A Wearable Motion Analysis System: Novel Clinical and Research Applications. Because the biomechanical analysis of human motion is confined to the laboratory, it often has restricted applicability. This is a recognized limitation, because laboratory studies cannot capture the true picture of how individuals move under conditions encountered during daily living. Consequently there are many situations where a more complete and realistic knowledge of biomechanics would be significant advantage such ....A Wearable Motion Analysis System: Novel Clinical and Research Applications. Because the biomechanical analysis of human motion is confined to the laboratory, it often has restricted applicability. This is a recognized limitation, because laboratory studies cannot capture the true picture of how individuals move under conditions encountered during daily living. Consequently there are many situations where a more complete and realistic knowledge of biomechanics would be significant advantage such as in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of movement disorders and injuries. The research project described in this proposal would for the first time, obtain comprehensive biomechanical data outside the laboratory using a fully integrated wearable motion analysis system.Read moreRead less
Noval design of a Bi-Ventricular Assist Device (BVAD) Centrifugal Heart Pump as an Implantable Total Artificial Heart. In Australia, 40%(50,797) of all deaths each year are related to heart disease and accounted for 12% (A$4Billion) of total recurrent health expenditure. This innovative research aims at developing a single biventricular assist device (BVAD) driven by a magnetically suspended double-sided centrifugal pump impeller. Current techniques require two implantable devices, thus preventi ....Noval design of a Bi-Ventricular Assist Device (BVAD) Centrifugal Heart Pump as an Implantable Total Artificial Heart. In Australia, 40%(50,797) of all deaths each year are related to heart disease and accounted for 12% (A$4Billion) of total recurrent health expenditure. This innovative research aims at developing a single biventricular assist device (BVAD) driven by a magnetically suspended double-sided centrifugal pump impeller. Current techniques require two implantable devices, thus preventing smaller patients from access to BVAD technology. The expected outcomes will be a significantly small and compact device and provide an alternative to open-heart transplantation, thus helping to alleviate the demand on donor hearts, as well as the strain on the Australian Heath Care System caused by cardiovascular disease.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
A kinetic measuring system for assistive devices used in paediatric gait. Each year, a proportion of children are born who suffer from disabilities, which limits their ability to walk efficiently. Gait analysis can identify limiting factors in walking ability, and can assess the clinical outcome of treatments. Children who use assistive devices, such as walking frames, are denied the full benefits of gait analysis due to limitations in current equipment. This project addresses this need through ....A kinetic measuring system for assistive devices used in paediatric gait. Each year, a proportion of children are born who suffer from disabilities, which limits their ability to walk efficiently. Gait analysis can identify limiting factors in walking ability, and can assess the clinical outcome of treatments. Children who use assistive devices, such as walking frames, are denied the full benefits of gait analysis due to limitations in current equipment. This project addresses this need through the development of a portable, load-measuring instrument. When integrated with existing equipment, a comprehensive description of assisted walking gait will be possible. This will lead to greater understanding and improved treatment outcomes for such children.Read moreRead less
Understanding the biomechanical effects of fixation strategies to improve the technology of fracture management. Severe limb trauma is the leading cause of disability to people of wage-earning age, and 150,000 Australians are hospitalised with fractures each year. Beyond the direct costs to the nation of $1000 million annually, temporary and permanent loss of limb functionality have a significant impact on productivity and quality of life. The computational models developed in this project will ....Understanding the biomechanical effects of fixation strategies to improve the technology of fracture management. Severe limb trauma is the leading cause of disability to people of wage-earning age, and 150,000 Australians are hospitalised with fractures each year. Beyond the direct costs to the nation of $1000 million annually, temporary and permanent loss of limb functionality have a significant impact on productivity and quality of life. The computational models developed in this project will address critical gaps in the knowledge of fracture healing and the influence of different fixation devices. The project outcomes will provide a basis for tailoring fixation technologies for more reliable outcomes and minimised risk of non-union and complications, and thereby reducing physical impairment and the socio-economic burden of fractures.Read moreRead less
Direct measurement of the kinetics of trans-femoral amputee gait during activities of daily living. This project involves the use of a novel technique to accurately measure the loads placed upon the lower limbs of above-knee amputees. Included in the subject group will be a number of amputees fitted with an artificial leg fitted directly into the bone. The ability to monitor a range of activities is possible by the use of a wireless telemetry system. The outcomes of this work will benefit ampute ....Direct measurement of the kinetics of trans-femoral amputee gait during activities of daily living. This project involves the use of a novel technique to accurately measure the loads placed upon the lower limbs of above-knee amputees. Included in the subject group will be a number of amputees fitted with an artificial leg fitted directly into the bone. The ability to monitor a range of activities is possible by the use of a wireless telemetry system. The outcomes of this work will benefit amputees around the world, as well as clinicians and companies who are dedicated to developing significant improvements in the functional abilities of subjects who have suffered amputation.Read moreRead less
Innovative approach to design a new osseointegrated implant for transfemoral amputees with better resistance to fractures. Transfemoral amputees fitted with an osseointegrated implant are experiencing numerous valuable benefits compare to their previous method conventional attachment. However, 40% of them present an early loosening of the implant or ruptures of the abutment. These problems are related to the load regime acting on the fixation system during post-operative rehabilitation and daily ....Innovative approach to design a new osseointegrated implant for transfemoral amputees with better resistance to fractures. Transfemoral amputees fitted with an osseointegrated implant are experiencing numerous valuable benefits compare to their previous method conventional attachment. However, 40% of them present an early loosening of the implant or ruptures of the abutment. These problems are related to the load regime acting on the fixation system during post-operative rehabilitation and daily life activities. In this project, the direct measurement of the actual load applied on the abutment during:
· the load bearing exercises is essential to refine the post- operative rehabilitation program.
· every-day activities is crucial to improve the design and
testing of the implants and abutments.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354734
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
The Australian Research Network for Medical Devices: advanced technology solutions for patients and practitioners. Medical Device technologies embrace a wide range of scientific, engineering and medical knowledge, with the goal of assisting a clinical professional (doctor or nurse) deliver a service to a patient in an efficacious, cost effective manner. Development of appropriate medical devices, whether for diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease or disability, is critical to improving h ....The Australian Research Network for Medical Devices: advanced technology solutions for patients and practitioners. Medical Device technologies embrace a wide range of scientific, engineering and medical knowledge, with the goal of assisting a clinical professional (doctor or nurse) deliver a service to a patient in an efficacious, cost effective manner. Development of appropriate medical devices, whether for diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease or disability, is critical to improving health care and reducing health care costs. To be successful, a device must include all relevant disciplines in the research, development and testing phases. This network will bring together these groups, promoting knowledge sharing and cross-disciplinary investigations that illuminate current device limitations and potential solutions.Read moreRead less