Our overall objective is to significantly improve the efficacy and efficiency of image-guided neurosurgery for brain tumours by including realistic computation of brain deformations, based on a biomechanical model, in a system to improve intra-operative visualisation, navigation and monitoring. The system will create an augmented reality visualisation of the intra-operative configuration of the patient’s brain merged with high resolution pre-operative imaging data.
Patient-specific Modelling Of Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is undoubtedly the biggest killer in the developed world and accounts for 30% of all deaths in Australia; killing one Australian every twelve minutes. My research group and I, combine medical imaging with biomedical engineering to perform patient-specific modelling. For example, we can predict the likelihood that aneurysm will rupture or the way blood flows through the aorta. My goal is to make these modelling tools accurate and robust enough to be used in the clinic.
Measuring large deformation tissue mechanical behaviour in living humans. This project aims to develop new in vivo imaging methods to characterise the nonlinear mechanical behaviour of soft biological tissues, and use them to measure the properties of muscle, liver and adipose tissue in human subjects. Comprehensively characterising the mechanical properties of an individual person’s body tissues in vivo is a long-standing challenge in biomechanics and biomedical engineering. These new methods a ....Measuring large deformation tissue mechanical behaviour in living humans. This project aims to develop new in vivo imaging methods to characterise the nonlinear mechanical behaviour of soft biological tissues, and use them to measure the properties of muscle, liver and adipose tissue in human subjects. Comprehensively characterising the mechanical properties of an individual person’s body tissues in vivo is a long-standing challenge in biomechanics and biomedical engineering. These new methods aim to overcome major imitations of current biomechanical imaging methods, and make new measurements of the nonlinear mechanical properties of muscle, liver and adipose tissues. These techniques may be useful for future diagnostic, biomechanics and mechanobiology applications.Read moreRead less
Using Biomechanics To Prevent Injury And Treat Soft Tissue Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,501.00
Summary
In this fellowship, I will use biomechanical testing and analysis methods together with novel imaging methods to design and implement interventions to prevent injuries to children, and to improve treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea and complex disorders of the cerebrospinal fluid system.
Approximately 7% of elderly men have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and AAA rupture usually results in death. This research aims to improve the limitations in AAA risk assessment. Currently, the maximum diameter determines if the aneurysm is at risk of rupture. However, many small AAAs rupture and 75% of larger ones never burst. Using computer models generated from medical imaging can substantially improve the understanding of rupture risk, therefore, saving lives and reducing health care co ....Approximately 7% of elderly men have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and AAA rupture usually results in death. This research aims to improve the limitations in AAA risk assessment. Currently, the maximum diameter determines if the aneurysm is at risk of rupture. However, many small AAAs rupture and 75% of larger ones never burst. Using computer models generated from medical imaging can substantially improve the understanding of rupture risk, therefore, saving lives and reducing health care costs.Read moreRead less
Unravelling The Riddle Of Spondylolysis: A Novel Biomechanical Approach Incorporating Innovative Strain Field Mapping, Acute Fracture Path Mapping And In Vivo Weightbearing Spinal Kinematics Derived From Open Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$334,673.00
Summary
Low back pain represents a significant social and economic burden in Australia and can be debilitating for individuals. This project aims to understand the biomechanical origins and consequences of spondylolysis, a common spinal stress fracture affecting both children and adults. The results of these studies will contribute to improved prevention, detection and treatment of this spinal condition, and reduce the incidence of more serious spinal problems which can occur subsequent to spondylolysis ....Low back pain represents a significant social and economic burden in Australia and can be debilitating for individuals. This project aims to understand the biomechanical origins and consequences of spondylolysis, a common spinal stress fracture affecting both children and adults. The results of these studies will contribute to improved prevention, detection and treatment of this spinal condition, and reduce the incidence of more serious spinal problems which can occur subsequent to spondylolysis.Read moreRead less
Intelligent training (iTraining) for the human Achilles tendon. The project aims to improve understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon plays a crucial role in human motor function and is also a structure that is commonly injured and notoriously difficult to treat. A major barrier to improving Achilles tendon function, preventing tendon injury and enhancing tendon repair is a poor understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon durin ....Intelligent training (iTraining) for the human Achilles tendon. The project aims to improve understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon plays a crucial role in human motor function and is also a structure that is commonly injured and notoriously difficult to treat. A major barrier to improving Achilles tendon function, preventing tendon injury and enhancing tendon repair is a poor understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon during training and rehabilitation. The project aims to develop a better understanding of the loading conditions that optimise tendon metabolism. Based on this, it then intends to develop new technologies to estimate the mechanical behaviour of the human Achilles tendon in real time based on integrated use of wearable technology, and new training guidelines that will optimise human tendon adaptation.Read moreRead less
Biomechanics of the human spine measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Statistics show that 80% of the population suffer back pain at some time. However, because the spine is very complex our understanding of its mechanics and the causes of back pain are still limited. This project will investigate the anatomy and activity of the spinal muscles and the behaviour of the intervertebral disc in living subjects using innovative Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques. Significant outcomes will be ....Biomechanics of the human spine measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Statistics show that 80% of the population suffer back pain at some time. However, because the spine is very complex our understanding of its mechanics and the causes of back pain are still limited. This project will investigate the anatomy and activity of the spinal muscles and the behaviour of the intervertebral disc in living subjects using innovative Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques. Significant outcomes will be new definitive descriptions of the detailed anatomy of the spine and its mechanisms. This will enhance the accuracy and detail of models under development for predicting spinal function following disease, injury or surgical procedures.Read moreRead less
Theoretical and experimental studies on magnetoelectroelastic bone remodelling process. The project combines biotechnology and material science which will have national economic, social and environment impact. It can benefit industry by providing knowledge that help scientists understand remodeling under coupled fields and is used to develop bone replacement. By better understanding remodeling due to multi-field loading, we can assist scientists in aeronautical industry in developing countermeas ....Theoretical and experimental studies on magnetoelectroelastic bone remodelling process. The project combines biotechnology and material science which will have national economic, social and environment impact. It can benefit industry by providing knowledge that help scientists understand remodeling under coupled fields and is used to develop bone replacement. By better understanding remodeling due to multi-field loading, we can assist scientists in aeronautical industry in developing countermeasures that reduce or eliminate bone loss resulting from long-duration space flight. It can provide knowledge that can be used to explore underlying mechanisms controlling bone remodeling and self-repair in gaining insight into debilitating diseases such as osteoporosis, to develop high-performance prosthetics for medical injury healing.Read moreRead less