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
Non-invasive control of an implantable rotary blood pump used as a left ventricular assist device. The Holy Grail for developers of rotary blood pumps used as left ventricular assist devices is to control the pump to meet the body's metabolic demand and to do this without the need for implanting additional sensors. The controller must also detect and avoid dangerous states associated with over and under pumping.
In this research we will derive and implement a pump control algorithm that will ....Non-invasive control of an implantable rotary blood pump used as a left ventricular assist device. The Holy Grail for developers of rotary blood pumps used as left ventricular assist devices is to control the pump to meet the body's metabolic demand and to do this without the need for implanting additional sensors. The controller must also detect and avoid dangerous states associated with over and under pumping.
In this research we will derive and implement a pump control algorithm that will allow non-invasive prediction of pump flow, automatic detection of pumping states and adjustments for the metabolic demand of the body. The algorithms will be tested on the bench and in animal and human studies.Read moreRead less
Understanding glycopolymer interactions with the extracellular matrix. This project aims to advance knowledge of the biochemical and biophysical structure of the endothelial glycocalyx, a dynamic cell surface extracellular matrix rich in proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans. It will be the first to explore how charged glycopolymers interact with this dynamic interface with the goal to develop a model of the glycocalyx lifecycle. This project is expected to enable the transfer of skills, knowledg ....Understanding glycopolymer interactions with the extracellular matrix. This project aims to advance knowledge of the biochemical and biophysical structure of the endothelial glycocalyx, a dynamic cell surface extracellular matrix rich in proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans. It will be the first to explore how charged glycopolymers interact with this dynamic interface with the goal to develop a model of the glycocalyx lifecycle. This project is expected to enable the transfer of skills, knowledge and ideas as well as advanced research and industrial training for young scientists. Knowledge derived from this project is expected to enable future innovation in molecules with tailored interactions with the glycocalyx with significant benefits for researchers, manufacturers and end users. Read moreRead less
Miniature lithium ion battery for implantable medical device applications. This project addresses National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technologies and promoting and maintaining good health. Substantial national benefit could be derived from this project: (i) Australia will innovate in an important and intensely active area in which the results will have long-lasting significance in implantable rechargeable battery development; (ii)The development of new sc ....Miniature lithium ion battery for implantable medical device applications. This project addresses National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technologies and promoting and maintaining good health. Substantial national benefit could be derived from this project: (i) Australia will innovate in an important and intensely active area in which the results will have long-lasting significance in implantable rechargeable battery development; (ii)The development of new scientific knowledge related to this project will place Australia at the forefront of an emerging domain of research body batteries; (iii) In the long term, the successful outcome of this research will lead to more reliable batteries for implantable devices, thereby promoting health care.Read moreRead less
Optimising haemodynamics in complex stented arteries. This project aims to optimise the hemodynamics (blood flow) in coronary arteries with high curvatures and bifurcations. Experience has shown that the build-up of plaque — and the resulting occlusion of blood flow — tends to occur in these complex arterial regions. The most common therapeutic strategy is the insertion of a stent to prop open the artery. However, the nature of the geometry often leads to post-stenting complications such as rest ....Optimising haemodynamics in complex stented arteries. This project aims to optimise the hemodynamics (blood flow) in coronary arteries with high curvatures and bifurcations. Experience has shown that the build-up of plaque — and the resulting occlusion of blood flow — tends to occur in these complex arterial regions. The most common therapeutic strategy is the insertion of a stent to prop open the artery. However, the nature of the geometry often leads to post-stenting complications such as restenosis and thrombosis, ultimately resulting in negative outcomes. In this project, advanced research methods from fluid dynamics and optimisation and control will be used to potentially minimise these highly undesirable effects.Read moreRead less
A randomised controlled trial of motivational interviewing as a tool to enhance secondary prevention strategies in cardiovascular disease. While there is increasing evidence for the efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in reducing mortality and morbidity, adherence to risk factor modification strategies are problematic for many CR patients. This project will evaluate in a randomised controlled trial the benefit of motivational interviewing (MI) in enhancing secondary prevention strategies in ....A randomised controlled trial of motivational interviewing as a tool to enhance secondary prevention strategies in cardiovascular disease. While there is increasing evidence for the efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in reducing mortality and morbidity, adherence to risk factor modification strategies are problematic for many CR patients. This project will evaluate in a randomised controlled trial the benefit of motivational interviewing (MI) in enhancing secondary prevention strategies in CR patients. Given the role of self-efficacy in predicting adherence, MI needs to be evaluated in CR. This study is significant in terms of preventative health, and its potential to improve the design and delivery of CR programs and increase patient adherence. Expected outcomes include increased adherence to cardiovascular risk modification and improved psychological well-being.Read moreRead less
Hermetic bonding of biomedical polymers for cardiac-assist devices. The use of a polymeric ventricular assist device will bring a much better quality of life to patients with end-stage heart failure. The project will address the remaining challenge, the creation of a hermetic polymer seal, enabling the development of a small, light and highly efficient heart pump. The project has the potential to improve the lives of many Australians as our demographic profile shifts towards older people. Patie ....Hermetic bonding of biomedical polymers for cardiac-assist devices. The use of a polymeric ventricular assist device will bring a much better quality of life to patients with end-stage heart failure. The project will address the remaining challenge, the creation of a hermetic polymer seal, enabling the development of a small, light and highly efficient heart pump. The project has the potential to improve the lives of many Australians as our demographic profile shifts towards older people. Patients with advanced heart failure will live longer, with a higher quality of life. It will assist heart failure sufferers to remain productive members of our community, because many people who use the device will be fit to return to work.Read moreRead less
Blood pressure control by neural activation: underlying mechanisms of electric field stimulation and photostimulation of genetically targeted neurones. This project aims to understand how nerve stimulation can be used to treat drug-resistant high blood pressure. The project will lead to new benchmarks for interfacing novel technology with the nervous system and to development and enhancement of commercial devices similar to a cardiac pacemaker for patients with limited treatment options and poor ....Blood pressure control by neural activation: underlying mechanisms of electric field stimulation and photostimulation of genetically targeted neurones. This project aims to understand how nerve stimulation can be used to treat drug-resistant high blood pressure. The project will lead to new benchmarks for interfacing novel technology with the nervous system and to development and enhancement of commercial devices similar to a cardiac pacemaker for patients with limited treatment options and poor prognosis.Read moreRead less
Analysis of non-invasive central aortic pressure using a Web-based international database. Blood pressure is measured conventionally with a cuff around the upper arm. A marked difference exists between pressure at the heart (central aorta) and that in the arm. Technology developed by the industrial partner allows non-invasive measurement of aortic pressure, a value relevant for many forms of heart conditions. We will develop a web-based system and software protocols to provide a facility for epi ....Analysis of non-invasive central aortic pressure using a Web-based international database. Blood pressure is measured conventionally with a cuff around the upper arm. A marked difference exists between pressure at the heart (central aorta) and that in the arm. Technology developed by the industrial partner allows non-invasive measurement of aortic pressure, a value relevant for many forms of heart conditions. We will develop a web-based system and software protocols to provide a facility for epidemiological analysis of aortic pressure. This facility will provide, for the first time in the history of epidemiology of blood pressure in humans, the means to relate normal and abnormal aging changes to pressure at the heart.Read moreRead less
Development of a multivariate physiologic state space analysis framework for characterising functional properties of the cardiovascular system. Pathologies of the cardiovascular system arising from heart diseases make a major contribution to morbidity and mortality in the Australian community. This project will provide new diagnostic modalities based on advanced noninvasive bioinstrumentation, signal processing and model-based analytical methods to identify early signs of developing disease or t ....Development of a multivariate physiologic state space analysis framework for characterising functional properties of the cardiovascular system. Pathologies of the cardiovascular system arising from heart diseases make a major contribution to morbidity and mortality in the Australian community. This project will provide new diagnostic modalities based on advanced noninvasive bioinstrumentation, signal processing and model-based analytical methods to identify early signs of developing disease or the acute exacerbation of existing disease. The impact of these new technologies on the early diagnosis and improved triaging of patients in emergency departments is potentially profound and could result in improved healthcare outcomes for the patients and reduced admissions to hospital as well as the development of a substantial international market.Read moreRead less