Novel Silver Nanoparticle Coatings For The Prevention Of Infection Of Biomedical Implants And Devices
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,305.00
Summary
This project targets infections associated with implants and biomedical devices such as catheters, pacemaker leads, knee and hip implants, by the development and evaluation of coatings delivering antibacterial silver ions. The novel coating method is more uniform and reproducible and can be applied to a wide range of biomedical implants and devices. The novel coatings will be tested for antimicrobial effectiveness and safety using cell and tissue culture methods and animal clinical studies.
A Novel Treatment For Ameliorating Retinal Vascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$366,685.00
Summary
Retinal vascular disease is a leading cause of blindness and is currently treated by laser photocoagulation surgery. Although successful, this treatment is associated with serious side effects. Recently, Ellex Pty has developed a novel laser called the 2RT laser that is likely to be effective without the accompanying side effects. This study will allow examine the effect of the 2RT laser in animal models of retinal vascular disease so as to complete preclinical development of this laser.
Development Of New Anti-fibrotic Drugs For Prevention Of Diabetic Nephropathy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,800.00
Summary
Diabetic kidney disease is the leading cause of kidney failure in the developed world. Currently there is no treatment that reduces the excessive scarring that leads to kidney failure. This project aims to test whether a series of novel compounds that have been specifically designed to reduce scarring can prevent diabetic kidney disease.
A Single Digital Handheld Imaging Device For Use In Both Ophthalmology And Dentistry
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,221.00
Summary
Our aim is to produce and validate a single digital imaging device which can be used in ophthalmology (both for retinal and anterior segment imaging) and dentistry. This device will be low-cost, easy-to-operate and portable. Our planned development of the novel screening tool should help in bringing high quality, lower cost health care to those without easy access to it, firstly to residents of rural areas in Australia and then in developing countries in our region. This can be achieved by more ....Our aim is to produce and validate a single digital imaging device which can be used in ophthalmology (both for retinal and anterior segment imaging) and dentistry. This device will be low-cost, easy-to-operate and portable. Our planned development of the novel screening tool should help in bringing high quality, lower cost health care to those without easy access to it, firstly to residents of rural areas in Australia and then in developing countries in our region. This can be achieved by more efficient screening methods and redirecting resources to target those with treatable eye disease only. The detection process can be progressively transferred to less expensive health workers while ophthalmologist input can be redirected to monitoring the screening results and performing surgery. The dentists travel infrequently to rural and remote WA. If the dentist can pre plan their treatment then it will be more efficient and possible to treat more people at each visit to remote and rural WA. With the help of the proposed imaging device for dentistry, the nurses and other allied personnel should be able to send the digital images in advance to dentist over Internet and therefore help dentist pre-plan their treatment. As a result, improved dental care for rural, remote and underserved communities will occur.Read moreRead less
Acoustic Blood Pressure Measurement On Implanted Biomedical Surfaces
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$184,687.00
Summary
Measurement of local blood pressure in is of great clinical importance. An application of particular interest is the pressure measurement in and around endoluminal stents grafts, which are used for the treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs). These grafts are implanted by keyhole surgery and are used to reduce the pressure on the aneurysm walls so that the artery can revert to its more anatomically correct shape on a timescale of one to two years. If the seal between the graft and the art ....Measurement of local blood pressure in is of great clinical importance. An application of particular interest is the pressure measurement in and around endoluminal stents grafts, which are used for the treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs). These grafts are implanted by keyhole surgery and are used to reduce the pressure on the aneurysm walls so that the artery can revert to its more anatomically correct shape on a timescale of one to two years. If the seal between the graft and the artery wall is not blood tight, then the aneurysm can become repressurised and may keep on expanding. Over time, an untreated, expanding AAA is likely to rupture with severe consequences for the patient. Thus a convenient, non-invasive means of measuring the pressure within the aneurysm and within the graft is highly desirable. In this proposal, we seek to produce a device that can be incorporated into the walls of the endoluminal graft, which can measure absolute pressure inside and outside the graft and where the pressure measurements can be obtained via standard acoustic or medical ultrasound equipment. To do this, we would use specially designed 'bubbles' which can be incorporated onto either side of the graft walls, where the resonant frequency of the bubbles provides a direct measurement of the pressure around the bubbles. Trials at the CSIRO have found that pressures can be measured to a resolution of better than 10 mmHg by using this technique on air bubbles in water. In this proposal, we wish to develop flexible, but semi-permanent bubbles that can be incorporated onto a biomedical implant surface. If such bubbles can be made, the researchers will use CSIRO-developed software and acoustic equipment such that local blood pressure can be measured in real time.Read moreRead less
We will conduct a clinical trial of the effectiveness of a continuous auditory display of an anesthetized patient's respiratory status. Expired carbon dioxide monitoring has helped reduce respiratory incidents since its widespread introduction in the late 1980s, but a continuous auditory display of respiratory status may reduce incidents further. We will conduct a clinical trial with 10 anaesthetists of continuous auditory respiratory monitoring. Successful outcome may lead to commercial uptake.
A New Non-invasive Diagnostic Technique Based On Detection Of Exhaled Respiratory Pathogens.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$179,300.00
Summary
We developed a special collection mask and showed that the breath of people with colds or flu contains a tiny amount of virus. Currently, diagnostic samples are collected by putting a tube into the airways - this is very uncomfortable. Our masks may provide a new and more comfortable way to diagnose lung infections. We want to build better masks and ways to detect viruses and bacteria to test out this method. This may create a new test that will improve diagnosis and treatment.
Development Of A Smart Arthroscopy System And Prototype Probe For Joint Tissues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$230,632.00
Summary
This project relates to the ever growing use of arthroscopy in the management of joint defects. An innovative probe that will combine all the molecular, microstructural and biomechanical characteristics of joint articular cartialge and bone for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, treatment-related decisions, comparison of the effectiveness of treament methods and post treatment evaluation will be developed. This system will produce spin-offs for artrhoscopy of other soft tissues and bodies.
Development Of A PET Detection System Prototype With Depth Of Interaction Capability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,906.00
Summary
This development project invovles the development of a slim-line Positron Emission Tomogrphy (PET) detection sub-module, the crucial component of PET scanners, that is small and extremely flexible. It is planned to utilize this module in the design of customized new commercial PET scanners ideal for diagnosing human brain and breast disorders. The development will proceed in collaboration with Insight Oceania-ADAC, Sydney. Insight Oceania-ADAC are very excited by the potential applications and f ....This development project invovles the development of a slim-line Positron Emission Tomogrphy (PET) detection sub-module, the crucial component of PET scanners, that is small and extremely flexible. It is planned to utilize this module in the design of customized new commercial PET scanners ideal for diagnosing human brain and breast disorders. The development will proceed in collaboration with Insight Oceania-ADAC, Sydney. Insight Oceania-ADAC are very excited by the potential applications and future markets (Australia and overseas) of the newly developing PET detection sub-modules for dedicated PET scanners. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a functional imaging tool, which is able to quantify physiological and biochemical processes in vivo, using short-lived cyclotron-produced radiotracers. PET is emerging as an extremely important diagnostic procedure used in the early detection of cancers, neurological diseases and as an aid in treatment monitoring and drug development. The unique advantage of PET over anatomical imaging techniques, such as X-ray CT and MRI, arises from its ability to measure changes in tumour biology, at the molecular level, prior to anatomical changes in involved tissues, using trace amounts of a radiolabelled compound (radiotracer). The full potential of PET however, is not being completely utilized due to constraints within the current designs of PET scanners. When used to its full potential PET, in principle, would be an excellent diagnostic and treatment monitoring tool for breast cancer, brain tumours and other neurological conditions such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, post stress disorder, dementia, and depression. Lack of flexibility in current PET scanner designs to date has meant that no commercial human brain or breast imaging scanners exist. Pilot project data proved the feasibility of our new flexible PET detection module design.Read moreRead less