Development Of A Fibre-optic Flow Sensor To Monitor Blood Platelet Adhesive Function.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,550.00
Summary
The ability to accurately diagnose platelet dysfunction is key to the clinical management of many cardiovascular diseases which represent a major cause of mortality in the industrialised world. At present there is no clinically robust instrument that can accurately assess abnormal platelet function under conditions that closely mimic the physiological environment. We aim to develop a sensitive prototype instrument for the clinical assessment of platelet function. We propose to develop this medic ....The ability to accurately diagnose platelet dysfunction is key to the clinical management of many cardiovascular diseases which represent a major cause of mortality in the industrialised world. At present there is no clinically robust instrument that can accurately assess abnormal platelet function under conditions that closely mimic the physiological environment. We aim to develop a sensitive prototype instrument for the clinical assessment of platelet function. We propose to develop this medical device as a relatively cheap and portable point of care instrument that can be marketed internationally.Read moreRead less
Spectrometer Module For Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectroscopy In Glucose Analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,151.00
Summary
Scientists have developed a number of incredibly powerful and sophisticated techniques to identify chemicals and measure their concentrations in the laboratory. However, it remains a major challenge to perform these measurements under everyday circumstances. For example, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has gained widespread recognition as a technique for trace chemical detection, but it remains confined to a small number of specialist laboratories. For this reason, Dr Paul Stoddart at S ....Scientists have developed a number of incredibly powerful and sophisticated techniques to identify chemicals and measure their concentrations in the laboratory. However, it remains a major challenge to perform these measurements under everyday circumstances. For example, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has gained widespread recognition as a technique for trace chemical detection, but it remains confined to a small number of specialist laboratories. For this reason, Dr Paul Stoddart at Swinburne University of Technology recognised a need for more practical SERS probes for field applications. His team has now developed a proprietary SERS probe, based on an optical fibre that is little thicker than a hair. These optical fibres can form the core element of field-portable SERS spectrometers. This work has recently been boosted by the discovery in the United States that SERS can be used to monitor glucose in blood. The development of a continuous glucose monitor has long been a holy grail of sensor research, because of the millions of diabetes sufferers who regularly perform the painful finger prick test. For SERS to provide a practical solution to glucose monitoring, it is recognised that SERS optical fibres are needed for minimally invasive probes. With support from Biopharmica and the Diabetes Australia Research Trust, Dr Stoddart's team has now demonstrated that sensitive SERS probes can be produced in large quantities. The next objective is to develop a prototype low-cost SERS spectrometer for use as part of a continuous glucose monitoring system. This will require the development of a laser source and spectroscopic system that can interface to the SERS probes. It is proposed to use an Australian designed and manufactured laser system based on a low-power narrow-linewidth laser diode. The project plans to bring together Swinburne University, OptoTech and Grey Innovation in order to develop a commercially scaleable and robust device.Read moreRead less
Microfluidic Device Fo The Quantitative Assessment Of Blood Platelet Aggregation Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$270,114.00
Summary
This project will develop a low-cost microfluidic chip which utilises dynamic shear stress to assess the propensity of blood clotting. This tool will analyze a tiny sample of blood and will predict excessive or ineffective clotting. The project will develop the chip and a low-cost 'chip reader' such that the tool can be operated at the point of care with only basic training.
Development Of A Prototype Production System For Optical Fibre Diagnostic Probes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$191,598.00
Summary
Advances in nanotechnology have led to new techniques for the precise fabrication of nanometre scale structures. A recent breakthrough by the applicants now allows high-quality nanostructures to be stamped onto the tip of low-cost optical fibre probes. When coated with silver, these sensitive probes can be used for continuous monitoring of blood glucose in diabetics and in critical care situations. This project aims to develop a prototype manufacturing system for optical fibre glucose probes.
Web-based Multimedia Information Management System For Use In Remote Diagnosis Of Eye Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,000.00
Summary
Our aim is to develop a web-based multimedia information management system for use in remote diagnosis of eye diseases. The proposed system will provide medical advice and diagnosis, information and distance education for those working in health care as well as the community, computer-aided diagnosis and assistance in the operational and medical decision-making process. Less expensive health care personnel should be able to use the system with little training in remote and rural areas. Significa ....Our aim is to develop a web-based multimedia information management system for use in remote diagnosis of eye diseases. The proposed system will provide medical advice and diagnosis, information and distance education for those working in health care as well as the community, computer-aided diagnosis and assistance in the operational and medical decision-making process. Less expensive health care personnel should be able to use the system with little training in remote and rural areas. Significantly, the project should empower remote general doctors and nurses by proper access to expert advice, save many remote patients from unnecessary visits to specialist centres on the one hand and allow more proper diagnosis and intervention on the other. It has the potential for significant reductions in the cost of health care delivery, should strengthening the bond between medical services in remote and city areas, provide training and education of local GPs, nurses, health care workers and optometrists and provide web-based disease management systems will provide instant access to health care information. The outcomes of this project are potentially of great significance to remote and rural communities in Australia and around the world. There will be an enormous impact on current health care practices. Significantly, the project should empower remote general doctors and nurses by proper access to expert advice, save many remote patients from unnecessary visits to specialist centres on the one hand and allow more proper diagnosis and intervention on the other. It has the potential for significant reductions in the cost of health care delivery, should strengthening the bond between medical services in remote and city areas, provide training and education of local GPs, nurses, health care workers and optometrists and provide web-based disease management systems will provide instant access to health care information. The outcomes of this project are potentially of great significance to remote and rural communities in Australia and around the world. There will be an enormous impact on current health care practices.Read moreRead less
The Respire_ System: Portable Pulmonary Delivery Platform For Rapid, Flexible And Highly Efficient Treatment Of Elderly, Paediatric And Physically-Compromised Patients With Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$599,142.00
Summary
The development of a low-cost miniature drug delivery platform for the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases is proposed. The portable device has already been shown to be significantly more efficient than currently available asthma inhalers. In addition, the device offers the possibility of dose adjustment to account for patient variability, such as age and disease severity, as well as a reduction in patient intervention, thus making it more appropriate for patients unable to self-medicate.
Ocular Implant For The Treatment Of Bacterial Endophthalmitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,446.00
Summary
We seek to develop an ocular implant for the treatment of bacterial endophthalmitis. The implant will be a small device that can be administered directly to the affected ocular cavity to release an antibiotic in a controlled manner to clear any infection. The implant will erode and leave no residue. It will be produced from a novel drug-polymer conjugate technology that allows polymer devices that comprise >50% drug to be made.
Biological Membrane Transporters: Delivery Of An Oligonucleotide Inhibitor Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,750.00
Summary
Choroidal neovascularisation, which is the most severe form of Age Related Macular Degeneration, is the major cause of blindness in the developed world. Gene therapy could be a cure for this disease if the problems associated with the delivery of DNA could be addressed. Our project involves a highly novel strategy for gene delivery involving ion pair formation of lipophilic dendrimers (tree-like compounds with positive charges on the surface). We will develop new DNA-dendrimer complexes and test ....Choroidal neovascularisation, which is the most severe form of Age Related Macular Degeneration, is the major cause of blindness in the developed world. Gene therapy could be a cure for this disease if the problems associated with the delivery of DNA could be addressed. Our project involves a highly novel strategy for gene delivery involving ion pair formation of lipophilic dendrimers (tree-like compounds with positive charges on the surface). We will develop new DNA-dendrimer complexes and test them in a well established animal model for neovascularisation. Successful completion of this project might offer a potential therapy for choroidal neovascularisation, with a good chance of entering into human clinical trials.Read moreRead less
Development Of The Quick Clinical On-line Evidence Based Decision Support System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,500.00
Summary
Web information retrieval is of increasing importance to health professions. Yet, despite advances in technology, clinicians still have large unmet information needs with significant consequences for the public. QuickClinical is an evidence delivery system that utilises intelligent search filter technology to assist typical clinical tasks like ‘diagnosis’, ensuring only the most relevant evidence is retrieved. This grant will allow a research prototype to be taken to early commercialisation stag ....Web information retrieval is of increasing importance to health professions. Yet, despite advances in technology, clinicians still have large unmet information needs with significant consequences for the public. QuickClinical is an evidence delivery system that utilises intelligent search filter technology to assist typical clinical tasks like ‘diagnosis’, ensuring only the most relevant evidence is retrieved. This grant will allow a research prototype to be taken to early commercialisation stage, ready to be deployed in different environments for different clinical users.Read moreRead less
Novel System For Non-Invasive Delivery Of Drugs To The Interior Of The Eye
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,213.00
Summary
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual loss for adults in the developed world. Treatment is now by needle injection into the back of the eye, which is painful for the patient and is costly for the health-care system. Seagull Technology Pty Ltd has developed a non-invasive device for treating the back of the eye without the need for a needle injection. This project will test the new device in animals and then move to a first safety study for human AMD patients.