Deaf-initely a Challenge: Deaf initely a Challenge: 3D Tomographic Imaging of g p g g the Cochlear Experimental Methods Program October 17 th - 21 st 2011 October 17 21 2011 Santa Maria College g Emily Jong, Akshita Sharma, Elise McMahon, Laura McMahon, Isabel Villafuerte, Melisa Mahmut, Hannah Lopez 13/12/2011
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 ‘I believed that science was just about the way things work’ d th t i j t b t th thi k’ • I thought that science was only the things we learnt in the classroom’ • Scientists wear lab coats • Physics = rockets 13/12/2011 13/12/2011
How is this project related to a real world problem? • In our society today many people don’t understand the significance of science in our I i t t d l d ’t d t d th i ifi f i i 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. 13/12/2011
What do we mean by integrated science? Integrated science is the integration of all the disciplines of science including I t t d i i th i t ti f ll th di i li f i i l di 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. Physics Physics Chemistry Chemistry Engineering Biology 13/12/2011
‘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 13/12/2011 13/12/2011
COCHLEA 13/12/2011 13/12/2011
P ROF G RAEME C LARK P ROF . G RAEME C LARK • 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 13/12/2011 13/12/2011
C OCHLEA I MPLANT • 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 13/12/2011 13/12/2011
• 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.
T OMOGRAPHY • X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a three-dimensional imaging method created by computer processing. • It is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the inside of a sample from a large number of It i d t t th di i l i f th i id f l f l b f two-dimensional X-ray images that are taken around a single axis of rotation of either 180 o or 360 o . • 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. 13/12/2011 13/12/2011
• 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 The synchrotron is a large machine, almost the size of a football field that speeds up electrons. h t i l hi l t th i f f tb ll fi ld th t d l t • 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 13/12/2011 13/12/2011
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EXPERIMENT EXPERIMENT • Started by taking 361 x-ray images of the cochlear using the Micro XCT St t d b t ki 361 i f th hl i th Mi XCT • Raw data of the inner ear taken from various angles from -90o to +90o 0 O 45 O -45 O 0 45 -45 90 O 90 O -90 O 90 O
RESULTS RESULTS • From our experiment we were able to successfully produce a 3D image of the cochlea which F i t bl t f ll d 3D i f th hl hi h 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? 13/12/2011
What was interesting about the g science that is happening in this lab? ? • B By working with scientists at Latrobe University we were exposed to people ki ith i ti t t L t b U i it d t l 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. 13/12/2011
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