Towards direct imaging of neuronal currents with MRI. This project aims to develop novel neuronal current magnetic resonance imaging (nc-MRI) methods that harness the oscillatory behaviour of neuronal magnetic fields. Current methods of detecting neuronal activity in the living human brain have limited spatial and temporal resolution. Use of nc-MRI aims to overcome these limitations by imaging the effects on the MRI signal of small transient magnetic fields associated with neuronal activity. Sig ....Towards direct imaging of neuronal currents with MRI. This project aims to develop novel neuronal current magnetic resonance imaging (nc-MRI) methods that harness the oscillatory behaviour of neuronal magnetic fields. Current methods of detecting neuronal activity in the living human brain have limited spatial and temporal resolution. Use of nc-MRI aims to overcome these limitations by imaging the effects on the MRI signal of small transient magnetic fields associated with neuronal activity. Signal-to-noise ratio is at the limits of detectability using current imaging systems and nc-MRI is yet to be convincingly demonstrated. An integrated framework for simulating nc-MRI in the visual cortex is expected to be developed.Read moreRead less
Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in orthopaedics. The research in this proposal aims at developing new imaging systems that enable joints to be imaged while they are moving. This is an Australian first technology and will change the way in which diagnosis of joint diseases is done. The applications of this new technique include the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment in Osteoarthritis and related chronic joint diseases. Also, acute injuries to knees, hips, shoulders and other joints will be ....Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in orthopaedics. The research in this proposal aims at developing new imaging systems that enable joints to be imaged while they are moving. This is an Australian first technology and will change the way in which diagnosis of joint diseases is done. The applications of this new technique include the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment in Osteoarthritis and related chronic joint diseases. Also, acute injuries to knees, hips, shoulders and other joints will be able to be better diagnosed and hence improve treatment planning as a result.Read moreRead less
Intelligent training (iTraining) for the human Achilles tendon. The project aims to improve understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon plays a crucial role in human motor function and is also a structure that is commonly injured and notoriously difficult to treat. A major barrier to improving Achilles tendon function, preventing tendon injury and enhancing tendon repair is a poor understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon durin ....Intelligent training (iTraining) for the human Achilles tendon. The project aims to improve understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon plays a crucial role in human motor function and is also a structure that is commonly injured and notoriously difficult to treat. A major barrier to improving Achilles tendon function, preventing tendon injury and enhancing tendon repair is a poor understanding of the mechanical environment of the Achilles tendon during training and rehabilitation. The project aims to develop a better understanding of the loading conditions that optimise tendon metabolism. Based on this, it then intends to develop new technologies to estimate the mechanical behaviour of the human Achilles tendon in real time based on integrated use of wearable technology, and new training guidelines that will optimise human tendon adaptation.Read moreRead less
New open MRI Technology for Kinematic Orthopaedic Imaging. This application intends to significantly enhance Open MRI as applied to dynamic joint imaging by technological and methodological innovation. Expected outcomes include better technology for the imaging of joints under loaded movement and consequently, improved understanding of joint function and disease. This technology will provide unique ability in Australia and brings together highly skilled groups in Biomedical Engineering, medical ....New open MRI Technology for Kinematic Orthopaedic Imaging. This application intends to significantly enhance Open MRI as applied to dynamic joint imaging by technological and methodological innovation. Expected outcomes include better technology for the imaging of joints under loaded movement and consequently, improved understanding of joint function and disease. This technology will provide unique ability in Australia and brings together highly skilled groups in Biomedical Engineering, medical equipment manufacturing and design and musculo-skeletal imaging.Read moreRead less
Cardiac electrographic modelling and analysis. The outcomes of this project will improve the accuracy with which abnormal conduction pathways in the heart are found and will also use chaotic modelling tools to better predict the need and outcomes of patients with life threatening arrhythmias.
Rotating Radiofrequency Phased-array for 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This project aims to develop a new type of radiofrequency coil array to ensure high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with all its benefits, is available for a broader range of applications. High-field MRI offers faster scans with more detailed images than lower field systems. This enhanced sensitivity potentially enables smaller structures to be resolved in the body. At high fields, however, standard radiofrequen ....Rotating Radiofrequency Phased-array for 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This project aims to develop a new type of radiofrequency coil array to ensure high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with all its benefits, is available for a broader range of applications. High-field MRI offers faster scans with more detailed images than lower field systems. This enhanced sensitivity potentially enables smaller structures to be resolved in the body. At high fields, however, standard radiofrequency coils, an essential component of MRI systems, can distort images and induce potentially harmful tissue heating. The aim is to design and develop a rotating multi-channel radiofrequency coil array, with dedicated image reconstruction software, to overcome these limitations. This would facilitate detailed images that can be obtained quickly and safely.Read moreRead less
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Inhomogeneous Magnetic Fields-Part A: The Development of Imaging Methods Using Even Order Zonal Fields. Part B: Slice Correction Due to Non-linear Gradient Fields. The primary aims of this project are to contribute to the new generation of MRI methodologies through technical innovation, with particular emphasis on NMR imaging under inhomogeneous magnetic fields. The new techniques will be of enormous benefit for superconducting magnet design, reducing material usage ....Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Inhomogeneous Magnetic Fields-Part A: The Development of Imaging Methods Using Even Order Zonal Fields. Part B: Slice Correction Due to Non-linear Gradient Fields. The primary aims of this project are to contribute to the new generation of MRI methodologies through technical innovation, with particular emphasis on NMR imaging under inhomogeneous magnetic fields. The new techniques will be of enormous benefit for superconducting magnet design, reducing material usage, and eliminating the need for the expensive post-production shimming process. The entailed project is extremely challenging, while preliminary calculations presented in this application show some progress towards demonstration of feasibility. The program is an ambitious one with a full R&D program over 3 years, which will provide leadership, and to both foster and focus research interest in Australian engineering and scientific endeavors in the field of Magnetic Resonance technology.Read moreRead less
High Field Magnetic Resonance Engineering. The use of high resolution MRI is increasingly important in the quest for molecular imaging and the development of a range of gene therapies, stem cell research and the trialling of new drugs. This research will add momentum to Australia's health technology research community with positive impact on its international research and development profile. Successful outcomes will improve both the applicability and cost-effectiveness of numerous current and ....High Field Magnetic Resonance Engineering. The use of high resolution MRI is increasingly important in the quest for molecular imaging and the development of a range of gene therapies, stem cell research and the trialling of new drugs. This research will add momentum to Australia's health technology research community with positive impact on its international research and development profile. Successful outcomes will improve both the applicability and cost-effectiveness of numerous current and potential medical and non-medical imaging systems with subsequent potential for improved diagnosis in the biotech and health sectors in Australia and overseas. Successful outcomes will provide economic returns through licensing payments from the generated intellectual property.Read moreRead less
Transceive Phased Arrays for Parallel Imaging in High Field Magnetic Resonance Microscopy. This project will contribute to the development of a new generation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems that provide new and innovative features capable of significantly increasing the resolution and /or speed of imaging. The economic benefit of being a developer of this technology is clear and significant. These new systems will enhance the efficiency and power of clinical diagnostic testing. Specifica ....Transceive Phased Arrays for Parallel Imaging in High Field Magnetic Resonance Microscopy. This project will contribute to the development of a new generation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems that provide new and innovative features capable of significantly increasing the resolution and /or speed of imaging. The economic benefit of being a developer of this technology is clear and significant. These new systems will enhance the efficiency and power of clinical diagnostic testing. Specifically, the enabling of molecular imaging will enhance the study of many more disease states and rapid assessment of new in vivo therapeutic agents. The side-stream benefit to biomedical research and development in Australia is therefore substantial. Read moreRead less
Advanced MRI Engineering. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is rapidly becoming the medical imaging modality of choice for soft tissue injuries. The technology development of MRI, however, is relatively young with only 20 years or so of commercial development. The major aim of this project is to contribute to this and the next generation of MRI scanners through technical innovation. New engineering design methods will be developed and used to generate novel superconducting magnet systems and associated ....Advanced MRI Engineering. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is rapidly becoming the medical imaging modality of choice for soft tissue injuries. The technology development of MRI, however, is relatively young with only 20 years or so of commercial development. The major aim of this project is to contribute to this and the next generation of MRI scanners through technical innovation. New engineering design methods will be developed and used to generate novel superconducting magnet systems and associated equipment. A strong focus of the design work will be to include electromagnetic models of the patient in the equipment design. This will not only ensure improved accuracy and speed of MRI scans, but also better patient safety, comfort and clinician access.Read moreRead less