Regulation Of Key Pathways Causing Peri-implant Bone Loss.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,639.00
Summary
The failure of bone prostheses is becoming a major health problem in our aging population. Despite the impressive success of joint replacement surgery, a significant number of arthroplasties fail. It is now apparent that most implants fail due to bone loss around them which leads to loosening. This project aims to obtain a better understanding of the causes of implant failure and find ways to extend the life of these implants .
The Role Of Osteocytes In Particle Induced Osteolysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,196.00
Summary
Hip replacements often fail due to the loss of adjacent bone. Metal or polyethylene particles are produced as the prosthesis bearing surface wears but how do these particles lead to bone loss? Our work suggests involvement of osteocytes within the bone mineral, which are increasingly understood to drive bone physiology and pathology. We will explore the role of the osteocytes by examining their response to particles, which may identify a new target to prevent particle-induced bone loss.
QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF LOOSENING IN HIP ARTHROPLASTIES USING MECHANICAL VIBRATION DIAGNOSTICS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$185,665.00
Summary
Recent advances and improvements made to the mechanical design of artificial joints have led to greater strength, fatigue life and wear resistance. However, this extension to the working life of joint replacements has led to patients becoming increasingly vulnerable to the problem of joint loosening. There are over 500 000 hip joint replacements performed every year, on a worldwide basis. Of these 7 to 13% will require revision surgery because of loosening at some stage of their working life. Th ....Recent advances and improvements made to the mechanical design of artificial joints have led to greater strength, fatigue life and wear resistance. However, this extension to the working life of joint replacements has led to patients becoming increasingly vulnerable to the problem of joint loosening. There are over 500 000 hip joint replacements performed every year, on a worldwide basis. Of these 7 to 13% will require revision surgery because of loosening at some stage of their working life. This is becoming a major concern to health services around the world since revision surgery is associated with a higher risk to the patient and costs are far greater than for the primary operation. Current diagnostic techniques using radiographic imaging are both invasive and lack diagnostic accuracy. The ability to detect joint loosening and to discriminate between the various causes of joint loosening following arthroplasty is of great importance to the success of subsequent care plans. This study will be the first in the world to assess the validity of a new diagnostic test that uses low energy mechanical vibration to quantify the degree of loosening in both components of the implanted hip joint. Once the technique has been proven it could readily be extended to evaluate the degree of fixation of other implanted prostheses used to replace the knee, ankle or joints of the upper limbs.Read moreRead less
Radiostereometric Analysis Of The Effect Of A Large Articulation On Prosthetic Wear And Migration After Hip Replacement
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$192,186.00
Summary
At total hip replacement, there has been a recent trend to use prostheses with a larger ball and liner in the socket. This may decrease the risk of post-operative dislocation, but may also increase the amount of wear, leading to bone loss and loosening of prostheses, which may then require replacement. This project will use a special type of x-ray to determine whether wear and movement of these new prostheses is clinically acceptable, so that they can be used with confidence in patients.
Responsive Endovascular Neuromodulation: Detection And Suppression Of Epileptic Seizures
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,487,455.00
Summary
For millions of people with epilepsy, seizures can be debilitating and dangerous. Medical devices approved for seizure prevention require risky open-brain surgery and traumatic electrode insertion. The Stentrode can record and stimulate the brain from within a blood vessel. By optimising it for delivery into small vessels, designing software to detect seizures, and conducting chronic safety studies, I will create a tool that can detect and suppress epileptic seizures without the surgical risk.
Safety And Efficacy Of A Surgically Implanted Suprachoroidal Retinal Prosthesis (Bionic Eye)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,233,826.00
Summary
A bionic eye is a electronic device which can stimulate the remaining visual pathway in a person who is blind, to restore some basic vision. Our team have previously shown that our novel bionic eye device can be safely implanted in a patient, and can give improvements in vision when tested in a laboratory environment. The next stage of the research is to provide patients with a more advanced device, which will contain more electrodes and also be able to be taken home.