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
Real-time neuronal network imaging using diamond optrode arrays. The project aims to develop new imaging technology for real time recording of electrical activity from cell and neuronal networks with unprecedented resolution and scale. The technology innovation stems from an optical defect in diamond which can be engineered to sensitively detect local changes in electric field. The all-optical diamond optrode array devices will be applied to biological model systems including cardiomyocytes, mam ....Real-time neuronal network imaging using diamond optrode arrays. The project aims to develop new imaging technology for real time recording of electrical activity from cell and neuronal networks with unprecedented resolution and scale. The technology innovation stems from an optical defect in diamond which can be engineered to sensitively detect local changes in electric field. The all-optical diamond optrode array devices will be applied to biological model systems including cardiomyocytes, mammalian cells, and neurons; and will be benchmarked against current state-of-the-art technologies. The knowledge gained from the high density recordings will aid predictive models of disease and will lead to an improved understanding of the brain’s micro circuity and functional connectome.Read moreRead less
Connecting man to machine: Wireless brain-machine interface. This project aims to enable direct wireless transmission of brain signals leading to reliable thought control of computers, wheelchairs, exoskeletons and vehicles. Such technology is currently limited by the fidelity, reliability, safety and longevity of the electrodes used to record signals from the brain. Partner organisation, SmartStent, has developed a novel stent-based electrode array which allows the extraction of high fidelity n ....Connecting man to machine: Wireless brain-machine interface. This project aims to enable direct wireless transmission of brain signals leading to reliable thought control of computers, wheelchairs, exoskeletons and vehicles. Such technology is currently limited by the fidelity, reliability, safety and longevity of the electrodes used to record signals from the brain. Partner organisation, SmartStent, has developed a novel stent-based electrode array which allows the extraction of high fidelity neural information without risky brain surgery and implant rejection. The project aims to combine SmartStent's stent-electrode technology with the diamond materials technology developed by the research team for hermetic encapsulation of electronics.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
Future neural electrodes: probing the electrical activity of nerves using 3D graphene networks. This research aims to develop a totally new type of neural electrode that will for the first time, allow reliable and long-term stimulation and recording. The approach incorporates graphene based biomaterials with tunable electrical and biological properties within supportive three-dimensional cellular microenvironments, greatly enhancing the electrical interactions between cells and the electrode. Th ....Future neural electrodes: probing the electrical activity of nerves using 3D graphene networks. This research aims to develop a totally new type of neural electrode that will for the first time, allow reliable and long-term stimulation and recording. The approach incorporates graphene based biomaterials with tunable electrical and biological properties within supportive three-dimensional cellular microenvironments, greatly enhancing the electrical interactions between cells and the electrode. The electrical properties of nerve cells will be probed using our three-dimensional graphene network, providing insight into the the brain-machine interface. This project is important as it directly addresses the inherent limitations of current electrode designs.Read moreRead less