Deaf-initely a Challenge: Deaf initely a Challenge: 3D Tomographic - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Deaf-initely a Challenge: Deaf initely a Challenge: 3D Tomographic Imaging of g p g g the Cochlear

Experimental Methods Program October 17th - 21st 2011

Santa Maria College

October 17 21 2011

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Emily Jong, Akshita Sharma, Elise McMahon, Laura McMahon, Isabel Villafuerte, Melisa Mahmut, Hannah Lopez

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What we believed science was

• ‘I always thought that physics was hard and only looked at speed and

forces.’

• ‘I never thought about what real science was Science was really confusing
• I never thought about what real science was. Science was really confusing

and only smart people understand it’

• ‘I didn’t realise how science could be applied to ‘change the world’

‘I b li d th t i j t b t th thi k’

• ‘I believed that science was just about the way things work’
• I thought that science was only the things we learnt in the classroom’
• Scientists wear lab coats
• Physics = rockets

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How is this project related to a real world problem?

I i t t d l d ’t d t d th i ifi f i i

• In our society today many people don’t understand the significance of science in our

lives.

• Science has a very big impact on the human race, as it is everywhere around us

even if it may not be visible at times even if it may not be visible at times.

• We live in a society dependent on science and technology.
• Whether it be the technology we use such as computers or simply finding out the

weather science has made some remarkable discoveries that have changed the way weather, science has made some remarkable discoveries that have changed the way we live.

• Throughout this week we learnt that science can change our world, society and

communities in many ways.

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What do we mean by integrated science?

I t t d i i th i t ti f ll th di i li f i i l di Integrated science is the integration of all the disciplines of science including physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics and engineering. This provides us with a greater understanding of how we can change our world, society and comm nities communities.

Chemistry Physics Chemistry Physics Biology Engineering

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‘Deaf-initely a Challenge: 3D Tomographic Imaging of the Cochlear ’ Project Goals

• To research X-ray and tomography techniques in order

To research X ray and tomography techniques in order to gain a greater understanding of the cochlea.

• To explore how the Synchrotron contributes to our

p y research and project

• To identify the limitations during the experimental

y g p process, and how our research can advance our scientific knowledge and understanding

• To see how science can be explored beyond the

classroom

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COCHLEA

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PROF GRAEME CLARK

• PROF. GRAEME CLARK
• Prof. Graeme Clark is responsible for the pioneering research and

development of the Bionic Ear – a multiple-channel Cochlear development of the Bionic Ear – a multiple-channel Cochlear Implant.

• The Cochlear Implant has brought hearing and speech

understanding to over 200,000 people with a severe-to-profound g , p p p hearing loss, in more than 80 countries.

• His research resulted in the first clinically successful interface

between the world of sound and human consciousness and has paved the way for many advances in the areas of physical and biological sciences for health care.

• Professor Graeme Clark was the first person to develop the multi-

channel cochlear implant and to have successfully performed the channel cochlear implant and to have successfully performed the world’s first implant procedure on Mr Rod Saunders in August 1978, at Melbourne’s Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital

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COCHLEA IMPLANT

• The cochlea implant consists of 2 parts- the internal and the external devices. The internal

structure includes the receiver, magnet, bundle of fine wires and the electrode array. The external structure is the ear piece, where the sound processor, cable and microphone are found. How it works: How it works:

• The sound processor picks up sounds from the microphone and converts the sounds into

electrical current patterns

• The current is carried along the cable and transmitted across the skin in the form of radio waves to

the receiver which is implanted under the skin the receiver which is implanted under the skin.

• The receiver carries the current to the electrode array found under the cochlea where it stimulates

fibres of the auditory nerve and therefore creates the perception of sound. 13/12/2011 13/12/2011

X RAY X-RAY

• Prof. Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen
• Prof. Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen accidently discovered X-rays - 1895, Germany,
• X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation.

Emergency diagnosis

• Emergency diagnosis

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• X-rays penetrate right through sample.

y p g g p

• Radiographers, radiologists,

radiotherapists, airport security.

• Australian Synchrotron, for laboratory

work, hospitals, medical clinics and airports.

Chest X-ray of lung cancer

• X-rays are important in the treatment of cancer by killing off the

cancerous cells which prevent them from dividing and spreading.

TOMOGRAPHY

• X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a three-dimensional imaging method created by computer

processing. It i d t t th di i l i f th i id f l f l b f

• It is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the inside of a sample from a large number of

two-dimensional X-ray images that are taken around a single axis of rotation of either 180o or 360o.

• The sample is placed on a turntable stage in between the radiation source and the imaging

system, and two-dimensional photographs.

• The images are then digitally reconstructed to produce a three-dimensional image.

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• X-rays beams are omitted from x-ray tubes and hit the sample at different angles as it rotates.
• The CCD camera captures the image contrast due to different X-ray absorption from different

points of the object points of the object.

• These two-dimensional images are transferred to the connected computer so that they can be

reconstructed to generate a cross-sectional image.

• This 3-D model and volume reconstruction, enables the sample to be analysed at a more

thorough level. 13/12/2011 13/12/2011

SYNCHROTRON

Th h t i l hi l t th i f f tb ll fi ld th t d l t

• The synchrotron is a large machine, almost the size of a football field that speeds up electrons.
• It’s a particle accelerator that speeds electrons almost to the speed of light at a very high energy

level.

• The electrons produce x-ray because they are charged particles and when they pass through the

p y y g p y p g magnet their direction changes and light is produced due to a change in energy in the electron.

• the synchrotron can also see finer details than a conventional X-ray and it has a higher resolution.
• It can see soft tissue details

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EXPERIMENT EXPERIMENT

St t d b t ki 361 i f th hl i th Mi XCT

• Started by taking 361 x-ray images of the cochlear using the Micro XCT
• Raw data of the inner ear taken from various angles from -90o to +90o

0O 45O

• 45O

45

• 45

90O 90O 90O

• 90O

RESULTS RESULTS

F i t bl t f ll d 3D i f th hl hi h

• From our experiment we were able to successfully produce a 3D image of the cochlea which

included electrodes, similar to a cochlea implant. (Video)

• This allowed us to see the interior of the cochlea
• The synchrotron provided us with an insight on how x-rays are produced and used for research.

y p g y p

Further Areas or Questions to Investigate

From the results we gained we can see that there is a From the results we gained, we can see that there is a need in research for the following:

• What can be done to improve the sound of music heard

through the cochlear implant?

• Is tomography the only method that can be used to see

the interior of the cochlea?

• How can we make electrodes smaller to fit more of them

into the cochlea? into the cochlea?

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What was interesting about the g science that is happening in this ? lab?

B ki ith i ti t t L t b U i it d t l

• By working with scientists at Latrobe University we were exposed to people

who were the best in their field, and world class scientists.

• We were able to see how research is being done constantly to extend our

understanding and make further advancements.

• Machines are being made and new findings are discovered each day

The facilities at Latrobe are world class

• The facilities at Latrobe are world class.

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Why Should We care about the Research?

With t h th i d l t h lth th i h

• Without research there is no development, no health, there is no hope.
• Scientific research provides us with new technology that can prolong and

p gy p g give better quality life.

• By conducting research about the cochlea thousands of people are given

By conducting research about the cochlea thousands of people are given the gift of hearing, a sense that many of us take for granted.

• Scientific findings such as these can revolutionize the way we conduct
• Scientific findings such as these can revolutionize the way we conduct

further research, and can provide people with a greater understanding of

• urselves and the world around us.

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How Has Our View of Science

• r Scientists Changed?

It i t j t k l d b t th f thi ki

• It is not just knowledge, but rather a way of thinking.
• By using all the disciplines of science we can understand more about ourselves and

the world the world.

• Different methods can be used to research one topic
• Physicists work with other scientists in different departments

V diff t t i i th l

• Very different to science in the classroom

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What Have We Learnt? What Have We Learnt?

• For many of us Growing Tall Poppies gave us a new definition of science
• For many of us, Growing Tall Poppies gave us a new definition of science.
• This experiment extended our skills and let us experience how we can add to new research and

make an active contribution in society.

• We saw firsthand how all the disciplines of science are connected in order to have a greater depth

and understanding of the world.

• By using physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, engineering and maths it was possible for us to

explore the cochlea implant on a greater level

• We learnt what tomography is and how it can extend our scientific understanding

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• We saw how the synchrotron produces x-ray in order for us to make new findings

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What choices have opened up to me In Possible Career Choices?

U ll h thi k b t h i ti l t d t i i th

• Usually when one thinks about choosing an occupation related to science in the

future the first things that comes to mind are doctors, engineers or scientists, The program has enabled us to consider other careers in science rather than just

• The program has enabled us to consider other careers in science rather than just

being one of the common occupations.

• Throughout this week we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet
• Throughout this week we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet

different kinds of people, such as physicist, psychologists, and biologist, who gave us an insight of what it is like to pursue a career in science.

• We have gained an immense amount of knowledge from the different scientists and

physicists, and after that many of us are interested to a do a career related to science in the future.

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How has being part of GTP changed How has being part of GTP changed my appreciation for physical science?

• It’s easier to understand when we have hands on experience
• Its much more interesting than a textbook
• There is a lot of misunderstanding about physics
• There is a lot of misunderstanding about physics
• All the disciplines of science connect.
• Before most of us thought that physics was just speed and forces, whereas it is much

more to it

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Acknowledgements Acknowledgements

• Dr Benedicta Arhatari, Mr. Aidan Carroll, Dr. Grant van Riessen
• The Growing Tall Poppies Program Developer: Dr. Eroia Barone-Nugent

Santa Maria College

• Santa Maria College: Mr. Brian O’Reily, Mrs. Deborah Barker

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• The Australian Synchrotron; Dr Tom Caradoc-Davies, Prof. Keith Nugent
• Latrobe University: Dr Alex Harris

Th ARC C t f E ll f C h t X R S i

• The ARC Centre of Excellence for Coherent X-Ray Science
• AKORN Educational Services: Georgene Bridgeman
• NAB Schools First & Catholic Education Office

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