Novel MRI Approaches To Map Focal Cortical Dysplasia In Focal Epilepsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,489.00
Summary
Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is a common cause of focal epilepsy that is resistant to medication. When it can be identified clearly, surgical removal can cure the epilepsy but better methods of detecting and mapping FCD are required because standard imaging techniques are negative in 30% of patients. In this project, we plan to develop new MRI methods to diagnose FCD, thereby creating a new MRI-based diagnostic tool for patients with focal epilepsy who are potential surgical candidates.
Radiation protection for space, aviation, and terrestrial applications: the development of novel radiation detectors and computational techniques. Personnel in space, aviation, and terrestrial applications may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of densely ionising radiation. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of equivalent dose in these applications. The "preventative healthcare" priority go ....Radiation protection for space, aviation, and terrestrial applications: the development of novel radiation detectors and computational techniques. Personnel in space, aviation, and terrestrial applications may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of densely ionising radiation. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of equivalent dose in these applications. The "preventative healthcare" priority goal of the National Research Priority "Promoting and Maintaining Good Health" will be addressed, serving to reduce the risk to personnel involved in such activities. This research will also enhance Australia's international reputation in this field, stimulate local expertise, and create a critical mass of researchers in this field. Read moreRead less
Development of innovative radiation detectors and computational techniques for improving quality of life. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and advanced computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of the effects of radiation in homeland security, medicine, aviation and space applications. The 'preventative healthcare' priority goal of the National Research priority 'Promoting and maintaining good health' will be addressed, serving to reduce th ....Development of innovative radiation detectors and computational techniques for improving quality of life. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and advanced computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of the effects of radiation in homeland security, medicine, aviation and space applications. The 'preventative healthcare' priority goal of the National Research priority 'Promoting and maintaining good health' will be addressed, serving to reduce the risk to people involved in such activities. This fundamental research will also enhance Australia's international reputation in this field, stimulate local expertise and create a critical mass of researchers working in this sector.Read moreRead less
Novel Transmission Scanning and Computational Strategies for Quantitative microPET Imaging. Advances in detector technologies have led to the development and commercialisation of small animal imaging systems such as microPET which provide high resolution images of radioactive compounds in live animals, but the images can only be interpreted qualitatively. Our aim is to develop quantitative technologies for these new imaging systems. Major outcomes will include novel methods of measuring and corr ....Novel Transmission Scanning and Computational Strategies for Quantitative microPET Imaging. Advances in detector technologies have led to the development and commercialisation of small animal imaging systems such as microPET which provide high resolution images of radioactive compounds in live animals, but the images can only be interpreted qualitatively. Our aim is to develop quantitative technologies for these new imaging systems. Major outcomes will include novel methods of measuring and correcting for signal loss due to photon interactions in the body and integrated image reconstruction algorithms. This will lead to a new generation of quantitative imaging devices; the new technologies will be directly translatable to clinical imaging systems and will broaden the range of microPET applications in the life sciences.Read moreRead less
Novel imaging technologies for continuous measurement of tracer kinetics in awake animals. The fates of biologically relevant molecules, such as proteins and antibodies, in the body are fundamentally important for understanding the mechanisms and treatment of disease. This project will enable for the first time continuous imaging of the location and time course of labelled molecules in conscious, freely moving animals.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100006
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
An adaptable and dedicated linear accelerator for medical radiation research. Leading radiation scientists developing innovative methods and devices for treating cancer patients will collaborate in future research using this highly adaptable linear accelerator for medical radiation research. Innovations in tumour targeting, better patient safety, new medical devices and improved cancer outcomes are expected.
A novel scintillating optical fibre array for cancer imaging and therapy. This project aims to realise a next-generation detector technology that delivers the first fully integrated solution to the X-ray imaging and dose measurement needs of cancer radiation therapy. It is planned that this will be achieved by optimising an experimental prototype device employing a scintillating optical fibre array to generate an optical signal that preserves a tissue-equivalent detector response. The acquired d ....A novel scintillating optical fibre array for cancer imaging and therapy. This project aims to realise a next-generation detector technology that delivers the first fully integrated solution to the X-ray imaging and dose measurement needs of cancer radiation therapy. It is planned that this will be achieved by optimising an experimental prototype device employing a scintillating optical fibre array to generate an optical signal that preserves a tissue-equivalent detector response. The acquired digital image can thus be used to simultaneously verify geometric accuracy (correct patient positioning) and dosimetric accuracy (correct dose distribution). This is not currently possible with existing X-ray detector technology and offers an improvement in treatment accuracy.Read moreRead less
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Inhomogeneous Magnetic Fields-Part A: The Development of Imaging Methods Using Even Order Zonal Fields. Part B: Slice Correction Due to Non-linear Gradient Fields. The primary aims of this project are to contribute to the new generation of MRI methodologies through technical innovation, with particular emphasis on NMR imaging under inhomogeneous magnetic fields. The new techniques will be of enormous benefit for superconducting magnet design, reducing material usage ....Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Inhomogeneous Magnetic Fields-Part A: The Development of Imaging Methods Using Even Order Zonal Fields. Part B: Slice Correction Due to Non-linear Gradient Fields. The primary aims of this project are to contribute to the new generation of MRI methodologies through technical innovation, with particular emphasis on NMR imaging under inhomogeneous magnetic fields. The new techniques will be of enormous benefit for superconducting magnet design, reducing material usage, and eliminating the need for the expensive post-production shimming process. The entailed project is extremely challenging, while preliminary calculations presented in this application show some progress towards demonstration of feasibility. The program is an ambitious one with a full R&D program over 3 years, which will provide leadership, and to both foster and focus research interest in Australian engineering and scientific endeavors in the field of Magnetic Resonance technology.Read moreRead less
High Field Magnetic Resonance Engineering. The use of high resolution MRI is increasingly important in the quest for molecular imaging and the development of a range of gene therapies, stem cell research and the trialling of new drugs. This research will add momentum to Australia's health technology research community with positive impact on its international research and development profile. Successful outcomes will improve both the applicability and cost-effectiveness of numerous current and ....High Field Magnetic Resonance Engineering. The use of high resolution MRI is increasingly important in the quest for molecular imaging and the development of a range of gene therapies, stem cell research and the trialling of new drugs. This research will add momentum to Australia's health technology research community with positive impact on its international research and development profile. Successful outcomes will improve both the applicability and cost-effectiveness of numerous current and potential medical and non-medical imaging systems with subsequent potential for improved diagnosis in the biotech and health sectors in Australia and overseas. Successful outcomes will provide economic returns through licensing payments from the generated intellectual property.Read moreRead less
Transceive Phased Arrays for Parallel Imaging in High Field Magnetic Resonance Microscopy. This project will contribute to the development of a new generation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems that provide new and innovative features capable of significantly increasing the resolution and /or speed of imaging. The economic benefit of being a developer of this technology is clear and significant. These new systems will enhance the efficiency and power of clinical diagnostic testing. Specifica ....Transceive Phased Arrays for Parallel Imaging in High Field Magnetic Resonance Microscopy. This project will contribute to the development of a new generation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems that provide new and innovative features capable of significantly increasing the resolution and /or speed of imaging. The economic benefit of being a developer of this technology is clear and significant. These new systems will enhance the efficiency and power of clinical diagnostic testing. Specifically, the enabling of molecular imaging will enhance the study of many more disease states and rapid assessment of new in vivo therapeutic agents. The side-stream benefit to biomedical research and development in Australia is therefore substantial. Read moreRead less