Our projects
WiMed has a number of research programs that span across a multi-disciplinary team of researchers. From engineering, through to medicine and general sciences—our vision is to combine these elements into innovations that improve future wireless medical devices.
Implant Radio Platforms
Program leader: Prof. Karu Esselle
This research program aims to develop a series of flexible wireless implant platforms that can be optimised for specific neurological and cardiovascular applications. Current research includes shorter-term activities (one to two years) to develop implant platforms operating at 400MHz and 900MHz— aimed at animal and human telemetry. A five-year project is also in action, designed to develop an implant platform operating at higher ultra-wideband frequencies, of which will be able to cater for a wider range of implant applications.
Cardiovascular Devices
Program leader: Professor Itsu Sen
Our cardiovascular research focuses on the characterisation of cardiovascular haemodynamics and the optimal design of medical devices for cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disease, treatment and diagnosis.
We aim to show that wireless technology is useful for application in new generation medical devices, including implantable cardiovascular-assistance and endovascular treatment devices.
Biocompatible Materials & Sensors
Program leader: Professor Candace Lang
This research program’s focus is on developing and fabricating materials and micro-devices. Projects investigate the use of nanoparticles for chemical and optical detection of molecules, materials and fabrication methods Electrical, mechanical and optical detection methods for particles, molecules and physiological states—such as rare cells, blood glucose and blood pressure—will also be explored.
Neurological Devices
Program leaders: Dr David Inglis and Professor Ann Goodchild
This research program aims to develop implant technologies tailored for neurological applications. The current focus is on developing implantable microelectrode drug delivery equipment for the management of neurological disorders.
Medical Imaging Technologies
Program leader: Professor Yves De Deene
Our medical imaging research is centred around the quantitative mapping of physiological parameters of cellular densities, cell size distributions, acidity (pH), oxygen and metabolite concentrations. This multi-disciplinary initiative involves the development of new software and hardware. In order to boost the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), our research group is also developing hyperpolarised MRI techniques which open up new horizons of molecular, metabolic and cellular imaging. Find out more about Engineering Specialization Biomedical Imaging and Sensing.
Radiotherapy Technologies
Program leaders: Professor Yves De Deene
This exploration of radiotherapy technology is focused on the development of radiation dosimeters—a device that measure exposure to ionising radiation. This technology provides the radiation dose distribution on a 3D scale. These 3D dosimeters can be cast in a human shape and are useful in safeguarding the entire radiotherapy chain of cancer patients, especially with the introduction of imaged gated treatment modalities. This research involves chemistry, optics, radiation physics, mechatronics, mechanics and medical imaging.
Orthopaedics Devices
Program leaders: Associate Professor Desmond Bokor and Associate Professor Richard Appleyard
We are developing micro-sensors to internally monitor and evaluate the stresses developed in joint replacements, as patients go about their daily activities. This includes the monitoring of temperature and motion. Our aim is to detect failures at early stages in the process.
Other priorities in this program include:
- Developing surface monitoring devices to four-dimensionally track patient arm motion
- Improving joint compliance with rehabilitation
- Development of a surgical robotic system for ENT surgery
- Electrical stimulation.
Electrical stimulation, such as spinal cord and deep brain stimulation, is used to treat many debilitating diseases and conditions. We are interested in improving the clinical performance of stimulation devices, which are currently limited by the number of stimulating electrodes involved. We hope to improve current electrode positions and configurations so that overall cross-talk is minimised.