.Read moreRead less
Towards Consistent Meshless Computational Framework for Soft Tissue Damage Modelling for Traumatic Injury Prevention and Surgery Simulation. Deaths and injuries due to car crashes cost our society $18 billion per annum. This project will provide enabling computer simulation technology for reducing this cost by improving car crash safety through more accurate evaluation of injury risk as well as by reducing the risk of adverse effects in surgical procedures through better surgical training and su ....Towards Consistent Meshless Computational Framework for Soft Tissue Damage Modelling for Traumatic Injury Prevention and Surgery Simulation. Deaths and injuries due to car crashes cost our society $18 billion per annum. This project will provide enabling computer simulation technology for reducing this cost by improving car crash safety through more accurate evaluation of injury risk as well as by reducing the risk of adverse effects in surgical procedures through better surgical training and surgery planning. We will deliver this technology by creating a computational framework for modelling of soft tissue damage due to traumatic rupture and surgical dissection. This framework will enable building accurate computer models of the human body injury responses for safe car design as well as models for assisting surgeons by predicting forces and deformations in tissue dissection.Read moreRead less
Design and Development of a Low-Cost Portable Biofeedback Device for use in Sleep Induction and Relaxation. This project aims to expand on existing knowledge of the various stimuli used in sleep induction such as photic, auditory and weak electromagnetic stimulation and develop a low-cost portable biofeedback prototype. This novel device will be based on adaptive or fuzzy reasoning algorithms, which would be integrated into the existing ambulatory Siesta EEG recording system, produced by Compume ....Design and Development of a Low-Cost Portable Biofeedback Device for use in Sleep Induction and Relaxation. This project aims to expand on existing knowledge of the various stimuli used in sleep induction such as photic, auditory and weak electromagnetic stimulation and develop a low-cost portable biofeedback prototype. This novel device will be based on adaptive or fuzzy reasoning algorithms, which would be integrated into the existing ambulatory Siesta EEG recording system, produced by Compumedics Ltd. The development of this novel real-time biofeedback prototype will encourage further research using this particular technology to apply it in preventative healthcare in Australian community. The outcome of this proposed bioinstrumentation prototype could possibly expand sleep market to new international level.Read moreRead less
Biomechanics of Needle Insertion. Needle insertion is one of the most common neurosurgical procedures. However, the biomechanics of this process is poorly understood. The unknown factors include brain tissue deformation under load imposed by the needle and needle deflection when penetrating brain tissue. We will develop computational models of needle insertion. They will include non-linear material properties of the brain tissue, large deformations, and needle-tissue contact model including fric ....Biomechanics of Needle Insertion. Needle insertion is one of the most common neurosurgical procedures. However, the biomechanics of this process is poorly understood. The unknown factors include brain tissue deformation under load imposed by the needle and needle deflection when penetrating brain tissue. We will develop computational models of needle insertion. They will include non-linear material properties of the brain tissue, large deformations, and needle-tissue contact model including friction. The Japanese group will develop testing methods to validate mathematical models. Experimental set-up includes bi-axial x-ray to measure deformation within the tissue and needle deflection, and a sensor measuring reaction force on needle tip and friction force on needle sides.Read moreRead less