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
Bridging the gap between global mechanics and regional imaging in the lungs. The detailed mechanics of breathing are not well understood, due to a lack of regional lung measurement techniques. This project aims to develop a powerful analysis tool to image in vivo mechanical properties of the lungs. The expected outcome of this project is a novel platform for investigation and understanding of lung function, enabling information previously only available for the whole lung to be calculated for lo ....Bridging the gap between global mechanics and regional imaging in the lungs. The detailed mechanics of breathing are not well understood, due to a lack of regional lung measurement techniques. This project aims to develop a powerful analysis tool to image in vivo mechanical properties of the lungs. The expected outcome of this project is a novel platform for investigation and understanding of lung function, enabling information previously only available for the whole lung to be calculated for local lung regions within the body. The image analysis methods developed are intended to enable respiratory researchers to investigate lung function in unprecedented detail, leading to new insights into the workings of this complicated and vital organ. Read moreRead less
Hybrid imaging/modelling: A new paradigm for understanding the lung. Our lungs are essential to sustain our lives, yet the details of lung biomechanics are barely understood because the available tools, imaging, modelling and simulation have significant limitations. Imaging is largely limited to providing structural information; simulation is severely restricted by a lack of validation; and inverse modelling is critically hampered by a lack of spatially resolved inputs. The project’s multidiscip ....Hybrid imaging/modelling: A new paradigm for understanding the lung. Our lungs are essential to sustain our lives, yet the details of lung biomechanics are barely understood because the available tools, imaging, modelling and simulation have significant limitations. Imaging is largely limited to providing structural information; simulation is severely restricted by a lack of validation; and inverse modelling is critically hampered by a lack of spatially resolved inputs. The project’s multidisciplinary team is uniquely positioned to explore these problems through the hybridisation of world-leading functional lung imaging technology with state-of-the-art modelling. This project aims to provide, perhaps for the first time, the capacity to see details with the resolution of imaging, richness of modelling and reliability of the finest measurements.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180101133
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,551.00
Summary
Linking structure and function: a new approach for understanding the lung. This project aims to develop a powerful analysis tool to measure gas transport and mixing within lungs. This project will study the mechanical workings of the lungs, using an innovative approach for analysis of lung images. The expected outcome of this project is a novel platform for investigation and understanding of lung function. It is anticipated that application of the project outcomes to medical challenges in the lo ....Linking structure and function: a new approach for understanding the lung. This project aims to develop a powerful analysis tool to measure gas transport and mixing within lungs. This project will study the mechanical workings of the lungs, using an innovative approach for analysis of lung images. The expected outcome of this project is a novel platform for investigation and understanding of lung function. It is anticipated that application of the project outcomes to medical challenges in the long-term will lead to improved diagnostics and treatments for lung diseases.Read moreRead less
The development and testing of a device to enhance the application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. This project aims to develop and evaluate a new device designed to substantially enhance the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation, a technology, which is increasingly being applied in the treatment of disorders such as depression, as well as in the study of normal and abnormal brain function.
Rapid point-of-care detection of genomic variations for personalised medicine. Selecting treatment based on a person’s genetic profile can improve drug safety and efficacy, but the application is hampered by the inconvenience, slow result turnaround and high cost of current lab-based tests. Full implementation of personalised medicine in clinical practice requires a point-of-care testing system. This project aims to overcome the challenges involved in developing such a system by validating novel ....Rapid point-of-care detection of genomic variations for personalised medicine. Selecting treatment based on a person’s genetic profile can improve drug safety and efficacy, but the application is hampered by the inconvenience, slow result turnaround and high cost of current lab-based tests. Full implementation of personalised medicine in clinical practice requires a point-of-care testing system. This project aims to overcome the challenges involved in developing such a system by validating novel rapid genotyping methods and developing ultrasensitive real-time DNA detection that will be integrated on a single chip platform to facilitate a small, low cost and reliable test device. The technology will be readily adaptable to areas where prompt access to genomic information is valuable, such as disease diagnosis and risk prediction.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC140100023
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,800,000.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre in Biodevices. ARC Training Centre in Biodevices. The Training Centre aims to assist Australian biodevice and diagnostics companies to develop the next generation of innovative and profitable products that address important healthcare needs in our communities. This will be achieved by addressing industry-specific challenges relating to the multidisciplinary nature of design and development in the biodevices and diagnostics sector; technology uptake and transfer to manufacturi ....ARC Training Centre in Biodevices. ARC Training Centre in Biodevices. The Training Centre aims to assist Australian biodevice and diagnostics companies to develop the next generation of innovative and profitable products that address important healthcare needs in our communities. This will be achieved by addressing industry-specific challenges relating to the multidisciplinary nature of design and development in the biodevices and diagnostics sector; technology uptake and transfer to manufacturing; the composition, maturity and size of local firms in the sector; and the development of high-level entrepreneurial skills for innovative industry researchers. The Training Centre will remove barriers to collaboration between universities and industry by delivering exceptional return on research investment.Read moreRead less
Development of an electrode for stimulation of a transplanted neosphincter. This project aims to develop a novel electrode as an integral component of a new treatment for severe stress urinary incontinence. Treatments for severe stress urinary incontinence are associated with complications and are not completely effective. The new electrode is designed to be activated by an implanted stimulator to control an innervated smooth muscle graft (the neosphincter) to regulate the flow of urine from the ....Development of an electrode for stimulation of a transplanted neosphincter. This project aims to develop a novel electrode as an integral component of a new treatment for severe stress urinary incontinence. Treatments for severe stress urinary incontinence are associated with complications and are not completely effective. The new electrode is designed to be activated by an implanted stimulator to control an innervated smooth muscle graft (the neosphincter) to regulate the flow of urine from the bladder. Project research into the design of the electrode will focus on providing safe, effective and efficient stimulation of the neosphincter, while ensuring minimal damage to the surrounding tissues and affording straightforward implantation at surgery.Read moreRead less
Development of an electrode assembly for the stimulation of a transplanted innervated smooth muscle sphincter. This project will design and assess a number of different electrode designs for use in a medical device being developed for the treatment of severe stress urinary incontinence. The project will identify an optimal electrode design, which will be used in future clinical trials of the device.
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC160100026
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,722,989.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre in Additive Biomanufacturing. ARC Training Centre in Additive Biomanufacturing. The training centre aims to bring together leading researchers and industry to develop and translate key technology platforms for personalised treatments of challenging medical conditions. The centre expects its research will lead to synergistic and innovative technologies needed for personalised therapies including: modular additive biomanufacturing platforms; advanced bio-inks for regenerative m ....ARC Training Centre in Additive Biomanufacturing. ARC Training Centre in Additive Biomanufacturing. The training centre aims to bring together leading researchers and industry to develop and translate key technology platforms for personalised treatments of challenging medical conditions. The centre expects its research will lead to synergistic and innovative technologies needed for personalised therapies including: modular additive biomanufacturing platforms; advanced bio-inks for regenerative medicine; and additive manufactured tools for surgical planning and education. Highly experienced researchers and industry partners with teams of exceptional post-doctoral fellows and doctoral students would drive each technology. Anticipated impacts are that Australia will be a world-leader in additive biomanufacturing, and that the research will change the fields of science, health and biotechnology.Read moreRead less