Intelligent training (iTraining) for the human Achilles tendon. The project aims to improve understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon plays a crucial role in human motor function and is also a structure that is commonly injured and notoriously difficult to treat. A major barrier to improving Achilles tendon function, preventing tendon injury and enhancing tendon repair is a poor understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon durin ....Intelligent training (iTraining) for the human Achilles tendon. The project aims to improve understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon plays a crucial role in human motor function and is also a structure that is commonly injured and notoriously difficult to treat. A major barrier to improving Achilles tendon function, preventing tendon injury and enhancing tendon repair is a poor understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon during training and rehabilitation. The project aims to develop a better understanding of the loading conditions that optimise tendon metabolism. Based on this, it then intends to develop new technologies to estimate the mechanical behaviour of the human Achilles tendon in real time based on integrated use of wearable technology, and new training guidelines that will optimise human tendon adaptation.Read moreRead less
Creating a non-invasive window into the mind. This project aims to create better tools to study the human mind. This project expects to generate new knowledge that can be used to non-invasively image neuronal activity. Expected outcomes include the development of unique new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) instruments to study neuronal activity in both highly controlled laboratory conditions and in humans, with the spatial and temporal resolution needed to study the neuronal circuitry that drive ....Creating a non-invasive window into the mind. This project aims to create better tools to study the human mind. This project expects to generate new knowledge that can be used to non-invasively image neuronal activity. Expected outcomes include the development of unique new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) instruments to study neuronal activity in both highly controlled laboratory conditions and in humans, with the spatial and temporal resolution needed to study the neuronal circuitry that drives low and high-level brain functions, i.e., creating a window into the mind. In the future, outcomes from this study could improve our understanding of mental disorders, advance computer brain interface technology, and inspire the next paradigm shift in artificial intelligence.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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100241
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Seeing deeply inside the body with the world's smallest microscope. This project aims to develop the world's smallest in vivo microscope that can image the interior of living organisms at a subcellular resolution in a minimally invasive way. The project will shrink an entire microscope to the size of an optical fibre – as thin as a single strand of hair – and image deep regions of the central nervous system. This is expected to improve diagnostic tools and the knowledge of degenerative brain dis ....Seeing deeply inside the body with the world's smallest microscope. This project aims to develop the world's smallest in vivo microscope that can image the interior of living organisms at a subcellular resolution in a minimally invasive way. The project will shrink an entire microscope to the size of an optical fibre – as thin as a single strand of hair – and image deep regions of the central nervous system. This is expected to improve diagnostic tools and the knowledge of degenerative brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This project aims to completely transform the landscape of biomedical research and industry, with expected discoveries revolutionising the diagnosis and treatment of brain conditions.Read moreRead less
Design of an electronic guideline-driven decision support framework for home and community telehealth settings. With rapid advancements in the use of telecare-based health support in several emerging clinical areas, integrating these services within a stable guideline-driven decision support framework will support evidence-best practice in this setting, as well as improving efficiencies in clinical work practice and error minimisation through automation. The result could have a profound socio-ec ....Design of an electronic guideline-driven decision support framework for home and community telehealth settings. With rapid advancements in the use of telecare-based health support in several emerging clinical areas, integrating these services within a stable guideline-driven decision support framework will support evidence-best practice in this setting, as well as improving efficiencies in clinical work practice and error minimisation through automation. The result could have a profound socio-economic impact on the community and a sizable impact on healthcare outcomes; notwithstanding the substantial contribution it has to advancing the knowledge of medical decision support systems, supporting the national technology focus on health technology interoperability, and raising the profile of Australia as the foremost leader in the telecare area. Read moreRead less
How do mechanics, neural drive and muscle architecture interact in muscles? This project will determine how an individual person’s muscle activity, muscle structure and mechanical properties, and the local mechanical conditions around the muscle interact as muscles move and deform, by using experiments and personalised computational models that can examine these factors and their interactions concurrently. To achieve this, we will develop novel magnetic resonance imaging methods to measure the m ....How do mechanics, neural drive and muscle architecture interact in muscles? This project will determine how an individual person’s muscle activity, muscle structure and mechanical properties, and the local mechanical conditions around the muscle interact as muscles move and deform, by using experiments and personalised computational models that can examine these factors and their interactions concurrently. To achieve this, we will develop novel magnetic resonance imaging methods to measure the mechanical properties of muscles in humans and methods for modelling muscles. As well as answering fundamental scientific questions about muscle function, these new techniques will provide a platform for studying other muscles, and for future development of muscle training methods and technologies to optimise muscle function.Read moreRead less
Image processing techniques for artificial human vision systems. Blindness affects millions of people worldwide and over 100,000 Australians. Our project supports quality of life improvements for them by developing image processing techniques necessary for artificial human vision systems: "bionic eyes". Our approach will extract the most visually informative content in a scene,allowing low resolution images to be generated which optimise usage of the limited number of eletrodes available in prot ....Image processing techniques for artificial human vision systems. Blindness affects millions of people worldwide and over 100,000 Australians. Our project supports quality of life improvements for them by developing image processing techniques necessary for artificial human vision systems: "bionic eyes". Our approach will extract the most visually informative content in a scene,allowing low resolution images to be generated which optimise usage of the limited number of eletrodes available in prototype bionic eye implants. Psychophysical tests presenting such modified images to normally sighted participants will verify the effectiveness of this approach. The techniques developed will provide a real-time image processing toolkit for visual protheses, with significant commercial and social benefits including enhancement of Australilia's neuroprostheses industry profile.Read moreRead less
Advancing hybrid imaging with magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography (MRI-PET). This project aims to increase the utility, accessibility, cost-effectiveness and accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography (MRI-PET) hybrid imaging technology for brain tumour imaging. This project will develop new contrast agents, better ways of measuring their uptake including a new high sensitivity MRI-PET head coil and methods for predicting tumour progression us ....Advancing hybrid imaging with magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography (MRI-PET). This project aims to increase the utility, accessibility, cost-effectiveness and accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography (MRI-PET) hybrid imaging technology for brain tumour imaging. This project will develop new contrast agents, better ways of measuring their uptake including a new high sensitivity MRI-PET head coil and methods for predicting tumour progression using imaging information.Read moreRead less
Integrin Activation by Fluid Flow Disturbance: Mechanobiology Approaches. Understanding how cells can sense and respond to mechanical environment such as dynamic blood flow represents a fundamental question in the emerging field of mechanobiology. This project develops new biomechanical engineering approaches to determine the critical interrelationships among fluid flow disturbance, platelet clotting and the mechano-sensitive signal transduction mechanisms of integrin receptor – the most importa ....Integrin Activation by Fluid Flow Disturbance: Mechanobiology Approaches. Understanding how cells can sense and respond to mechanical environment such as dynamic blood flow represents a fundamental question in the emerging field of mechanobiology. This project develops new biomechanical engineering approaches to determine the critical interrelationships among fluid flow disturbance, platelet clotting and the mechano-sensitive signal transduction mechanisms of integrin receptor – the most important mechano-sensor implicated in cell adhesion, migration, growth and survival. Specifically, it integrates nationally unique cutting-edge techniques including single-molecule force probe, microparticle image velocimetry, microfluidics and molecular dynamics simulation, super resolution and 3D volumetric imaging modalities.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668506
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
A Multi-Axis Biomaterials Testing Facility. Damage to bones and joints, due to injury or diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis, is a major cause of disability and cost to the nation. Australia's ageing population contributes not only to an increasing incidence of such conditions, but also to more patients out-living implants such as replacement joints. In 2001-2, Australia spent over $800 million on joint replacement. Because over 11% of procedures are revisions of failed implants, even sm ....A Multi-Axis Biomaterials Testing Facility. Damage to bones and joints, due to injury or diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis, is a major cause of disability and cost to the nation. Australia's ageing population contributes not only to an increasing incidence of such conditions, but also to more patients out-living implants such as replacement joints. In 2001-2, Australia spent over $800 million on joint replacement. Because over 11% of procedures are revisions of failed implants, even small improvements in implant life represent significant cost savings. By accurately simulating conditions within the body, this biomechanical testing facility will lead to new developments in implant designs and materials, in turn improving quality of life, productivity and treatment costs.Read moreRead less