Effects Of Pin Biomechanics, Coating Material And Surface Roughness On The Pin-bone Interface In External Repair
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,000.00
Summary
Some fractures require external fixation, anchored with metal pins in the bone fragments. The reatment is generally successful, although the pin tracts often loosen and become infected. This complication may jeopardise fracture healing and must be treated. The purpose of this project is to determine what aspects of pin design predispose to these problems at the pin-bone interface. Is it the way the pins are initially inserted, perhaps not tightly enough so that the pin is unstable, or perhaps to ....Some fractures require external fixation, anchored with metal pins in the bone fragments. The reatment is generally successful, although the pin tracts often loosen and become infected. This complication may jeopardise fracture healing and must be treated. The purpose of this project is to determine what aspects of pin design predispose to these problems at the pin-bone interface. Is it the way the pins are initially inserted, perhaps not tightly enough so that the pin is unstable, or perhaps too tight, causing microcracks in the bone? Is it the material of the pin, which might be improved with a bioactive coating? Is it the surface roughness which causes different responses of bone cells? Would it help to have an antibiotic pin? This proposal is designed to answer these questions. The biomechanics of the pin will first be studied with computer models and then tested in the laboratory. The loosening and infection associated with different types of pin will then be studied biologically. The results of the study will clarify the roles of pin biomechanics, coating and surface roughness, leading to improvements in design and better outcomes in fracture patients.Read moreRead less
The Next Generation Of Biomaterials; In Vivo Assessment Of Lumbar Spinal Fusion Biodegradable Interbody Cages
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$85,932.00
Summary
Back pain represents one of the major health and economic problems facing the western world. Surgery is an inevitable outcome for many sufferers and involves the implantation of metallic rods screws, plates or cages. Biodegradable implants have theoretical advantages, but until now no material has existed that can sustain he rigours of implantation into a load bearing site. We have developed such a material which will lead to improvements in the treatment of many orthopaedic conditions.
Development Of Flightless Antibody Therapy For Treating Wounds
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$194,071.00
Summary
Chronic wounds, diabetic ulcers, injuries in response to trauma, burns and scalds form a medical need which will only expand as the population ages and the diabetic epidemic grows. In our studies, we have shown that Flightless I (FliI), an actin-remodelling protein, is a negative regulator of incisional wound healing. We are now developing a new antibody therapy to reduce FliI levels in wounds thereby leading to improved wound repair outcomes.
Newborn babies are at risk of becoming short of oxygen during delivery and sustaining brain damage. Seizures may cause further damage to the brain because they release damaging chemicals or make extra energy demands on the brain that cannot be met. To detect seizures, it is necessary to measure the EEG, the tiny electrical signals from the brain. We are proposing to automatically detect and count seizures, building upon 8 years of fundamental EEG signal processing research work we have undertake ....Newborn babies are at risk of becoming short of oxygen during delivery and sustaining brain damage. Seizures may cause further damage to the brain because they release damaging chemicals or make extra energy demands on the brain that cannot be met. To detect seizures, it is necessary to measure the EEG, the tiny electrical signals from the brain. We are proposing to automatically detect and count seizures, building upon 8 years of fundamental EEG signal processing research work we have undertaken. We anticipate that the product will be of major commercial interest. We will further explore what is a rapidly expanding marketplace and ensure we maximize the commercial return on this product.Read moreRead less