Biomedical laboratories
Our dedicated laboratories facilitate a wide range of interdisciplinary educational and research activities in the field of biomedical engineering, including the new Implantable Bionics and Electroceuticals Laboratory.
Tissue engineering research facilities
The Tissue Engineering Laboratory contains equipment for the preparation of novel biomaterials and constructs from polymers and ceramics, which are designed for regeneration therapy to treat tissue damage or loss in various parts of the body (such as bones, cartilage, joints, tendon and heart). The manufacturing facilities in this facility allow fabrication of materials and constructs using a range of processing techniques such as solvent-based, template-based and 3D printing-based approaches.
The laboratory is also well equipped for in vitro and in vivo assessment of the biological properties of materials and their interactions with mammalian cell types, which give insight to the efficacy of developed materials and constructs in promoting tissue regeneration. Resources are available for conducting analyses in cultured cells (from in vitro experiments) and explanted tissues (from in vivo experiments). Techniques used include those from molecular biology and cell biology (investigating the attachment, migration, growth and differentiation of cells on materials), and histology for hard and soft tissues containing material implants (investigating tissue ingrowth and regeneration in the implants).
Imaging Laboratory
The Imaging Laboratory is a space for the development of new or improved applications for imaging. This includes both two-dimensional and three-dimensional applications, and involving both animal and human subjects.
The laboratory currently has a six-axis Universal Robotics manipulator and will soon be home to the bench-top scanning electron microscope.
Biomaterials and Biomedical Design Laboratory
The Biomaterials and Biomedical Design Laboratory is a dynamic interdisciplinary space. It supports design, creation, translation and preliminary evaluation of new biomaterials, tissue scaffolds, medical implants and medtech solutions. Individual and team projects and biomedical engineering classes are hosted here. The laboratory’s infrastructure includes dual- and single-head 3D printers, 3D scanner, multi-channel sensor test systems, tissue bioreactor platforms, directional electrospinning, scan-cut systems, automated filament winding setup, and advanced composite and bio-ceramics fabrication facilities. The majority of the project activity which is conducted in the laboratory are medical- and industry-guided including a range of award-winning innovations and positive clinical outcomes.
Just some of the many projects enabled by the laboratory include:
- 3D-templated patient-specific implants
- scaffolds for chronic wounds
- patient-specific spinal implants
- fibrocartilage scaffolds
- scaffold-supporting neurostimulation
- photostitching gastrointestinal implants
- augmented reality clinical guidance
- concussion monitoring systems
- haptic feedback device for orthopaedic rehabilitation
- autonomous air-quality monitoring systems.
Implantable Bionics and Electroceuticals Laboratory
The new Implantable Bionics and Electroceuticals Laboratory will be a state-of-the-art facility for applied research in sensory and motor rehabilitation. Our specialty is microfabrication of implantable medical devices for the treatment of neurological and movement disorders. Due for completion in early 2018, the laboratory’s capacities include laser micromachining, hermetic encapsulation, microelectronics design and testing, and neural interfaces. Implementation of the relevant sections of ISO14385 quality standards affords our work the possibility of progressing all the way from concept to clinical translation.
The laboratory is equipped with lasers, spin coaters, furnaces, wire bonders, mass spectrometers, plasma reactors, screen printers, hot presses and numerous other tools for medical device prototyping and testing.
Biomedical Sensing Laboratory
The Biomedical Sensing Laboratory develops hardware and algorithms to measure and classify biological signals, such as ECG, EMG, EEG, electrical impedance, 3D position and location, skin conductivity, tissue characteristics and blood oxygenation. We develop anatomically realistic computational finite element models and physical models with hydrogels and contrast media in addition to performing direct tissue measurements with collaborators in the medical school.
Research infrastructure includes full electronic circuit design tools such as computer-aided design (CAD) tools, printed circuit design facilities, 3D printer and CNC machine and soldering stations. It also has a large range of test equipment including an Actichamp high resolution EEG system, Swisstom electrical impedance tomograph, physiological measurement system, oscilloscopes and data acquisition systems.