Imaging-based fluid-structure interaction modelling of carotid atherosclerotic plaque. This project aims to combine computational modelling, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mechanical measurement and pathological analysis to investigate carotid plaque progression, and quantify the critical blood flow and plaque stress/strain conditions under which plaque rupture is likely to occur. MRI-based 3D computational models with multi-component plaque structures and their interaction with blood flow wi ....Imaging-based fluid-structure interaction modelling of carotid atherosclerotic plaque. This project aims to combine computational modelling, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mechanical measurement and pathological analysis to investigate carotid plaque progression, and quantify the critical blood flow and plaque stress/strain conditions under which plaque rupture is likely to occur. MRI-based 3D computational models with multi-component plaque structures and their interaction with blood flow will be developed and solved numerically to identify suitable plaque rupture risk indicators. Mechanical properties of plaque components will be measured ex-vivo and fibre orientation-based constitutive rules will be developed. This project aims to lead to quantitative understandings of plaque progression and rupture.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354734
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
The Australian Research Network for Medical Devices: advanced technology solutions for patients and practitioners. Medical Device technologies embrace a wide range of scientific, engineering and medical knowledge, with the goal of assisting a clinical professional (doctor or nurse) deliver a service to a patient in an efficacious, cost effective manner. Development of appropriate medical devices, whether for diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease or disability, is critical to improving h ....The Australian Research Network for Medical Devices: advanced technology solutions for patients and practitioners. Medical Device technologies embrace a wide range of scientific, engineering and medical knowledge, with the goal of assisting a clinical professional (doctor or nurse) deliver a service to a patient in an efficacious, cost effective manner. Development of appropriate medical devices, whether for diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease or disability, is critical to improving health care and reducing health care costs. To be successful, a device must include all relevant disciplines in the research, development and testing phases. This network will bring together these groups, promoting knowledge sharing and cross-disciplinary investigations that illuminate current device limitations and potential solutions.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC180100024
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Medical Implant Technologies. The ARC Training Centre for Medical Implant Technologies aims to train a new generation of interdisciplinary engineers and to transform the orthopaedic and maxillofacial implant industry in Australia. In collaboration with industry, universities and hospitals, the Centre will build a dynamic training environment for interdisciplinary engineers to develop and evaluate personalised implants and surgeries. It will create new networks, internatio ....ARC Training Centre for Medical Implant Technologies. The ARC Training Centre for Medical Implant Technologies aims to train a new generation of interdisciplinary engineers and to transform the orthopaedic and maxillofacial implant industry in Australia. In collaboration with industry, universities and hospitals, the Centre will build a dynamic training environment for interdisciplinary engineers to develop and evaluate personalised implants and surgeries. It will create new networks, international collaborations and a generation of industry-ready researchers critical for growing Australia’s industry. The advances in materials and savings in time for procedures will reduce costs.
Read moreRead less
Biomechanics Meets Robotics: Methods for Accurate and Fast Needle Targeting. This project intends to create a novel integrated framework for biomedical systems that can accurately target a needle. Accurate surgical targeting means less trauma and better patient outcomes. Needles are used in over half of all surgical procedures, but up to 38 per cent of these are affected by targeting errors. Achieving sub-millimetre accuracy is extremely difficult because inserting a needle displaces the tissue ....Biomechanics Meets Robotics: Methods for Accurate and Fast Needle Targeting. This project intends to create a novel integrated framework for biomedical systems that can accurately target a needle. Accurate surgical targeting means less trauma and better patient outcomes. Needles are used in over half of all surgical procedures, but up to 38 per cent of these are affected by targeting errors. Achieving sub-millimetre accuracy is extremely difficult because inserting a needle displaces the tissue and moves the target. How, then, can ultra-fine targeting be achieved? This project plans to integrate non-linear biomechanical models that predict tissue motion with accurate and principled motion control. It seeks to create new methods for surgical robots that will predict target motion and guide a needle to accurately intersect the target.Read moreRead less
A kinetic measuring system for assistive devices used in paediatric gait. Each year, a proportion of children are born who suffer from disabilities, which limits their ability to walk efficiently. Gait analysis can identify limiting factors in walking ability, and can assess the clinical outcome of treatments. Children who use assistive devices, such as walking frames, are denied the full benefits of gait analysis due to limitations in current equipment. This project addresses this need through ....A kinetic measuring system for assistive devices used in paediatric gait. Each year, a proportion of children are born who suffer from disabilities, which limits their ability to walk efficiently. Gait analysis can identify limiting factors in walking ability, and can assess the clinical outcome of treatments. Children who use assistive devices, such as walking frames, are denied the full benefits of gait analysis due to limitations in current equipment. This project addresses this need through the development of a portable, load-measuring instrument. When integrated with existing equipment, a comprehensive description of assisted walking gait will be possible. This will lead to greater understanding and improved treatment outcomes for such children.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC190100020
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,998,796.00
Summary
ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Joint Biomechanics. The Centre aims to bring together leading researchers, industry partners and end-users to train a new generation of interdisciplinary and skilled graduates to tackle industry-focused challenges in joint biomechanics. The centre will provide advances required to transform personalised surgical treatment of joints through integrated technologies of computer tools for pre-surgical planning and decision making, the computer simula ....ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Joint Biomechanics. The Centre aims to bring together leading researchers, industry partners and end-users to train a new generation of interdisciplinary and skilled graduates to tackle industry-focused challenges in joint biomechanics. The centre will provide advances required to transform personalised surgical treatment of joints through integrated technologies of computer tools for pre-surgical planning and decision making, the computer simulation system and robot simulators for surgical training and medical device assessment, and post-surgical assessment tools. The outcomes of the centre will significantly contribute to Australia by improved health outcomes, economic benefits, and a skilled workforce able to advance this joint biomechanics fields.Read moreRead less
A novel multiscale model to investigate mechanical properties of cartilage. This project aims to develop a new multiscale model to investigate anisotropic and inhomogeneous mechanical properties of cartilage. It has been found that the mechanical properties of cartilage highly depend on its microstructures and components. The new model is proposed based on a new constitutive relation in the macroscale and a novel algorithm to obtain local stress distributions in the microscale as well as through ....A novel multiscale model to investigate mechanical properties of cartilage. This project aims to develop a new multiscale model to investigate anisotropic and inhomogeneous mechanical properties of cartilage. It has been found that the mechanical properties of cartilage highly depend on its microstructures and components. The new model is proposed based on a new constitutive relation in the macroscale and a novel algorithm to obtain local stress distributions in the microscale as well as through rigorous experimental validations. This model will be a powerful tool to understand cartilage mechanical properties. It will accelerate the design of mechanically viable artificial cartilage biomaterial, which will provide significant economic benefits and place Australia in the forefront of modelling and biomaterials.Read moreRead less
A Multiscale Modelling Framework for Mechanical Properties of ECM. This project aims to develop a novel hierarchical multi-scale modelling framework to understand factors that influence the mechanical deformation behaviour of the extracellular matrix (ECM) such as cartilage, whose mechanical performance is critical to human wellbeing. Modelling ECM presents significant challenges due to the need to incorporate effects at scales from atomic interactions up to the fibre network in a continuum mode ....A Multiscale Modelling Framework for Mechanical Properties of ECM. This project aims to develop a novel hierarchical multi-scale modelling framework to understand factors that influence the mechanical deformation behaviour of the extracellular matrix (ECM) such as cartilage, whose mechanical performance is critical to human wellbeing. Modelling ECM presents significant challenges due to the need to incorporate effects at scales from atomic interactions up to the fibre network in a continuum model. The proposed framework follows ECM's natural hierarchical structure and integrates efficient models for each key structural scale based on rigorous experimental validations. It is expected to provide a powerful tool for designing successful artificial ECM materials and understanding the mechanisms of the ECM degradation.Read moreRead less
Understanding the biomechanical effects of fixation strategies to improve the technology of fracture management. Severe limb trauma is the leading cause of disability to people of wage-earning age, and 150,000 Australians are hospitalised with fractures each year. Beyond the direct costs to the nation of $1000 million annually, temporary and permanent loss of limb functionality have a significant impact on productivity and quality of life. The computational models developed in this project will ....Understanding the biomechanical effects of fixation strategies to improve the technology of fracture management. Severe limb trauma is the leading cause of disability to people of wage-earning age, and 150,000 Australians are hospitalised with fractures each year. Beyond the direct costs to the nation of $1000 million annually, temporary and permanent loss of limb functionality have a significant impact on productivity and quality of life. The computational models developed in this project will address critical gaps in the knowledge of fracture healing and the influence of different fixation devices. The project outcomes will provide a basis for tailoring fixation technologies for more reliable outcomes and minimised risk of non-union and complications, and thereby reducing physical impairment and the socio-economic burden of fractures.Read moreRead less
Innovative multiscale modelling to explore mechanical properties of single living cells. This project will develop a new modelling platform to explore the relationship between living cell mechanical properties, their response to mechanical loads and their biological functions. Providing knowledge beyond current experimental measurements, this model will support studies into new treatments and preventions for diseases.