Masters of Research: Model-based mechanical ventilation treatment for respiratory failure patients

Postgraduate Position at Monash University (Malaysia Campus) in the field of Biomedical Engineering, Masters of Research 

Background:

Mechanical ventilation (MV) treatment is essential life support for critically ill patients, but the treatment is costly and the resources are limited. MV treatment is very costly at an average of €591 per patient per day during the COVID-19 pandemic, mechanical ventilators are one of the most crucial medical devices needed to keep critically ill patients alive, but unfortunately, it is reported worldwide that there is a significant lack of ventilators. Thus, an improvement in MV treatment will free up these ventilators and have a significant social and economic impact on the country.

Project Focus:

In recent years, there has been an emerging interest to guide patient-specific MV treatment through the use of model-based approaches. These approaches provide an in-depth understanding of the patient’s conditions that would allow clinicians to select MV therapy based on a patient’s exact-current condition and needs. However, to date, their potential in intensive care is still being investigated and more clinical trial evidence is required to support the efficacy of these methods. In addition, these trials require significant clinical resources, they are specific and are unable to provide the wide information spectrum that is required to investigate the performance of other model-based approaches. Thus, there is a need to explore alternate solutions that enable the investigation of the feasibility, safety and performance of these model-based MV protocols prior to actual testing in the clinical environment.

In this research, we wish to formulate a stochastic integrated virtual MV patient model capable of modelling various respiratory failure patients. Various MV treatments paired with patients’ clinical information can be simulated for investigation of the effect of a MV trial on patient outcomes. This virtual patient model will reduce the need for multiple clinical trials that are exhaustive. This research will lay the groundwork for digital twins in hospital intensive care. 

Project Benefit:

Model-based MV research is interdisciplinary research. Interested candidates will have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge biomedical engineering research linking practical engineering, physiological modelling, and medical research. Positive findings arising from this research can significantly impact clinical practice and outcomes in hospitals.

This project will be conducted with Dr Chiew and with other international researchers. More importantly, it offers the opportunity to engage in publishable, biomedical engineering research with significant social impact. The project is in collaboration with hospitals in Malaysia and an internationally renowned research group in New Zealand

Contact:

Dr. Chiew Yeong Shiong (chiew.yeong.shiong@monash.edu)

https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=QoFkH8UAAAAJ

Other Info:

https://www.monash.edu.my/study/postgraduate-and-research/engineering/master-engineering-science-research

https://www.monash.edu.my/engineering/all-disciplines/mechanical-engineering/our-research_3/biomedical-engineering/data-analytics-team2

https://sites.google.com/view/bemsmonash/home

Funding Notes:

Competitive scholarships (Tuition fee waiver/ stipends)

Requirements

·      Candidate with MATLAB/ Python Skills

·      Candidates who are capable of performing independent research.

·      Candidates who have experience in academic publications.

·      Bachelors in a relevant area (Engineering, Eg. Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics, Biomedical, Medical Engineering)

·      Send in a complete CV, copies of academic transcripts and/ or other relevant documents.