Author: csfh-control

More frequently, we see technological advancements in wearables that are transforming the healthcare landscape, and our industry partner, Santevation, based in Melbourne, is at the forefront of creating technologies and products designed to restore health and improve longevity.

Collaborating with stakeholders globally in medical devices, hospitals, and universities, Santevation, under the Hub, is working with research teams across UNSW and the University of Sydney on three innovative projects involving flexible pressure sensors, wearable ultrasound devices and biocompatible materials. The projects range from sensor fabrication, characterisation, and product prototyping to sensor arrays for pressure mapping, diagnosis, and developing wearable ultrasound devices.

As technology continues to evolve, the potential for wearables and devices to improve lives is becoming increasingly promising, and Santevation is undoubtedly at the forefront of this exciting frontier. Adding to their innovation, Santevation is proud to have successfully participated in the research and development of infant skincare products under the “Baobei 1000” brand. Our dedication to providing safe and effective products for infants has been a fulfilling journey.

Advancing Infant Skincare: Santevation’s Role in Developing the “Baobei 1000” Brand

The brand name “Baobei 1000” is inspired by Professor David Barker’s DOHaD theory (Developmental Origins of Health and Disease), which emphasises the significant impact of early life environment, nutrition, psychological, and social conditions on an infant’s growth and long-term health. The first 1,000 days of life are particularly crucial in shaping the future of human health.

“Baobei 1000” prioritises safety and effectiveness, recognising that infants have a more delicate skin barrier, necessitating higher standards for ingredient safety. In its initial phase, two product series were developed: a very gentle skincare series designed for newborns aged 0-60 days and a skin protection series specifically for babies aged 0-3 years and above with eczema. Santevation, in collaboration with Huashan Hospital, affiliated with Fudan University and Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, has empowered the “Baobei 1000” brand from multiple perspectives in China.

Medical experts provided fundamental requirements and design concepts, aiming to create segmented product lines based on the characteristics of newborn and infant skin. They conducted comparative studies on the components of natural and synthetic vernix caseosa, used safer raw materials, and employed lipid encapsulation technology to slowly release moisturising ingredients, extending hydration duration. Based on these insights, Santevation formulated solutions for the synergistic enhancement of raw materials and compound combinations. Our designs utilised a liquid crystal emulsification system and high-quality plant extract complexes to form a protective skin layer while eliminating potentially risky ingredients such as sulphates and benzene compounds, thus enhancing product safety.

Since their launch, the products have received widespread acclaim from medical experts and parents, providing relief to many babies suffering from dry, itchy skin and eczema. For instance, a 2-year-old Chinese baby who had recurrent eczema outbreaks in Canada experienced remarkable improvement after returning to China and using Baobei 1000’s “Subtraction and Addition” product combination, much to the astonishment of her mother.

Additionally, many pregnant women have shown significant interest in the 0-60 days product series. They seek not only to use it for their soon-to-be-born babies but also to benefit themselves during pregnancy, believing that safe bathing and skincare products are crucial during this period.

Santevation is honoured to contribute to this innovative project, and we remain committed to advancing safe, effective skincare solutions for infants and expectant mothers. You can find out more about Santevation and ongoing projects at: www.santevation.com.

The Australian Research Council (ARC) today announced $22.5 million in research funding for 50 Early Career Industry Fellowships over 3 years under the Industry Fellowships Programs to help build innovation in the industry, community organisation, not-for-profit, and other government and publicly funded research sectors, and to facilitate the adoption, translation and commercialisation of Australian research over time.

Our Hub Postdoctoral Fellows, Drs Shanmuga Sundar Dhanabalan and Md Ataur Rahman, at RMIT’s Functional Materials and Microsystems under the leadership of Professor Madhu Bhaskaran and Professor Sharath Sriram have each been awarded one of the prestigious Early Career Industry Fellowships with our Industry Partners Vlepis and nthalmic. Congratulations!

Dr Shanmuga Sundar’s project, along with nthalmic and Sleeptite, focused on innovative materials and manufacturing for flexible pressure sensing systems. The project aimed to develop a flexible pressure sensing system using soft electronics technology with high sensitivity, fast response time, and high stability through advanced design and materials technology. The project is expected to generate new knowledge in soft electronics and sensors using innovative materials and an efficient manufacturing approach.

Dr Md Ataur Rahman’s project with Vlepis is focused on cyber-secure, battery-free, and wireless wearable patch technology. The aim is to investigate wearables’ technological and manufacturing challenges and integrate prominent high-frequency electrical, optical, and chemical signals on a single tiny patch. The project is expected to benefit national security and defence, agriculture, manufacturing, and human and animal health sectors with remote area accessibility.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate these outstanding achievements!

For more information: ARC media release

The Australian Government is committed to securing a stronger future for the country’s manufacturing industry, and co-investment plans play a crucial role in achieving this goal. These plans aim to rebuild, modernise and diversify Australian manufacturing, which will benefit the economy and local communities. A thriving manufacturing industry is vital to improving economic resilience and building a smart and diverse economy in Australia.

The co-investment plans focus on seven priority areas identified by the government and provide information on areas of investment that hold promise. They also outline potential further actions that could help build ecosystems that support manufacturing growth and competitiveness in these priority areas.

Today we welcome the launch of the Medical Science Co-investment Plan. The Plan identifies potential investment opportunities in the areas including:
– Digital health
– Medical devices
– Innovative therapeutics
– Sustainability

These co-investment plans are a result of a collaborative effort between the government, industry, peak bodies, academia and unions.

Learn more: https://www.industry.gov.au/MedicalScienceCo-investmentPlan

Congratulations to our Hub Chief Investigator, Scientia Professor Justin Gooding. Today, the Australian Academy of Science recognises him for his outstanding contributions to science, awarding him the highly prestigious honorific award, the 2024 David Craig Medal and Lecture.

Watch Justin’s personalised video profile:

Scientia Professor Justin Gooding is an international leader in the field of surface chemistry; in particular, he is renowned as a leading authority in the modification of surfaces for the development of better sensing devices. Characterised by using molecular to nanoscale control, his science systematically addresses fundamental questions in electrochemistry and biology, as well as general challenges facing many sensors and analytical devices. He has made outstanding contributions to fundamental and applied research using self-assembled monolayers to fabricate molecular scale constructs on surfaces that provided new measurement tools. Professor Gooding’s work has shown not only how to design and fabricate sophisticated surface architecture for sensing, but he has also changed thinking on both the level of control that is possible and the types of information that can be acquired using that control.

Find out more from the Australian Academy of Science:
www.science.org.au

The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) team had the privilege of hosting Hub Director Professor Chun Wang recently to discuss the consistent progress of the team within the overall Hub. The visit was productive and insightful, with the team sharing their innovative ideas and research findings.

To further the conversation on engagement, Drs Rewa Wright and Nicole Carroll weighed and pitched an idea incorporating visual arts as a research translation method which will engage the public and generate future funding support. We envisage a public exhibition of Hubs research would be accessible to a wide range of Australians, and incorporate industry and professional as well as school and community science group visits. The idea was well-received by the team and sparked ongoing discussions on how to engage our next generation of future leaders. While this would be led by the QUT team, we would collect and curate research from across the entire Hub in a large public exhibition.

The QUT team currently consists of several esteemed Hub Chief Investigators, including Professor YuanTong Gu, Head of School, Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, who also leads the ARC Training Centre for Joint Biomechanics. Professor Prashant Sonar and Associate Professor Liangzhi Kou, Drs Ting Liao, Zhaojun Han, Rewa Wright, Nicole Carroll.

The meeting was an excellent platform for the QUT team to exchange insights and ideas and explore new avenues for research and innovation.

We look forward to future visits to QUT!

Addressing Challenges in Neuromodulation

Neuromodulation, acknowledged for its efficacy in treating chronic, intractable neuropathic pain, is a focal point of research at SPRC. The ongoing research delves into refining methods of programming, exploring clinical indications, targeting diverse populations, and overcoming the challenge of decreasing device size while maintaining safety and efficacy. Despite the technological advancements, a notable concern voiced by patients revolves around the difficulties and burdens associated with recharging their devices, potentially leading to suboptimal usage and diminished patient satisfaction. SPMC’s visionary aim is to develop the world’s first implantable battery device capable of harvesting and storing energy generated by the body’s own systems to power spinal cord stimulators. This ambitious initiative seeks to eradicate the clinical barriers to neuromodulation, ultimately improving the patient experience and enhancing outcomes in chronic pain management.

SPRC Clinical Trials: Catalysts for Progress

SPRC’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of pain medicine is exemplified through its active participation in numerous national and international clinical trials. Our steadfast adherence to rigorous ethical standards, encompassing human ethics and hospital governance approvals, underscores our dedication to upholding scientific integrity.
A milestone is the successful completion of the SALIENT trial, a 9-month investigation into the efficacy of SX600, a dexamethasone derivative administered via lumbosacral transforaminal epidural injection for radicular pain. Notably, the Sydney Pain Research Centre enrolled the second-highest number of participants globally. Additionally, our involvement in groundbreaking trials such as those conducted with Nalu Medical and Medtronic further underscores our comprehensive and patient-centric approach to pain management. The Nalu Medical trial focused on evaluating the efficacy and safety of the Nalu Neurostimulation System, renowned for its compact size and potential to mitigate discomfort at the surgical site while providing effective pain relief. Furthermore, as the inaugural site for the NeuroSense study, we have pioneered the evaluation of long-term patient experience with the Medtronic Closed-Loop SCS System. This cutting-edge technology, spearheaded by Dr. Mohabbati, introduces specialized features to prevent overstimulation, enhance patient satisfaction, and potentially reduce overall pain intensity.

Collaboration with UNSW: Leveraging Collective Expertise

In line with its commitment to collaborative research, SPMC actively collaborates with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) as part of the ARC Research Hub for Connected Sensors for Health. This collaboration harnesses interdisciplinary expertise to address challenges in biophysical and biochemical sensors, energy solutions, and data analytics for enhanced health outcomes. The integration of UNSW’s team into the hub adds depth and breadth to the research initiatives, fostering an environment where collective knowledge propels the boundaries of healthcare innovation.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for Transformative Healthcare

Smart materials in biomedical devices might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but they’re a really cool reality shaping the future of healthcare. They can be integrated into medical devices and hold the promise of improving the quality of life for countless individuals.

Smart materials in biomedical devices might sound like a concept from a science fiction movie, but they’re actually a fascinating reality shaping the future of healthcare. Imagine materials that not only serve a purpose but can also adapt, respond, and even communicate within our bodies. These materials, known as smart materials, are revolutionizing the field of biomedical devices.

So, what exactly are these smart materials?

Well, think of them as materials that have a bit of a brain. They possess unique properties that allow them to sense changes in their environment and respond accordingly. In the realm of healthcare, these materials are engineered to interact with biological systems, making them incredibly versatile for various medical applications.
One of the key features of smart materials is their responsiveness. They can react to changes in temperature, pH levels, light, or even mechanical forces. For instance, imagine a material that can change its shape in response to body heat or a substance that can release a drug precisely when and where it’s needed. These materials have the potential to revolutionize drug delivery systems.

The Role of Smart Materials in Biomedical Devices:

In the field of healthcare, smart materials are at the forefront of creating groundbreaking biomedical devices. These devices are designed to interact seamlessly with the human body, enhancing treatment precision and patient comfort. From implantable sensors that monitor vital signs to drug delivery systems that respond to specific bodily cues, smart materials have opened up a realm of possibilities.

Let’s delve into some examples of how smart materials are transforming biomedical devices:
1. Drug Delivery Systems: Smart materials can be designed to release drugs in a controlled and targeted manner. Imagine tiny particles that carry medicine and only release it when they reach the specific site of an injury or disease. This targeted drug delivery minimizes side effects and maximizes the therapeutic effect.

2. Tissue Engineering: In the field of regenerative medicine, smart materials play a crucial role. They can act as scaffolds, providing support and structure for tissue growth. These materials can mimic the natural environment of cells, guiding their growth and aiding in the regeneration of damaged tissues or organs.

3. Biosensors: Smart materials can be integrated into devices that detect and monitor changes in the body. They can sense biomarkers, glucose levels, or even infections. This technology allows for early detection of diseases and real-time monitoring of a patient’s health, providing invaluable insights for timely interventions.

4. Artificial Muscles: Emulating Nature’s Design. Among the incredible applications of smart materials in healthcare, artificial muscles stand as a testament to innovation inspired by nature. These muscles, also known as electroactive polymers, imitate the functioning of human muscles. They contract, expand, and generate force when stimulated by an electrical charge, replicating the intricate movements of our own musculature. Artificial muscles hold immense promise in various medical applications. Their ability to replicate natural muscle movements opens doors to advancements in prosthetics, creating more lifelike and functional artificial limbs. Moreover, these muscles play a pivotal role in developing assistive devices such as exoskeletons, aiding individuals with mobility impairments to regain movement and independence.

Additionally, researchers at UNSW and Hannover Medical School have developed artificial heart muscles (ventricular assist devices) where artificial muscle-powered soft robotic devices can mimic the action of complex biological systems such as heart compression and twisting. These artificial muscles possess the ability to undergo complex deformations, aiding cardiac function while maintaining a limited weight and use of space. Electrothermally actuated artificial heart muscles have demonstrated superior force generation while creating the prospect for fully soft robotic actuated ventricular assist devices.

5. Self-Healing Materials: Imagine a material that can repair itself when damaged. Self-healing materials, inspired by the body’s healing mechanisms, can seal small cracks or damages, prolonging the lifespan of biomedical devices and reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Now, you might wonder how these materials are made and how they work. Engineers and scientists use a variety of techniques and materials in their development. Some use polymers, which are like long chains of molecules, while others utilize nanoparticles or shape-memory alloys.
The beauty of these materials lies not just in their functionalities but also in their potential to transform patient care. They hold the promise of more effective treatments, reduced invasiveness in surgeries, and improved quality of life for countless individuals.

However, as exciting as these advancements are, their development and application also come with challenges. Ensuring the safety, biocompatibility, and long-term efficacy of these materials remain critical areas of research.

Moreover, the translation of these technologies from the lab to clinical practice requires rigorous testing, regulatory approvals, and considerations for cost-effectiveness.
Smart materials for biomedical devices represent a frontier of innovation in healthcare. Their ability to interact intelligently with biological systems opens doors to a multitude of possibilities, from more targeted therapies to improved diagnostic tools. Although challenges exist, the potential benefits these materials offer are vast, holding the promise of transforming the modern medical landscape for the better. The future of biomedical devices looks bright.

A previous ARC DECRA Fellow, Javad Foroughi is currently a Senior Research Fellow and Chief Investigator in our Hub, in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and a visiting professor at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. His research work focuses on smart materials on artificial muscles, soft robotics and wearable technologies. He is currently collaborating with the UNSW Hub team and Hannover Medical School in Germany to develop high-performance artificial muscles for engineering a biventricular cardiac assist device.

You can reach Javad at j.foroughi@unsw.edu.au

Find him on LinkedIn and X @JForoughi

 

 

Schematic of an artificial muscles sleeve as a ventricular assist device based on electrothermally artificial muscles for Treatment of End-Stage Heart Failure.

 

 

 

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References:
• Torsional carbon nanotube artificial muscles
• Artificial muscles from fishing line and sewing thread
• Sheath-run artificial muscles
• Knitted carbon-nanotube-sheath/spandex-core elastomeric yarns for artificial muscles and strain sensing
• Self‐healing hydrogels: the next paradigm shift in tissue engineering?
• Biopolymers for antitumor implantable drug delivery systems: recent advances and future outlook
• Artificial Muscles and Soft Robotic Devices for Treatment of End‐Stage Heart Failure
• High Performance Artificial Muscles to Engineer a Ventricular Cardiac Assist Device and Future Perspectives of a Cardiac Sleeve
• Wearable Electronic Textiles from Nanostructured Piezoelectric Fibers
• Intelligent drug delivery systems

Our Hub Chief Investigator, Dr Matthew Brodie and a team of UNSW biomedical engineers, allied foundations, companies, and institutions have been awarded a $972,858 NHMRC Development Grant to develop a device to improve the walking ability and quality of life of those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. Titled ‘Helping five million people with Parkinson’s disease walk’, the grant will enable the team to advance beyond a prototype device developed in conjunction with the free Walking Tall App, to reduce the negative consequences of the disease.

As a ‘pacemaker for gait’ the proposed new device will use the super-additive effects of synchronising neuronal stimulation across limbs, which is already proven to help people with spinal cord injury regain function, to help people living with Parkinson’s disease walk better and for longer.

The full story is available here and 9News media release.

The Hub and the Tyree Foundation Institute of Health Engineering (Tyree IHealthE) share a common vision for developing and translating health technologies that deliver improved health outcomes and societal impact. With this shared vision, they jointly presented the Technology Translation Forum & Hub highlights at UNSW Sydney on Friday, 20 October, bringing together a diverse community to discuss key translational topics and learn about the breadth of work supported by both the Hub and Tyree IHealthE.

The event began with a session on “Translation: the balancing act” from UNSW’s newly appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation), Professor Stephen Rodda, and Scientia Professor Justin Gooding, which explored the trade-offs in translating research into commercially viable products. Prof Justin Gooding discussed the topics of the tension between publishing research papers and filing patents. Prof Stephen Rodda focused on the decision to spin out or license technology to industry partners.

We need to be agile and support all opportunities. Universities don’t just do great research but have a social responsibility to drive impact.

The panel session that followed was moderated by Dr Ian Goon and featured Prof Madhu Bhaskaran from RMIT University & Hub’s Deputy Director, Research, Dr John Parker, Saluda Medical, Maria Lund, IP Group and Dr Duncan Macinnis, MTPConnect, discussing the role of intellectual property in creating competitive advantages for companies, the challenges of commercialising IP, and tips for best practices for ensuring equitable sharing for multi-party collaborative research. The panel discussion covered several takeaways, including:
How can universities operate better to support this space?

• Early engagement and stakeholder communication are essential to ensure everyone is aligned and actively participating.
• The importance of being flexible and adaptive to the changing environment, but also partnerships to avoid pitfalls such as unrealistic expectations down the track.
• Collaborating is essential for developing solutions and best practices to establish equitable reward sharing and keep the momentum in multi-party collaborative research.

Overall, while the road to commercialisation can be challenging – time, cost, regulatory, and compliance increases the panel discussion emphasised the importance of thoughtful decision-making and collaboration early to ensure equitable sharing.

The second half of the event highlighted the progress of several Hub research projects over the first year of the Hub’s operations. Presentation updates ranged from individuals involved in the Hub from PhD students, Chief Investigators and industry covering work being done with NeuRA and Walking Tall Health, Flame Security International, Sydney Pain Management Centre, Fastlab at the University of Newcastle with Hunter Medical Research Institute and Genesys Electronics Design. The Tyree IHealthE provided an overview of their translation support.

The day ended with a networking session, poster presentations and a showcase from nthalmic and Genesys Electronics Design, where attendees connected with others in the community.

We look forward to bringing future events and workshops in the sensors and health tech space. Want to find out more about how to get involved? Connect with us at connectedsensors@unsw.edu.au.

We are excited to share the news that our Hub Chief Investigator, Dr Jin Zhang, has been awarded an ARC Future Fellowship.

Her project, High-Performance and Evaporative Triboelectric Nanogenerators aims to develop high-performance triboelectric nanogenerators with outstanding moisture wicking and thermal-moisture stability, providing a comfortable platform for biomechanical energy harvesting and self-powered sensing. The project is expected to generate new knowledge on enhancing the output power and moisture management capability of tribo-textiles, overcoming the bottleneck of output deterioration of TENGs under humid conditions. This will offer an attractive renewable energy source for driving low-power sensors in the era of IoT and open new opportunities in healthcare, sports, virtual reality and smart homes. We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr Jin Zhang on this tremendous recognition!

Jin is also a key research lead on this year’s successful round 14 of the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P). The project includes Hub Director Prof Chun Wang and Partner Organisation Santevation on Innovative Development of Biodegradable Healthcare Packaging Products. More details on the CRC-P projects can be found on the business.gov.au site—a great example of academy working with industry.

 

 

Sha Z, Boyer C, Li G, Yu Y, Allioux F, Kalantar-Zadeh K, Wang C, Zhang J. Nano Energy, Vol 92, 2022, 106713