Dynamic In Vivo Size & Shape Measurement Of The Human Upper Airway Using Endoscopic Long-range Optical Coherence Tomogra
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$184,250.00
Summary
This project will fund the construction of a clinically deployable prototype device to measure changes in upper airway size and shape in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. We have recently developed and validated a technique based on endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT). Preliminary in vivo studies have been performed in the human upper airway and the results published. To our knowledge, this is the only such system world-wide capable of making these important measurements. The tec ....This project will fund the construction of a clinically deployable prototype device to measure changes in upper airway size and shape in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. We have recently developed and validated a technique based on endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT). Preliminary in vivo studies have been performed in the human upper airway and the results published. To our knowledge, this is the only such system world-wide capable of making these important measurements. The technique has wide commercially applicability as it can be used to measure the internal dimensions of any hollow organ system.Read moreRead less
Development Of Quantitative Tools For Assessment Of Regional Cardiac Function By Echocardiography
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$209,430.00
Summary
The application of ultrasound imaging to the assessment of cardiac function (echocardiography) is an invaluable tool for the assessment of patients with known or suspected cardiac problems. The assessment of contraction in each region of the heart is probably the most important of the reasons for doing this test, as regional function is disturbed in patients with coronary artery disease, which is one of the most common causes of death in Australia. The problem is that this analysis is currently ....The application of ultrasound imaging to the assessment of cardiac function (echocardiography) is an invaluable tool for the assessment of patients with known or suspected cardiac problems. The assessment of contraction in each region of the heart is probably the most important of the reasons for doing this test, as regional function is disturbed in patients with coronary artery disease, which is one of the most common causes of death in Australia. The problem is that this analysis is currently completely subjective, and the reliability of the tool is based upon the availability of an experienced observer. This is particularly a problem in rural Australia, as most specialists with expertise in this modality work in the capital cities, and especially a problem in Queensland, where fewer than half of the population live in the capital. The cardiac imaging group at the University of Queensland have been working in collaboration with GE-Vingmed Ultrasound to develop a quantitative technique for the assessment of regional cardiac function since 1997. This collaboration has been the source of a number of published papers and presentations at international meetings. Our group is considered to be a world leader in the field and our industry partner is clearly the most focused of its competitors in addressing this problem. This submission seeks to address several remaining problems. The data thus far addressed function during stress, when the condition of most patients is similar. Tissue velocities are more variable at rest, and a more sophisticated approach is required to accurately measure the lower velocities in the resting state. This research plan seeks support for the development of a new, high frame-rate acquisition that would facilitate the examination of velocities relative to each other, so that translational motion of the heart does not influence the reading. This new method would then be validated against other techniques for assessing function and disease.Read moreRead less
Production Of A Novel Humanised Anti Dendritic Cell Therapeutic Antibody For Graft Versus Host Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$202,500.00
Summary
A transplant of bone marrow or other source of blood stem cells from a donor is often used to treat leukaemia patients whose disease has failed to respond to chemotherapy. The Mater Medical Research Institute has developed a world first dendritic cell depleting therapeutic antibody which may open a new strategy for the control of acute graft versus host disease, which is a very common and often fatal complication of bone marrow transplantation. The new antibody treatment is also likely to be use ....A transplant of bone marrow or other source of blood stem cells from a donor is often used to treat leukaemia patients whose disease has failed to respond to chemotherapy. The Mater Medical Research Institute has developed a world first dendritic cell depleting therapeutic antibody which may open a new strategy for the control of acute graft versus host disease, which is a very common and often fatal complication of bone marrow transplantation. The new antibody treatment is also likely to be useful for the prevention of rejection in solid organ transplantation. If successful, it will selectively control graft versus host disease, without compromising the essential anti-viral immunity and desired anti-leukemia activity of the graft.Read moreRead less