Development Of A Fibre-optic Flow Sensor To Monitor Blood Platelet Adhesive Function.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,550.00
Summary
The ability to accurately diagnose platelet dysfunction is key to the clinical management of many cardiovascular diseases which represent a major cause of mortality in the industrialised world. At present there is no clinically robust instrument that can accurately assess abnormal platelet function under conditions that closely mimic the physiological environment. We aim to develop a sensitive prototype instrument for the clinical assessment of platelet function. We propose to develop this medic ....The ability to accurately diagnose platelet dysfunction is key to the clinical management of many cardiovascular diseases which represent a major cause of mortality in the industrialised world. At present there is no clinically robust instrument that can accurately assess abnormal platelet function under conditions that closely mimic the physiological environment. We aim to develop a sensitive prototype instrument for the clinical assessment of platelet function. We propose to develop this medical device as a relatively cheap and portable point of care instrument that can be marketed internationally.Read moreRead less
Spectrometer Module For Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectroscopy In Glucose Analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,151.00
Summary
Scientists have developed a number of incredibly powerful and sophisticated techniques to identify chemicals and measure their concentrations in the laboratory. However, it remains a major challenge to perform these measurements under everyday circumstances. For example, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has gained widespread recognition as a technique for trace chemical detection, but it remains confined to a small number of specialist laboratories. For this reason, Dr Paul Stoddart at S ....Scientists have developed a number of incredibly powerful and sophisticated techniques to identify chemicals and measure their concentrations in the laboratory. However, it remains a major challenge to perform these measurements under everyday circumstances. For example, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has gained widespread recognition as a technique for trace chemical detection, but it remains confined to a small number of specialist laboratories. For this reason, Dr Paul Stoddart at Swinburne University of Technology recognised a need for more practical SERS probes for field applications. His team has now developed a proprietary SERS probe, based on an optical fibre that is little thicker than a hair. These optical fibres can form the core element of field-portable SERS spectrometers. This work has recently been boosted by the discovery in the United States that SERS can be used to monitor glucose in blood. The development of a continuous glucose monitor has long been a holy grail of sensor research, because of the millions of diabetes sufferers who regularly perform the painful finger prick test. For SERS to provide a practical solution to glucose monitoring, it is recognised that SERS optical fibres are needed for minimally invasive probes. With support from Biopharmica and the Diabetes Australia Research Trust, Dr Stoddart's team has now demonstrated that sensitive SERS probes can be produced in large quantities. The next objective is to develop a prototype low-cost SERS spectrometer for use as part of a continuous glucose monitoring system. This will require the development of a laser source and spectroscopic system that can interface to the SERS probes. It is proposed to use an Australian designed and manufactured laser system based on a low-power narrow-linewidth laser diode. The project plans to bring together Swinburne University, OptoTech and Grey Innovation in order to develop a commercially scaleable and robust device.Read moreRead less
Microfluidic Device Fo The Quantitative Assessment Of Blood Platelet Aggregation Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$270,114.00
Summary
This project will develop a low-cost microfluidic chip which utilises dynamic shear stress to assess the propensity of blood clotting. This tool will analyze a tiny sample of blood and will predict excessive or ineffective clotting. The project will develop the chip and a low-cost 'chip reader' such that the tool can be operated at the point of care with only basic training.
Rapid, Cost-effective, Diagnosis And Monitoring Of Multiple Sclerosis By Novel Multifocal Evoked Potential Methods
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$152,463.00
Summary
A new technology for concurrently stimulating both eyes, and recording thousands of responses from the brain, will be tested for its effectiveness in diagnosing and tracking progression in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and the degree to which it complements Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Our understanding of MS has changed in recent years. It is now recognised to have two phases: an initial inflammatory phase, and a secondary progressive phase. The progressive phase produces the inexorable increas ....A new technology for concurrently stimulating both eyes, and recording thousands of responses from the brain, will be tested for its effectiveness in diagnosing and tracking progression in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and the degree to which it complements Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Our understanding of MS has changed in recent years. It is now recognised to have two phases: an initial inflammatory phase, and a secondary progressive phase. The progressive phase produces the inexorable increasing disability of MS. MS only affects about 0.04% of Australians but the early onset of MS, the high cost of medication, and the prolonged period of disability, mean that the cost to Australia is about $2 billion pa. MRI quantifies the inflammatory phase well but is poorly correlated with the debilitating secondary progression. The common treatments for MS target the inflammatory phase but not the causes of secondary progression, which are unknown. Current diagnostic methods mean diagnosis can take years, meaning that patients can be denied treatment for some time. The applicants have published experiments on 50 MS patients and 27 normal subjects using a variant of the new method. Not only has it shown high diagnostic accuracy, but the new method seems to provide data on the progressive phase, suggesting strongly that it is complementary to MRI. The new method is also much cheaper to set up and run than MRI and so could provide cost-effective means for monitoring patient condition and testing new drugs that are effective against the progressive phase. The applicants have considerable experience commercialising diagnostic technologies, and are currently working with an Australian company developing new diagnostic hardware. That hardware has been adapted to perform the presently proposed experiments. Overall it is reasonable to assume that positive outcomes will be translated into economic and health benefits for Australians.Read moreRead less
Development Of A Prototype Production System For Optical Fibre Diagnostic Probes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$191,598.00
Summary
Advances in nanotechnology have led to new techniques for the precise fabrication of nanometre scale structures. A recent breakthrough by the applicants now allows high-quality nanostructures to be stamped onto the tip of low-cost optical fibre probes. When coated with silver, these sensitive probes can be used for continuous monitoring of blood glucose in diabetics and in critical care situations. This project aims to develop a prototype manufacturing system for optical fibre glucose probes.
A New Non-invasive Diagnostic Technique Based On Detection Of Exhaled Respiratory Pathogens.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$179,300.00
Summary
We developed a special collection mask and showed that the breath of people with colds or flu contains a tiny amount of virus. Currently, diagnostic samples are collected by putting a tube into the airways - this is very uncomfortable. Our masks may provide a new and more comfortable way to diagnose lung infections. We want to build better masks and ways to detect viruses and bacteria to test out this method. This may create a new test that will improve diagnosis and treatment.