X-Tream: A Realtime X-ray Treatment Monitoring And Dosimetry System For Submillimetric Radiosurgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,544.00
Summary
We plan to develop a commercial prototype of a new clinical product called X-Tream, together with pre-clinical experimental and Monte Carlo data to demonstrate its performance in one potential clinical application involving an exciting and rapidly developing radiosurgery technique known as microbeam radiation therapy. We intend to show that the X-Tream system has the demonstrated ability to provide essential measurements with the necessary accuracy to allow for future clinical trials.
Development Of An Intra-Operative Tool For Tumour Margin Assessment During Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$599,472.00
Summary
The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a surgical probe that uses novel terahertz technology to guide surgical excision. As an example, approximately 3,000 breast cancer patients per year require a second surgical procedure because of tumour identified close to the edge of tissue removed during surgery. There is a clinical need for an accurate, real-time and non-destructive technique to assess tumour margins during surgery. This tool could also be used for any surgery that requir ....The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a surgical probe that uses novel terahertz technology to guide surgical excision. As an example, approximately 3,000 breast cancer patients per year require a second surgical procedure because of tumour identified close to the edge of tissue removed during surgery. There is a clinical need for an accurate, real-time and non-destructive technique to assess tumour margins during surgery. This tool could also be used for any surgery that requires preservation of normal tissue.Read moreRead less
We will create a new class of cancer radiotherapy system that solves the complex problem of how to target a tumour with precision and accuracy even as the patient’s anatomy changes during treatment. Our Nano-X system is built with real-time imaging guidance and treatment adaptation at the heart of the design process; and complex processing tasks have been moved from hardware to software, enabling radical changes to machine design. Together these innovations will ensure better treatment outcomes.
Superior Surgical Fixation Using A Novel Orthopaedic Expandable Fastener
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,076.00
Summary
Surgeons repair bone fractures using metal plates and screws. Sometimes the screws loosen and the surgery needs to be repeated. Expandable screws are stronger, but more difficult and sometimes impossible to remove. The research team will test a new type of screw that holds the bones together with greater strength (our current work shows 40% stronger) but can be removed easily if necessary. This grant will allow extensive mechanical testing in preparation for a first-in-human clinical trial.
Breathe Well: Improving Cancer Imaging And Targeted Radiotherapy Using Audiovisual Biofeedback
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$606,847.00
Summary
Irregular breathing causes anatomical errors in medical images and consequently cancer targeting accuracy, resulting in poorer clinical outcomes and increased health care costs. We have developed and patented the Breathe Well Audio Visual (AV) biofeedback device, to improve breathing regularity. Our goal is to gather critical scientific information and reach commercial proof-of-concept objectives that will allow us to attract investment to establish a viable medical device enterprise.
Biocompatible Synthetic Conduits To Treat Vascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,818.00
Summary
Clinically available synthetic conduits used in vascular repair and bypass are fundamentally incompatible with the vasculature. They cause inflammation at the site of implantation and increase the risk of blood clots forming. We have developed a unique method of binding bioactive protein layers to the surface of all polymeric materials and have shown a significant improvement in their compatibility. Grafts coated using our technology stand to dramatically improve the treatment of vascular diseas ....Clinically available synthetic conduits used in vascular repair and bypass are fundamentally incompatible with the vasculature. They cause inflammation at the site of implantation and increase the risk of blood clots forming. We have developed a unique method of binding bioactive protein layers to the surface of all polymeric materials and have shown a significant improvement in their compatibility. Grafts coated using our technology stand to dramatically improve the treatment of vascular disease.Read moreRead less
Development Of A New Surgical-guidance Tool For Intra-operative Tumour Margin Assessment In Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$557,982.00
Summary
One third of breast cancer patients undergoing breast conserving surgery have insufficient tissue removed, resulting in an increased risk of recurrence. We have developed a high resolution optical imaging probe with the potential to detect small areas of cancer. It could be used to help guide the surgeon to remove all cancerous tissue from the patient. This grant will allow us to develop the probe to a stage that it can be used during surgery, and perform the world’s first clinical scans.
Development Of Microscope-in-a-needle Devices For Improved Clinical Diagnostics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$327,746.00
Summary
We have developed a new high-resolution optical imaging technology. The unique aspect of our research has been to redesign the imaging probe, miniaturising it to a few hundred microns in diameter, and encase it in a hypodermic needle – a ‘microscope-in-a-needle’. We are developing specific imaging probes to aid in the assessment of lung disease; the diagnosis of liver disease; and integrated into a brain biopsy needle to enable safer brain biopsies.
Dengue Fever Vaccine: Towards Low Cost Production And Delivery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,039.00
Summary
With rising populations and a warming climate mosquito borne viral diseases will become more prevalent and low-cost vaccine production & delivery systems will become increasingly important. Here a microalgae based vaccine production platform will be coupled to proven Nanopatch & low cost oral vaccine delivery. The focus is on a Dengue virus vaccine, as Dengue causes 400 million infections & 100 million symptomatic cases annually.
Improving Oocyte Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number To Enhance Female Reproductive Capacity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$670,867.00
Summary
Eggs with too few copies of mitochondrial DNA either fail to fertilise or arrest during early development. By supplementing eggs with mitochondrial DNA, we have been able to enhance embryo quality and gene expression profiles. By breeding the offspring derived from eggs given mitochondrial supplementation, we will determine if they and their progeny meet normal developmental milestones, regulate the transmission of mitochondrial DNA appropriately, and are healthy and fertile.