Innovative Research in the ICETLAB
The ICETLAB is undertaking a number of cutting edge research projects aimed at improving the application of cardiovascular devices in the clinical environment.
Research at the ICETLAB is primarily focussed on the improvement of cardiovascular devices to ultimately result in improved healthcare for patients suffering from cardiovascular disease. We have a variety of projects available for engineering and basic science researchers. Our research is completed by our team of Professors, postdoctoral research fellows and PhD, Masters and undergraduate students. Funding for these projects comes from industry and granting agencies such as The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the National Heart Foundation and more. The generous support of all industry and granting agencies has allowed us to conduct world-class research, resulting in many publications and presentations at national and international conferences.
A state-of-the-art mock circulation loop is a central feature of the ICETLAB. This test facility enables the investigation of device performance in a situtaion representative of the human cardiovascular system, on the bench top. Following from in-vitro investigations, the ICETLAB has access to a world class pre-clinical research facility on TPCH campus. This facility enables progression to in-vivo testing of cardiovascular devices.
Existing Projects
Project List
Biomedical Engineering
♦ Improvement of a mock circulation loop for testing cardiovascular devices ♦ Construction and validation of a mock circulation loop for testing cardiovascular devices ♦ Evaluation of ventricular flow dynamics with rotary blood pumps using article image velocimetry ♦ Evaluation of ventricular flow patterns with rotary blood pumps using CFD ♦ Development of a novel mechanism for rapid artificial heart implantation ♦ Development of a quick-connect system to reduce artificial heart mplantation time and complexity ♦ Development of a mock circulation loop for evaluation of mechanical heart valves ♦ Replication of the native heart pulsatility with a rotary blood pump ♦ Preserving right heart function during LVAD support ♦ Development of a non-invasive implantation tool for right ventricular assist devices ♦ Development of a small mock circulation loop for clinical education of entricular assist devices ♦ An MRI compatible mock circulation loop ♦ Optimizing the physiological control of blood pumps by pump curve modifications ♦ Improvement of mock circulation loop design using computer models ♦ Comparison of blood damage with different pulsing rotary blood pumps ♦ Refining and validating the in-vitro blood mock circulation loop model ♦ Improvement of a mock circulation loop for testing cardiovascular devices ♦ Comparison of physiological controller response times during changes
Electrical Engineering
♦ Development of a small control box for a mechanical representation of the cardiovascular system ♦ Evaluation of motor control methods for ventricular assist devices ♦ Proportional-integral-derivative controller parameter tuning ♦ Construction of a dual ventricular assist device control box
Mechanical Engineering
♦ Hydraulic optimization of artificial hearts ♦ Improving the manufacturing techniques for artificial hearts ♦ Improvement of a mock circulation loop for testing cardiovascular devices ♦ Construction and validation of a mock circulation loop for testing cardiovascular devices ♦ Evaluation of ventricular flow dynamics with rotary blood pumps using particle image velocimetry ♦ Development of a mock circulation loop for evaluation of mechanical heart valves ♦ Development of a small mock circulation loop for clinical education of ventricular assist devices ♦ An MRI compatible mock circulation loop
Projects Under Investigation
Some of the projects under investigations are:
♦ Mock Circulation Loop Improvement
♦ Using 2 x LVADs as a Rotary BiVAD/TAH
♦ Physiological Control of Rotary Blood Pumps
♦ Improving the Interaction of Cannulae with the Cardiovascular System
♦ Improvement of Blood Pump Hydraulic Perfomance
Opportunities
THE ICETLAB OFFERS A NUMBER OF RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT CAN BE TAILORED FOR PHD, HONORS OR UNDERGRADUATE LEVELS OF STUDY.
Biomedical Engineering
The ICETLAB offers a number of research projects designed for biomedical engineering students, and can be tailored for Undergraduate, Honours or Post-Graduate levels of study. Design your own program of learning and undertake specialised research at our world-class laboratory. Whether your area of interest is in artifical heart replacement, coronary stenosis investigation, systems of intramolecular pressure management and pathophysiological responses we can provide a range of research programs to suit your study area.
Electrical Engineering
The ICETLAB offers a range of electrical engineering projects which focus on the design, research, development and management of cardiovascular devices. Our laboratory offers the latest in signal processing equipment and computer hardware to assist in groundbreaking research. Work with a team of specialised engineers and world-class innovators on your research project.
Mechanical Engineering
Various mechanical engineering research projects are available through the ICETLAB. These projects focus on using standard mechanical engineering techniques in a medical environment to improve cardiovascular devices. Researchers are able to work on ground breaking production and research. Areas including pump design, device manufacturing, device evaluation and more are available for mechanical engineers. Our laboratory can provide state of the art systems and training to assist in experimental analysis, rapid prototyping and more.