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
Novel manufacturing methods for tissue engineering scaffolds. Novel methods of manufacturing biodegradable polymer scaffolds around which new tissue can be grown within the human body will be developed. Surfactant - polymer assemblies will be used to produce highly porous scaffolds of tunable pore size and connectivity, shape and strength. The results will create a new avenue for systematic investigations into the effects of scaffold structure on tissue growth. This research will lead to the dev ....Novel manufacturing methods for tissue engineering scaffolds. Novel methods of manufacturing biodegradable polymer scaffolds around which new tissue can be grown within the human body will be developed. Surfactant - polymer assemblies will be used to produce highly porous scaffolds of tunable pore size and connectivity, shape and strength. The results will create a new avenue for systematic investigations into the effects of scaffold structure on tissue growth. This research will lead to the development of reliable, well-controlled manufacturing techniques for tissue engineering scaffolds, revolutionising current scaffold manufacturing practices. It will enhance existing collaborations between the University of Melbourne and the Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery.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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Modelling of neural plasticity for enhanced performance of brain-machine interfaces. Plasticity of the brain is one of the great scientific challenges of neuroscience. The aim of this project is to model the synaptic changes that occur with reward-modulated spike-timing-dependent plasticity and apply the model to developing plasticity targeted brain-machine interfaces. The significance of this approach is that such plasticity targeted techniques provide the prospect of taking advantage of the un ....Modelling of neural plasticity for enhanced performance of brain-machine interfaces. Plasticity of the brain is one of the great scientific challenges of neuroscience. The aim of this project is to model the synaptic changes that occur with reward-modulated spike-timing-dependent plasticity and apply the model to developing plasticity targeted brain-machine interfaces. The significance of this approach is that such plasticity targeted techniques provide the prospect of taking advantage of the underlying neural plasticity to optimise the form of the neural recording and electrical stimulation. The outcomes will be to greatly improve the performance of brain-machine interface in terms of measures such as the number and sensitivity of channels, as well as robustness and reliability.Read moreRead less
Optimised distributed stimulation of muscle. The project aims to extend to humans, a method of producing a non-fatiguing, smooth, submaximal muscle contraction. The method using multiple electrodes, stimulated at different times, with those times being adjusted for optimum smoothness at low stimulation rates. This will enable the gathering of information about the mechanics of muscle undergoing near physiological contractions, which will be of interest to researchers in Biomechanics. It will ....Optimised distributed stimulation of muscle. The project aims to extend to humans, a method of producing a non-fatiguing, smooth, submaximal muscle contraction. The method using multiple electrodes, stimulated at different times, with those times being adjusted for optimum smoothness at low stimulation rates. This will enable the gathering of information about the mechanics of muscle undergoing near physiological contractions, which will be of interest to researchers in Biomechanics. It will also be a step towards the restoration of function to spinal cord injured patients.Read moreRead less