Bioengineered bioscaffolds for Achilles tendinopathy treatment. The purpose of the project is to improve outcomes following the surgical treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. The expected outcome is the development in animals of new ways to design tissue engineered bioscaffolds for the surgical repair of Achilles tendinopathy.
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
Techniques for probing biological media with holographic angular scattering spectroscopy. Huge effort in the biological and medical sciences is spent in using simple software to laboriously mark, count and measure cells and structures in microscope images of samples. We could replace this incredibly inefficient process in many instances with single-shot size-map images of unstained samples. If depth selectivity can be added, we could perform non-invasive measurements on animals, making a huge re ....Techniques for probing biological media with holographic angular scattering spectroscopy. Huge effort in the biological and medical sciences is spent in using simple software to laboriously mark, count and measure cells and structures in microscope images of samples. We could replace this incredibly inefficient process in many instances with single-shot size-map images of unstained samples. If depth selectivity can be added, we could perform non-invasive measurements on animals, making a huge reduction in their usage. We could assess thick tissues enabling early noninvasive diagnosis of malignancy in tumours in situ or muscle characterization for meat quality or muscular dystrophy. These benefits impact on research, animal ethics, and on health, and have commercial potential in life and medical sciences, and the meat industry.Read moreRead less
Quantitative multi-modal optical imaging of deep tissue. This project aims to create new tools to quantify the structural and functional properties of tissue. Combining multiple optical imaging technologies (multi-modal) into a single, miniaturised probe, these tools could enable physiologists and biomedical researchers to obtain new insight into disease. Encasing the highly miniaturised probe within a medical needle is aimed to allow insertion of the 'needle probe' deep into tissue, extending o ....Quantitative multi-modal optical imaging of deep tissue. This project aims to create new tools to quantify the structural and functional properties of tissue. Combining multiple optical imaging technologies (multi-modal) into a single, miniaturised probe, these tools could enable physiologists and biomedical researchers to obtain new insight into disease. Encasing the highly miniaturised probe within a medical needle is aimed to allow insertion of the 'needle probe' deep into tissue, extending optical imaging to areas not previously accessible. The project could develop novel quantification models to allow longitudinal assessment and comparison between subjects. Validating the tools with specific biomarkers, it could provide outcomes in breast and liver cancer, and a framework to explore other diseases.Read moreRead less
High-resolution elastography – Using optical micro-imaging of tissue mechanics to identify disease. Optical elastography, the probing of tissue’s micro-mechanical properties using optical imaging, offers new tools in surgery and pathology to improve differentiation of tissues. This project lays the groundwork for optical elastography to become a new medical micro-imaging modality by removing impediments to progress in this rapidly emerging field. On the micro-scale, between the scales of cells a ....High-resolution elastography – Using optical micro-imaging of tissue mechanics to identify disease. Optical elastography, the probing of tissue’s micro-mechanical properties using optical imaging, offers new tools in surgery and pathology to improve differentiation of tissues. This project lays the groundwork for optical elastography to become a new medical micro-imaging modality by removing impediments to progress in this rapidly emerging field. On the micro-scale, between the scales of cells and organs. This project will elucidate the origins of tissue mechanical contrast and determine limits on its measurement. It will develop a suite of probes: noncontact, endoscopic and needle, to enable access to all tissues in the body. To progress toward a new modality and inform our research, the project will test our tools on breast cancer tissues and burn scars.Read moreRead less
Three dimensional (3D) optical coherence tomography in cancer. This project will establish for the first time how well 3D optical coherence tomography, a form of medical imaging, can image cancer. Based on this, a version built into a needle will be developed which will enable extension much deeper into tissues than previously possible to image cancer and to guide related surgical procedures.
Magnetic Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications. This project will develop biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles for future generations of therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Applications include the reduction in overall toxicity of chemo- and radio- therapy by magnetic target drug delivery, enhanced ability to detect and diagnose diseases using magnetic binding/sorting techniques and an enhanced ability to repair detached retinas. The development of these products provides the potential ....Magnetic Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications. This project will develop biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles for future generations of therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Applications include the reduction in overall toxicity of chemo- and radio- therapy by magnetic target drug delivery, enhanced ability to detect and diagnose diseases using magnetic binding/sorting techniques and an enhanced ability to repair detached retinas. The development of these products provides the potential for the development of new commercial opportunities in biotechnology and biomedical science in which Australia has an excellent track record. The project will also enhance Australia's capabilities in both nanotechnologiocal and biotechnological sciences.Read moreRead less