Human Phantom Technology
A key part of the development of biomedical technology is the clinical studies needed to assess the effectiveness of the technology in human patients. However, these studies are not only expensive but require careful planning to ensure that they are done in an ethical manner. Therefore, it is beneficial to have access to phantoms that can mimic human physiology to allow more rapid development and testing of biomedical technologies before they move to the stage of clinical studies.
As part of other ongoing research projects, IBTEC has developed expertise that allows the experimental simulation of human systems including the electrical and mechanical properties of human tissue and this can allow the development of complex biomedical structures for the testing of biomedical devices.
Current projects
Hydrogels can be formulated to mimic the mechanical, electrical and optical properties of human tissue for use in phantom studies (experimental studies using synthetic analogs of living participants). They can also be formulated to be biocompatible, opening a range of opportunities for use in health sensors.
This research explores the synthesis and properties of various hydrogel materials.
AUT Team
Andrew Lowe (contact), Huiyang Zhang, Mayuresh Kulkarni, Gautam Anand
Collaborators
New Zealand Institute for Minerals to Materials Research, Callaghan Innovation
- Mock Circulatory Loop