Hybrid radiofrequency/optical catheter for effective atrial fibrillation ablation. This research project aims to advance engineering knowledge by applying an innovative, fibre-optics-based discrete optical coherence tomography to technology used for atrial fibrillation catheter ablation. RadioFrequency catheter-based ablation is far superior to cardiac drug therapy for atrial fibrillation patients. RadioFrequency catheters are not equipped with real-time lesion formation monitoring means, which ....Hybrid radiofrequency/optical catheter for effective atrial fibrillation ablation. This research project aims to advance engineering knowledge by applying an innovative, fibre-optics-based discrete optical coherence tomography to technology used for atrial fibrillation catheter ablation. RadioFrequency catheter-based ablation is far superior to cardiac drug therapy for atrial fibrillation patients. RadioFrequency catheters are not equipped with real-time lesion formation monitoring means, which enable the assessment of continuity-transmurality and prevent extra-cardiac complications, such as steam pops. Optical Coherece Tomography enables non-invasive, microscopic lesion formation assessment in real time during atrial fibrillation ablation procedures. The expected outcomes of this project are to develop a new hybrid fibre-optic/RadioFrequency catheter system and user-friendly driving software that will enable cardiac electrophysiologists to perform three key tasks not previously available.Read moreRead less
New Materials for an Implantable Blood Pump. Rotary blood pumps are at the leading edge of heart assist technology. VentrAssist has developed an innovative rotary blood pump with a hydro-dynamically suspended impeller. Advanced surface modifications will enable the device to be fabricated from polymers; this will make the device light, more compatible with the human body and less costly to produce. Surface treatments and coatings will be applied using ion implantation, to impart the required ....New Materials for an Implantable Blood Pump. Rotary blood pumps are at the leading edge of heart assist technology. VentrAssist has developed an innovative rotary blood pump with a hydro-dynamically suspended impeller. Advanced surface modifications will enable the device to be fabricated from polymers; this will make the device light, more compatible with the human body and less costly to produce. Surface treatments and coatings will be applied using ion implantation, to impart the required dimensional stability, impermeability and wear resistance. Following sophisticated experiments of modified materials, the best candidates will be used in prototype devices, for final selection of the optimal materials for the new device.Read moreRead less
Novel computational tools for the analysis of sympathetic nervous system activity. This project will investigate electrical signals from the heart, resulting in novel tools for the assessment of sympathetic nervous system activity. The findings will contribute to advancing Australia's international leading position in health technology and improve community health.
Noval design of a Bi-Ventricular Assist Device (BVAD) Centrifugal Heart Pump as an Implantable Total Artificial Heart. In Australia, 40%(50,797) of all deaths each year are related to heart disease and accounted for 12% (A$4Billion) of total recurrent health expenditure. This innovative research aims at developing a single biventricular assist device (BVAD) driven by a magnetically suspended double-sided centrifugal pump impeller. Current techniques require two implantable devices, thus preventi ....Noval design of a Bi-Ventricular Assist Device (BVAD) Centrifugal Heart Pump as an Implantable Total Artificial Heart. In Australia, 40%(50,797) of all deaths each year are related to heart disease and accounted for 12% (A$4Billion) of total recurrent health expenditure. This innovative research aims at developing a single biventricular assist device (BVAD) driven by a magnetically suspended double-sided centrifugal pump impeller. Current techniques require two implantable devices, thus preventing smaller patients from access to BVAD technology. The expected outcomes will be a significantly small and compact device and provide an alternative to open-heart transplantation, thus helping to alleviate the demand on donor hearts, as well as the strain on the Australian Heath Care System caused by cardiovascular disease.Read moreRead less
New techniques to detect fetal heart abnormalities. Australia’s national fetal death rate is 6.7 per one thousand births. In Australia’s Indigenous community it surges to 12.3 deaths per one thousand births. Early diagnosis (and management) of abnormal fetu.ses with cardiac defects will go a long way in reducing these numbers. The proposed technology will help set up easy-to-use systems for fetal cardiac abnormality screening and reduce fetal deaths and congenital heart disease burden in adult l ....New techniques to detect fetal heart abnormalities. Australia’s national fetal death rate is 6.7 per one thousand births. In Australia’s Indigenous community it surges to 12.3 deaths per one thousand births. Early diagnosis (and management) of abnormal fetu.ses with cardiac defects will go a long way in reducing these numbers. The proposed technology will help set up easy-to-use systems for fetal cardiac abnormality screening and reduce fetal deaths and congenital heart disease burden in adult life. This project will also provide domain trained researchers with cutting edge international academic and industry expertise.Read moreRead less