Novel Motion Correction Technologies for Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The recent development of the world's first prototype combined MR-PET scanner for human use has prompted immense interest. MR-PET is likely to revolutionize clinical diagnosis and basic research, by providing exquisite structural images co-registered with simultaneous functional PET images. We will exploit the as yet unexplored potential for motion information derived from the MR sy ....Novel Motion Correction Technologies for Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The recent development of the world's first prototype combined MR-PET scanner for human use has prompted immense interest. MR-PET is likely to revolutionize clinical diagnosis and basic research, by providing exquisite structural images co-registered with simultaneous functional PET images. We will exploit the as yet unexplored potential for motion information derived from the MR system to be used to correct the simultaneously acquired PET data for patient motion. This research is an excellent opportunity for Australian researchers to make important contributions to an emerging technology with high economic potential, and will strengthen Australia's international position in engineering and biomedical systems development.Read moreRead less
Development of microwave tomography techniques and inverse methods for biomedical imaging applications. Microwave tomography is a rapidly emerging imaging technology with highly significant applications in industry and medicine. In particular, given its sensitivity to differences between normal and malignant breast tissue, non-invasive microwave imaging has been the subject of intense research interest in the last ten years. In collaboration with workers at Chalmers University in Sweden, we wi ....Development of microwave tomography techniques and inverse methods for biomedical imaging applications. Microwave tomography is a rapidly emerging imaging technology with highly significant applications in industry and medicine. In particular, given its sensitivity to differences between normal and malignant breast tissue, non-invasive microwave imaging has been the subject of intense research interest in the last ten years. In collaboration with workers at Chalmers University in Sweden, we will develop and evaluate a scanning microwave imaging tomographic system with a number of potential industrial and biomedical applications. This appears to be a new Australian initiative.Read moreRead less
Development of Novel Two-dimensional Techniques for Magnetic Resonance In-vivo Spectroscopy. Body chemistry alters with functionality, pain, ageing and disease. These changes can be recorded by magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy (MRS) in vivo in a whole body MR scanner. When changes in chemistry can be recorded rapidly, and the individual species assigned, it will be possible to make a definitive diagnosis and in some cases allow the tailoring of treatment on an individual basis. This is curre ....Development of Novel Two-dimensional Techniques for Magnetic Resonance In-vivo Spectroscopy. Body chemistry alters with functionality, pain, ageing and disease. These changes can be recorded by magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy (MRS) in vivo in a whole body MR scanner. When changes in chemistry can be recorded rapidly, and the individual species assigned, it will be possible to make a definitive diagnosis and in some cases allow the tailoring of treatment on an individual basis. This is currently hampered by our inability to separate the composite resonances in a one dimensional MR spectrum. Research will allow two dimensional MRS to be implemented and provide detailed chemical information on human organs in vivo. Read moreRead less
Determination of lung morphology from X-ray phase contrast radiographs. Current methods of imaging the lung rely heavily on low contrast images obtained with chest radiography or computed tomography. This research will develop new X-ray phase contrast imaging techniques capable of providing a tenfold contrast increase over conventional chest radiography at a fraction of the X-ray dose of computed tomography. Methods of extracting quantitative information on lung morphology and pathology from pha ....Determination of lung morphology from X-ray phase contrast radiographs. Current methods of imaging the lung rely heavily on low contrast images obtained with chest radiography or computed tomography. This research will develop new X-ray phase contrast imaging techniques capable of providing a tenfold contrast increase over conventional chest radiography at a fraction of the X-ray dose of computed tomography. Methods of extracting quantitative information on lung morphology and pathology from phase contrast chest radiographs will be developed during this research. Eventual outcomes are likely to lead to improved methods of detecting lung disease and injury for both biomedical and clinical studies.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear Time Series Analysis in Cardiac Physiology. We will develop innovative mathematically-based diagnostics with potentially significant savings in mortality and quality of life for affected individuals and health care costs to the community.
Cardiac diseases kill more Australians than any other disease group. According to the National Heart Foundation the prevalence to heart conditions increased by 18% over the last decade.
Medical practitioners are in need of reliable diagnostic too ....Nonlinear Time Series Analysis in Cardiac Physiology. We will develop innovative mathematically-based diagnostics with potentially significant savings in mortality and quality of life for affected individuals and health care costs to the community.
Cardiac diseases kill more Australians than any other disease group. According to the National Heart Foundation the prevalence to heart conditions increased by 18% over the last decade.
Medical practitioners are in need of reliable diagnostic tools to decide whether a person in front of them is at high risk from developing sudden cardiac death, and whether they should be fitted with an implant that could save their life.Read moreRead less
Measurement and imaging of pathogenic and diagnostic iron oxide nanoparticles using proton magnetic resonance. This project is likely to result in new and improved technologies to aid in the management and diagnosis of a range of diseases including iron metabolism disorders such as thalassaemia and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Other aspects of the research may lead to technologies for the early detection of some cancers. The technologies will enhance Australia's intern ....Measurement and imaging of pathogenic and diagnostic iron oxide nanoparticles using proton magnetic resonance. This project is likely to result in new and improved technologies to aid in the management and diagnosis of a range of diseases including iron metabolism disorders such as thalassaemia and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Other aspects of the research may lead to technologies for the early detection of some cancers. The technologies will enhance Australia's international standing in the field of advanced medical imaging and have the potential to be commercialised within the Australian biotechnology sector. During the project, research students will receive high quality multidisciplinary training ensuring the supply of personnel with high-level technical expertise into the future.Read moreRead less
Rare isotopes as tracers of prosthesis debris. The incidence of knee replacement surgery in Australia is 30,000 per year. Limited by wear debris, the lifespan of knee implants is only 10-15 years and can be much shorter. Due to increasing life expectancy, many patients need several surgical procedures. As a multi-disciplinary team of materials-, isotope-tracing- and medical-experts, we aim to understand and monitor wear debris in prostheses. Knee replacement surgery alone imposes a high burden o ....Rare isotopes as tracers of prosthesis debris. The incidence of knee replacement surgery in Australia is 30,000 per year. Limited by wear debris, the lifespan of knee implants is only 10-15 years and can be much shorter. Due to increasing life expectancy, many patients need several surgical procedures. As a multi-disciplinary team of materials-, isotope-tracing- and medical-experts, we aim to understand and monitor wear debris in prostheses. Knee replacement surgery alone imposes a high burden of annually half a billion dollars on the Australian health budget. Controlling and reducing wear debris in prosthesis joints would reduce these costs and improve patients' quality of life.Read moreRead less
Investigation of three dimensional terahertz computed tomography for biomedical applications. Terahertz (T-ray) imaging is an exciting newly emerging technology that can perform safe, non-invasive, imaging and chemical sensing at the same time. This research aims to achieve an advance in terahertz imaging by using advanced methods that will enhance our ability to achieve accurate detection of diseased tissue in vivo. Socio-economic benefits to Australia include: (i) contributions to terahertz sy ....Investigation of three dimensional terahertz computed tomography for biomedical applications. Terahertz (T-ray) imaging is an exciting newly emerging technology that can perform safe, non-invasive, imaging and chemical sensing at the same time. This research aims to achieve an advance in terahertz imaging by using advanced methods that will enhance our ability to achieve accurate detection of diseased tissue in vivo. Socio-economic benefits to Australia include: (i) contributions to terahertz systems, enhancing Australia's reputation for cutting-edge research; (ii) international collaboration will be strengthened; (iii) results will potentially lead to commercialisation opportunities; (iv) the outcomes will ultimately impact on improving terahertz imaging in quality control, medical diagnosis, and detection for national security.Read moreRead less