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.
The Effect Of Stress/strain And Fatigue Fracture Sites On Durability Of Modular Aortic Endografts And Arterial Walls
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,919.00
Summary
Aneurysmal disease is an age related phenomenon. The mean life expectancy of western populations has doubled in 100 years because of the reduction in deaths from preventable and treatable diseases, and prolongation of life with chronic and incurable diseases. The older community (>65 years) continues to be active and productive contrary to prior predictions. Aneurysmal disease has emerged as a result of the changing pattern of diseases in the community. As with many other diseases, prophylaxi ....Aneurysmal disease is an age related phenomenon. The mean life expectancy of western populations has doubled in 100 years because of the reduction in deaths from preventable and treatable diseases, and prolongation of life with chronic and incurable diseases. The older community (>65 years) continues to be active and productive contrary to prior predictions. Aneurysmal disease has emerged as a result of the changing pattern of diseases in the community. As with many other diseases, prophylaxis against aneurysmal disease is the most effective approach since 80% of those that rupture will result in death. Endoluminal grafting provides a much less invasive procedure and provides an attractive and elegant alternative to open surgery. The danger is that structural strengths will be compromised with failures due to lack of strength and inadequate device durability. The most practical endografts are those that are built up from modules but vulnerable sites affected by fatiguing and disruptive forces are being identified, in particular where a tube divides into two outflow channels – the bifurcation - and joins. To improve and protect the current device, and enable sound engineering for future devices, we need to know the nature, magnitude and location of these forces. The existing collaboration with medical specialist, Cook Aust., the Advanced Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (CSIRO, Melb.) and University of WA combines a multidisciplinary team working towards the design and durability of the next generation of endoluminal devices and percutaneous insertions. While Australia is at the forefront of development, its current place in the market can only be maintained by further product development. Optimising and improving endoluminal grafts will reduce the suffering of major surgery while prolonging a higher quality of life with a much less invasive procedure whose long-term effectiveness, and thereby acceptance is dependent upon reliable durability.Read moreRead less
A Novel Vaccine Platform For Trimeric Envelope Proteins: HIV-1 Envelope
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$139,250.00
Summary
Vaccines are urgently needed for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The design of this vaccine candidate is based on the display of HIV-1 envelope spikes using a related primate retrovirus envelope with a more stable assembly to anchor the the spikes in a particle.
Minimal Structural Strength Required In Endoluminal Devices For Aortic Aneurysms: Mechanisms Of Rupture When They Fail.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$102,794.00
Summary
Aneurysmal disease is an age related phenomenon. The mean life expectancy of western populations has doubled in the last 100 years mainly because of the reduction in deaths from occlusive cardiovascular disease. Aneurysmal disease has emerged as a result of the changing pattern of diseases in the community. The impact of this work would be to improve minimally invasive, effective prophylaxis against aneurysm of the abdominal aorta since 80% of those that rupture will result in death. Endoluminal ....Aneurysmal disease is an age related phenomenon. The mean life expectancy of western populations has doubled in the last 100 years mainly because of the reduction in deaths from occlusive cardiovascular disease. Aneurysmal disease has emerged as a result of the changing pattern of diseases in the community. The impact of this work would be to improve minimally invasive, effective prophylaxis against aneurysm of the abdominal aorta since 80% of those that rupture will result in death. Endoluminal grafting provides a much less invasive procedure and provides an attractive and elegant alternative to open surgery. The general drive in this field is towards miniaturisation. The danger is that structural strengths will be compromised with early failures due to lack of strength; and late failures due to inadequate device durability. This application proposes the development of a collaborative venture with the Department of Vascular Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital, Cook R and D (WA), the Advanced Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (CSIRO, Melbourne) and Centre for Health Services Research (University of WA) to investigate the dynamic flow forces involved in aneurysms of the abdominal aorta. It combines together expertise and facilities to examine the forces acting upon endoluminal stent grafts in pulsatile high pressure environments, the impact on the design, patency, effectiveness and longer-term outcomes. The multidisciplinary team provides a comprehensive approach for this developing area of high technology surgery throughout Australia and internationally. The benefits of this study will directly influence the design and durability of the next generation of endoluminal devices and percutaneous insertions. While Australia is at the forefront of development, its current place in the market can only be maintained by further product development.Read moreRead less
The NanoNautilus : A Breakthrough In The Successful Treatment Of Strokes And Other Cerebrovascular Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,212.00
Summary
Strokes are one of the biggest killers of Australians and are becoming increasingly so every year. Bleeding from the brain involves extremely delicate and dangerous medical treatments. The development of NanoNautilus [TM]---a remote-controlled steerable microcatheterusing world-first miniaturization technology---will revolutionise current practises and greatly reduce the current risk with medical intervention.
Exploitation Of Unique Growth Factors To Develop New Products For Infertility Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$132,525.00
Summary
Infertility comes at an enormous social and financial cost to Australian society; infertility is a major psychological burden on young couples and the technologies used to treat infertility, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), require expensive drugs to stimulate the ovary. The cost of these drugs to Medicare is expected to exceed $100 million p.a. over the next decade. A reproductive technology, which has always shown great potential to elevate some of this burden, is oocyte (egg) in vitro ma ....Infertility comes at an enormous social and financial cost to Australian society; infertility is a major psychological burden on young couples and the technologies used to treat infertility, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), require expensive drugs to stimulate the ovary. The cost of these drugs to Medicare is expected to exceed $100 million p.a. over the next decade. A reproductive technology, which has always shown great potential to elevate some of this burden, is oocyte (egg) in vitro maturation (IVM), which drastically reduces the use-cost of drugs and the stress to patients. However, oocyte IVM has been slow to live up to its potential and the technology is still not in widespread clinical practice, mainly due to disappointing success rates in women. We have been studying oocyte IVM in animals for many years, and have recently made a significant technological breakthrough, improving success rates by ~50%. In this field, a 50% increase in efficiency is substantial and has significant clinical and commercial application. Currently, we are the only group worldwide with this technology. Over the course of this 2-year project we will conduct follow-up experiments to refine this discovery and investigate the feasibility of using this approach to treat human infertility. We are already in negotiations with two medical device manufacturers to licence this technology. We expect that this project will lead to a series of products and technologies that will enter a clinical trial for the treatment of infertility within 2-3 years.Read moreRead less