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
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
An Economical, Robust Alternative Braille Transcription Device. The Curtin University Brailler (CUB). Braille is an important language used by the blind to read and write and Braillers are needed for everyday communication. This justifies the development of a light weight, transportable unit that is accessible at all times. This project proposes a relatively inexpensive, light weight, reliable and easily maintained Braille transcription system. The significant aspects of the proposed brailler in ....An Economical, Robust Alternative Braille Transcription Device. The Curtin University Brailler (CUB). Braille is an important language used by the blind to read and write and Braillers are needed for everyday communication. This justifies the development of a light weight, transportable unit that is accessible at all times. This project proposes a relatively inexpensive, light weight, reliable and easily maintained Braille transcription system. The significant aspects of the proposed brailler include;
- An Electromagnetically compatable (EMC)12 Volt Power Supply allowing the common car battery as a backup power source.
- Use of modern plastics (PTFE) to reduce weight, maintenance and EMC standards.
- An embedded system for Forward and Back translation of literary Braille
- Protocol development and specification for USB keyboard and (standard) printer.Read moreRead less
Novel Early Warning System for Hypoglycaemia. An innovative technique will be developed for early detection of low blood glucose level (hypoglycaemia), a life-threatening complication affecting millions of people with Type 1 diabetes worldwide. Real-time analysis of the effectiveness of skin impedance, ECG (in particular heart rate and QT interval), and EEG (alpha wave) will be combined with robust adaptive neural networks to provide a novel theoretical and practical basis for developing a non-i ....Novel Early Warning System for Hypoglycaemia. An innovative technique will be developed for early detection of low blood glucose level (hypoglycaemia), a life-threatening complication affecting millions of people with Type 1 diabetes worldwide. Real-time analysis of the effectiveness of skin impedance, ECG (in particular heart rate and QT interval), and EEG (alpha wave) will be combined with robust adaptive neural networks to provide a novel theoretical and practical basis for developing a non-invasive hypoglycaemia monitor. This device has the potential to save lives, improve quality of life for people with diabetes and their carers, and put Australia at the forefront in this $US5 billion pa industry.Read moreRead less
Micromachined electrode arrays for improved performance and manufacturability of cochlear neuroprostheses. The cochlear implant for the deaf, and bionic eye for the blind are two devices where Australian researchers possess considerable expertise. Benefit can be had from collaborative research between these non-competing scientific fields. Microelectrodes is an area wherein overcoming the unique requirements of one field offers new opportunities in the other. We aim to enhance Australia's leader ....Micromachined electrode arrays for improved performance and manufacturability of cochlear neuroprostheses. The cochlear implant for the deaf, and bionic eye for the blind are two devices where Australian researchers possess considerable expertise. Benefit can be had from collaborative research between these non-competing scientific fields. Microelectrodes is an area wherein overcoming the unique requirements of one field offers new opportunities in the other. We aim to enhance Australia's leadership in cochlear implants by applying decade-long research on electrode fabrication techniques for the bionic eye into 3D shapes for the cochlea. Furthermore, we aim to further improve the effectiveness, safety and reliability of the cochlear implant while facilitating increased electrode numbers.Read moreRead less
A hands-free assistive control system for the severely disabled capable of operating under stressful and fatiguing conditions. The impact of severe disability like tetraplegia in daily living is substantial. Strategies are needed to improve their quality of life. One approach is to enhance their independence by providing 'hands free' control over their environment. However, few scientific studies have examined the efficacy of such technology. The aim of this research is to study the brain activi ....A hands-free assistive control system for the severely disabled capable of operating under stressful and fatiguing conditions. The impact of severe disability like tetraplegia in daily living is substantial. Strategies are needed to improve their quality of life. One approach is to enhance their independence by providing 'hands free' control over their environment. However, few scientific studies have examined the efficacy of such technology. The aim of this research is to study the brain activity of users of our "hands free" technology when they are operating under stressful and fatiguing conditions. The study should provide valuable data that will allow us to improve the efficacy of our existing brain signal based system (Mind Switch Assistive System). Read moreRead less
Maintaining bone strength in the elderly: the role of exercise and calcium fortified foods. There are currently no effective pharmacological agents for maintaining or increasing bone density during ageing available to older men with low bone strength. We aim to measure the effect on bone density and strength of older men who eat food products enhanced with calcium and vitamin D and undertake regular exercise. The results of this research will make an important contribution to knowledge about the ....Maintaining bone strength in the elderly: the role of exercise and calcium fortified foods. There are currently no effective pharmacological agents for maintaining or increasing bone density during ageing available to older men with low bone strength. We aim to measure the effect on bone density and strength of older men who eat food products enhanced with calcium and vitamin D and undertake regular exercise. The results of this research will make an important contribution to knowledge about the influence of diet and exercise on bone health. This research is also important for the food industry to ensure that the development of innovative food products is based on strong evidence.
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Access to mobile communications for older people with impairments. This research will determine the potential to use mobile communications to enable older people with impairments to remain active members of the community. it will test the capacity for mobiles to enable:
* older people with impairments to maintain social communication links and summon assistance; and
* caregivers to maintain contact with the older person during the day.
Providing these capabilities has the potential to improve ....Access to mobile communications for older people with impairments. This research will determine the potential to use mobile communications to enable older people with impairments to remain active members of the community. it will test the capacity for mobiles to enable:
* older people with impairments to maintain social communication links and summon assistance; and
* caregivers to maintain contact with the older person during the day.
Providing these capabilities has the potential to improve the wellbeing and confidence of older people with impairments and their caregivers and to reduce negative outcomes due to falls or other medical problems by enabling older people to summon assistance easily.Read moreRead less