Projects
MBSI undertakes projects which provide great opportunities for students to gain real experience in solving clinical problems. Students work in interdisciplinary peer-led teams, mentored by field experts in academia, industry and clinical practice.
Project Leaflet
Leaflet is a startup providing a digital platform for clinicians to seamlessly send health information to patients, with a focus on those from culturally-and-linguistically-diverse backgrounds. For patients, it will function as a browser and mobile application containing important information curated by their treating clinicians, for instance, relating to post-operative instructions.
Leaflet was developed in partnership with Western Health. It has also successfully applied for grant funding through the University of Melbourne Innovation Acceleration Program. The product is expected to roll out (or launch) at Western Health by mid-2023.
Brain-Computer Interface Project
The Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) Project is an exciting Project that aims to build a wheelchair controlled by electro-encephalography (EEG) signals, gaze-tracking technology, and machine-learning methods. We aim to provide mobility assistance for patients with paraplegia.
A project of such intricacy requires a large and diverse team composed of engineering, biomedical, medical, data science, and computer science students. It is aiming to complete a working wheelchair prototype with human testing in 2023.
Austin Radiology Project
The Austin Radiology Project comprises two sub-Projects, both of which work in partnership with the Radiology Department at Austin Health. They offer a unique opportunity for students to work with AI technology and real world radiological data on clinically important questions.
The first sub-Project utilised machine-learning methods to predict optimal inversion times on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, resulting in a pending academic publication. The second sub-Project will investigate the utility of AI in interpreting radiological data in the context of osteoporosis.
Members of the Austin Radiology Project include junior doctors, medical, engineering, and computer science students.
Project miRmaids
Project miRmaids aims to design a "biological logic circuit" using synthetic biology, computational biology, and bioinformatics methods. In short, Project miRmaids will engineer cell lines where the expression of certain proteins is controlled by microRNAs (miRs). Such a system may offer quick and reversible ways of modifying cells' phenotypes and activity.
Given the need for both wet- and dry-lab expertise, team members include biomedical, medical, mathematics, and computer science students.
Project miRmaids has secured the support of Co-Labs and the University of Melbourne. It aims to present its work at the Australasian Synthetic Biology Challenge and the international iGEM competition.
Project docuMed
Project docuMed is developing a web-based application that leverages natural language processing (NLP) and other machine-learning tools to generate automated patient reports derived from outpatient consultations. This workflow will enhance patient recall, promote informed consent, and streamline the healthcare experience for patients.
Project docuMed originated from the 2022 Vinuri de Silva Biodesign Competition. It is a multidisciplinary team of medical students, NLP researchers, and Human-Computer Interaction designers, united in their commitment to delivering innovative and impactful solutions in healthcare.
Project Sensure
Project Sensure is developing a smart cannula-needle system that will serve as a training tool for clinicians attempting to master the difficult learning curve in procedures such as caudal epidural insertion in paediatric anaesthetics. The Sensure team will develop an easy-to-use detachable sensor device that offers sensory information, allowing clinicians to track needle progression in real time.
Project Sensure originated from the Biodesign Innovation Program at the University of Melbourne. It works in partnership with the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI). In 2023, Project Sensure aims to complete the development of a prototype device and a simulated biological/physical testing environment.
Project Mobi
Project Mobi is developing a smart, mobile solution that aims to deliver patient-specific treatment for oedema of the legs. This will take the form of an automatic and user-controllable compression device worn on the legs to promote fluid return into the systemic circulation in patients suffering from lower limb oedema, for example due to immobilisation.
Project Mobi originated from the 2022 Vinuri de Silva Biodesign Competition, where it won the Graeme Clarke Institute Prize. It is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of medical, engineering, and science students.
Project TENSible
Project TENSible is developing a smart, non-invasive device that offers personalised chronic pain relief using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The device will learn to adapt to the user’s needs by changing its stimulation parameters on a session-by-session basis by using biosensor-detected pain markers, user feedback, and learning algorithms. The device will be connected to a mobile app which can be used to manually control the device’s stimulation parameters, track the individual’s pain history, and record their personalised pain management plans.
Project TENSible originated from the 2022 Vinuri de Silva Biodesign Competition. Their goal is to offer easy-to-use, at-home, personalised devices to relieve musculoskeletal and arthritic pain, while establishing an integrated and social pain management platform.
More projects to come!
Have you got a project idea, or are you interested in leading a new project?
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