Delivering Advanced Electrode Materials To The Clinic
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$702,604.00
Summary
This research will develop improved electrodes for interfacing neural tissue by combining the expertise of materials scientists and electrophysiologists with medical bionics researchers. This work is expected to deliver improved bionic devices to the clinic in order to treat a variety of disorders from blindness to the control of motor tremor in Parkinson's disease.
Optimising Respiratory Care Of The Preterm Infant Using Regional Volumetric Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$282,086.00
Summary
Preterm birth is defined by the fragile under-developed lung needing to engage in air-breathing. Most preterm babies need respiratory support, but used inappropriately these life-saving therapies can increase the risk of long-term lung injury. This Fellowship will support a program designed to generate clinically meaningful outcomes through molecular, translational and clinical studies founded on strong physiological and biological principles and innovative research techniques.
Hyperpolarized Helium MRI To Quantify Regional Lung Damage And Ventilation For Improvement Of Recruitment Strategy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,160.00
Summary
Many lung injuries need mechanical ventilation to reopen collapsed lung airspaces and supply oxygen to the patient. This study uses two methods to monitor the lungs during ventilation: Hyperpolarised helium MRI to image the airspace, and electrical impedance tomography to measure lung volume. This information will allow adjustment of ventilator pressure to maximize oxygen transfer without increasing lung damage. Quicker repair of lung damage and patient recovery are the benefits of this study.
Optimising Lung Protective Ventilation At Birth Using The Volumetric Response Of The Lung In A Preterm Lamb Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,021.00
Summary
Prematurity is a common problem which constitutes a major health-care burden. The preterm lung often cannot function independently at birth but is very fragile and susceptible to damage from the very first breathes of life. Life-saving mechanical ventilatory support must protect the lung from injury as well aid lung function. This project aims to improve ventilation strategies for supporting and protecting the preterm lung using novel approaches and innovative technologies.
Improving Spatial Resolution In Retinal Prostheses Through Novel Electrical Stimulation Techniques
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,390.00
Summary
This project aims to improve the resolution of bionic eyes and thus improve quality of living for the blind through novel electrical stimulation methods. Present commercial implants are inadequate in the amount of resolution they provide to conduct complex tasks such as independent navigation, reading and facial recognition. The proposed experiments using the new stimulation methods will inform a new generation of devices capable of high resolution without increasing the number of physical elect ....This project aims to improve the resolution of bionic eyes and thus improve quality of living for the blind through novel electrical stimulation methods. Present commercial implants are inadequate in the amount of resolution they provide to conduct complex tasks such as independent navigation, reading and facial recognition. The proposed experiments using the new stimulation methods will inform a new generation of devices capable of high resolution without increasing the number of physical electrodes.Read moreRead less
Early Identification Of Infants Who Will Benefit From Neural Rescue Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$206,320.00
Summary
Lack of oxygen supply before, during or immediately after birth can lead to severe disability or death. This occurs in about 1 in every 500 births and is one of the most important but unsolved problems in pediatrics. The costs (financial and other) to both the individuals involved, and the community in general, is very high. However the outlook for those affected by this condition is improving. Recent research has focused on the development of neural rescue therapies, which may decrease the exte ....Lack of oxygen supply before, during or immediately after birth can lead to severe disability or death. This occurs in about 1 in every 500 births and is one of the most important but unsolved problems in pediatrics. The costs (financial and other) to both the individuals involved, and the community in general, is very high. However the outlook for those affected by this condition is improving. Recent research has focused on the development of neural rescue therapies, which may decrease the extent of disabilities suffered by these children. The same treatments may also be helpful in children following near drowning and head trauma. Neural rescue therapies must be applied less than 24 hours following the event which has caused the reduction in oxygen supply. Thus, before these treatments can be tested, it is necessary to find a way to quickly tell which babies may benefit from the treatments. This study will trial a new method which is inexpensive and can be used without moving the baby away from its incubator. This technique involves a new application of an established technology to detect the redistribution of water within the brain one of the earliest signs of impending brain cell death. The research team consists of medical personnel from the intensive care nurseries of both the Royal Women's Hospital and the Mater Mother s Hospital, as well as scientific staff experienced in the use of this technology. If this technique is effective, it will enable babies to receive maximum benefit from new treatments and reduce long-term difficulties suffered by these children and their families.Read moreRead less
Improving Lung Protective Mechanical Ventilation In The Newborn Using Regional Lung Mechanics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$249,130.00
Summary
Premature babies are at risk of severe, and potentially long-term, lung damage. These complications can be minimised if babies lungs are optimally supported from birth. Dr Tingay will examine the influence of different strategies for using mechanical ventilators to help inflate the lung at birth, and their interactions with other therapies used to enhance lung maturity, using exciting new imaging technologies. It will provide new insights into helping vulnerable preterm babies.