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23rd Annual Report
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2008 –2009
THE
BIONIC EAR
INSTITUTE
CONTENTS
Chairman’s Report
2
Director’s Report
3
Bionic Ears and Beyond 6
Drug Delivery
16
Bionic Eye
20
Intelligent Implants for Neurological Applications
23
Bionic Technologies Australia (BTA)
26
Publications
28
Education
32
Supporting Our Research
34
Board Members and Executive Officers
36
Staff Members
38
Treasurer’s Report
40
Summarised Financial Report
41
Acknowledgements
43
Support the Bionic Ear Institute
44
OUR VISION
The Bionic Ear Institute will become the
world’s pre-eminent Medical Bionics Institute.
OUR MISSION
We will bring together talented and focussed people in a multidisciplinary research environment, spanning the biological, physical
and engineering sciences, with clinical science. We will capture the
imagination of Australia’s brightest students and reinvigorate our
community’s passion for science. We will inspire the next generation
of researchers by having a unique program that provides an exciting
pathway from secondary school, through university and into postgraduate research. We will focus on the pursuit of fundamental science
and work in collaboration with commercialisation partners to ensure
our scientific developments lead to commercially viable products and
services that will improve the health of Australians.
BEI Annual Report 08–09 1
CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT
Welcome to the Bionic Ear Institute’s
23rd Annual Report
During 2008–2009 the Bionic Ear Institute relocated
laboratories and staff to refurbished premises in the Daly
Wing of St Vincent’s Hospital. These excellent new facilities
build on the Institute’s vision to establish a pre-eminent
Medical Bionics Institute providing the Institute with the
capability to expand our programs and to provide staff
with an excellent standard of research and office facilities.
I would like to acknowledge the University of Melbourne,
Department of Otolaryngology for their invaluable support
over the years in providing shared space for Institute
staff and we look forward and encourage continued
collaborative links with the Department into the future.
In November 2008 the Institute hosted the inaugural
Medical Bionics conference in Lorne, Victoria. On behalf
of the Board I would like to thank the Conference
Organising Committee and the conference sponsors:
Australian Government DIISR, Australian Academy
of Science, Australian Academy of Technological
Sciences and Engineering, University of Melbourne
School of Engineering, The Hearing CRC, NICTA, Journal
of Neural Engineering and MiniFAB. Their involvement
and generosity ensured that this significant global
conference was a resounding success.
I am delighted to report that the Bionic Ear Institute is a
partner in Bionic Vision Australia which was launched in
November 2008. A partnership of world-leading Australian
research institutes, Bionic Vision Australia will pursue the
development of the most technologically advanced bionic
eye to improve the sight of people with degenerative or
2 BEI Annual Report 08–09
inherited retinal disease. Bionic Vision Australia’s members
also include the University of Melbourne, the University
of New South Wales, Centre for Eye Research Australia
and the Victoria Research Laboratory of NICTA.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Institute
staff under the passionate leadership of Professor Rob
Shepherd for their excellent achievements during the year.
Over the past fifteen months we have strengthened the
Board governance and I warmly welcome the Honourable
Steve Bracks, Christina Hardy and Moya Mills as new
Directors. I also extend my appreciation to all my fellow
Directors for their contribution and support.
On behalf of the Board and staff of the Bionic Ear Institute,
I extend our very sincere gratitude to our donors and
supporters for their ongoing interest and generosity in
our research programs. I thank Woodards and their staff
for their continued enthusiasm and commitment and all
our ambassadors and volunteers who tirelessly promote
the work of the Institute by speaking to community groups
and organising fundraising events.
I look forward to continuing to work with you all in the
promotion of The Bionic Ear Institute as a leader in the
field of Medical Bionics.
Gerry Moriarty AM
FTSE, FIEAust FAICD
Chairman
DIRECTOR’S
REPORT
This has been a significant year for the BEI. In April we
opened our newly renovated laboratories in the Daly
Wing of St Vincent’s Hospital. Until this year the Institute
shared the laboratory facilities of the Department of
Otolaryngology University of Melbourne, however the
expansion of the Institute into the broader area of medical
bionics placed significant constraints on our ability to
expand our research activities.
The move of our staff into the 750m2 facility is the first
time in our history we now exclusively work in Institute
equipped and managed laboratories. I would like to
acknowledge the generosity of the Department of
Otolaryngology in providing shared space for Institute
staff over the last 25 years and I am delighted that
our two organisations continue to share dynamic and
successful collaborative links.
Research
A hallmark in advancing scientific endeavour is the
exchange of ideas and the networking opportunities that
conferences bring. I was delighted with the success of our
inaugural “Medical Bionics – a new paradigm in human
health” conference held at Lorne in November which was
part of the Sir Mark Oliphant International Frontiers of
Science and Technology Conference Series. This meeting
brought together experts from 12 countries for a three
day forum that included 75 research presentations. Key
papers from the meeting will appear in a special issue
of the Journal of Neural Engineering in late 2009. I
would like to acknowledge the important contributions
from many BEI staff and our sponsors – particularly the
Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
of the Australian Government, the Australian Academy of
Sciences and the Australian Academy of Technological
Sciences and Engineering – in making this meeting such
an outstanding success.
A key component of an active research institute is marked
in the achievements of our research students. I would
particularly like to congratulate Dr Mohit Shivdasani
who successfully completed his PhD studying improved
technologies for auditory brainstem implants and Mr
James Leuenburger who completed his Master’s degree.
James’s thesis is of additional significance as it marks
the first thesis from the Institute associated with bionic
eye research.
Relationships
We place great significance in the importance of our
relationships with our research collaborators both
within Australia and internationally. These relationships
continue to result in quality research outcomes resulting
in innovative health solutions and commercialisation
opportunities. Our key research partner is the University
of Melbourne while our core clinical partner is St Vincent’s
Hospital. Other significant collaborators include Centre for
Eye Research Australia, CSIRO, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear
Hospital, NICTA, University of New South Wales, University
of Wollongong and the University of Western Australia.
Research Funding
The Institute had considerable success with peer-reviewed
funding during the year, receiving over $1.3m in new grants
from the NH&MRC, the Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams
Memorial Foundation and the UK based Royal National
Institute for Deaf People.
BEI Annual Report 08–09 3
Left: Bionic Ear Institute
staff in East Melbourne.
Right: Celebration of the
opening of our newly
renovated laboratories
in the Daly Wing of St
Vincent’s Hospital, April 2009
Congratulations to Drs Lisa Pettingill and Rachael
Richardson for their success in obtaining significant grants.
The Institute was also successful in securing more than
$1m in funding from trusts and philanthropic sources.
This is a vital source of research funding for an institute
as it allows our talented research staff to undertake bold
new “blue sky” research programs. I would particularly like
to acknowledge the Victorian Lions Foundation for their
most generous commitment to supporting our research.
Donors and Supporters
I would like to thank our individual donors and supporters
for their commitment and generosity particularly given
the difficult global financial environment over the past
12 months. I am extremely grateful to our corporate partners
– Macquarie Group Ltd, Global Pacific Group and Woodards
Real Estate and their staff for their enthusiasm and
commitment to promote and fundraise for the Institute.
The Bionic Ear Institute would also like to acknowledge
the support it receives from the Victorian Government
through its Operational Infrastructure Support Program.
Each year we receive wonderful support from our
ambassadors and volunteers by promoting the research
of the Institute by speaking engagements within the
community, fundraising and as research volunteers.
Our Board and Staff
The Institute is very fortunate to have a dynamic Board
led by our Chairman Gerry Moriarty. Our Board continues
to make outstanding contributions to the BEI through
leadership, governance, passion for our vision and their
enthusiastic promotion of our organisation. During the
year we welcomed three new highly talented individuals to
our Board – Ms Christina Hardy, Hon. Steve Bracks and Ms
Moya Mills – they have spared no time in making important
contributions to our organisation. On behalf of all staff I
would like to acknowledge the wonderful contribution of
our Chairman Gerry Moriarty for his leadership and guidance.
Prof. Anthony Burkitt stepped down as Assistant Director
during the year to assume a full-time position in the
4 BEI Annual Report 08–09
School of Engineering at the University of Melbourne.
I thank Tony for his many significant contributions to the
BEI and am delighted that he has accepted an honorary
BEI appointment that will see ongoing collaborations for
many years to come. The Institute has been very fortunate
to appoint Prof. Peter Blamey as our new Assistant
Director. Peter brings more than 30 years of research and
commercial experience in the fields of cochlear implants
and hearing aid development. It has been a great pleasure
to resume our professional association which was first
initiated in 1980.
Finally I would like to acknowledge the significant
contributions made throughout the year of my executive
team and our wonderful Institute staff; the quality of
your research forms the foundation upon which this
institute stands.
The Institute has continued to pursue excellence in medical
research by fostering a culture built around mentoring the
next generation of researchers and nurturing scientific
excellence in order to translate research outcomes into
improved health outcomes. I look forward to working
with all our stakeholders in order to achieve this vision.
Professor Robert Shepherd
BSc, DipEd, PhD
Director
Delgates at the Medical Bionics Conference held in Lorne,
November 2008
BEI Annual Report 08–09 5
BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSAN
EARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYO
ANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/B
BEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/BIONI
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EARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYO
ANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/BIONICEARSANDBEYOND/B
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BIONIC EARS
AND BEYOND
The most common form of deafness is a sensorineural hearing
loss, which is typically associated with permanent damage to
the sensory hair cells of the cochlea. In patients suffering from a
severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss, the only therapeutic
intervention available is the cochlear implant or the “bionic ear”.
The bionic ear has been one of the most successful medical bionics
devices with over 150,000 patients implanted with one worldwide.
However, the bionic ear has some shortcomings – particularly its
clinical performance in noisy environments, music appreciation
and in the perception of tonal languages. Therefore a significant
part of our research involves the development of new generation
high fidelity bionic ears. Using a multidisciplinary approach our
bionic ear research program encompasses auditory neuroscience,
development of new cochlear implant sound processing strategies,
speech and language development in children and neural modelling.
6 BEI Annual Report 08–09
Recent research has demonstrated that immature
BDNF can cause the death of neurons when it
binds to the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR)
expressed on their surfaces. Trauma experienced
by the inner ear, such as damage from loud noise,
also increases the expression of both p75NTR
and immature forms of BDNF. Because these
changes occur when primary auditory neurons
die, we investigated the hypothesis that p75NT is
responsible for this neuron death. Understanding
its role in the cochlea would enable us to exploit
this surface receptor as a candidate to target
drugs into the cochlea.
Identifying neurotrophin processing as
a potential target to treat sensorineural
hearing loss
In the auditory nervous system, brain-derived
neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is synthesised first as
an immature form before developing to a mature
form that aids the survival of primary auditory
neurons. A greater understanding of the nature
of this process of neuron survival, on a cellular
and molecular level, can be applied to increase
the effectiveness of treatments for hearing loss.
NDBEYOND/
OND/BIONIC
BIONIC EARSAND
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NDBEYOND/
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NDBEYOND/EARSAN
At 3, 6 and 9 weeks post-trauma, fewer primary
auditory neurons were found in the p75NTR -/- cohort,
indicating that blocking p75NTR function is harmful
to the survival of these neurons.
To ascertain whether an over-expression of
p75NTR in the cochlea post-trauma is responsible
for primary auditory neuron death we knocked
out the expression of p75NTR. Acoustic trauma
was used to induce secondary degeneration of
primary auditory neurons. Next, two cohorts of
animals were exposed to acoustic trauma: the first
had normal levels of p75NTR expression whereas
the second had deficient levels. If p75NTR causes
death of primary auditory neurons, we anticipated
more neuronal death in the normal group and less
in the deficient group. Cochlear pathologies were
examined in both cohorts at three different timepoints post-trauma: 3, 6 and 9 weeks. Multiple
time-points were investigated to determine
consistency in hypothesis testing. Contrary to
our predictions, the average number of primary
auditory neurons were lower in the deficient group
at all time-points tested. This means that knocking
out p75NTR in the cochlea has a negative effect
on survival of primary auditory neurons.
What implications would this finding have on inner
ear therapy? If antibodies are used to specifically
deliver drugs to the inner ear using p75NTR as a
target, these antibodies should be selected to only
recognise the receptor and not block its function
as these results demonstrate that knocking
out the p75NTR reduces a survival pathway
critical for primary auditory neurons. This study
illustrates how understanding basic biology can
help us make guided decisions on the design of
therapeutic interventions.
This research is supported by the Garnett Passe
and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation,
Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Percy
Baxter Charitable Trust. The team includes Dr
Justin Tan and collaborators Mr Rodney Millard
(The University of Melbourne) and Prof. Graham
Barrett (The University of Melbourne).
BEI Annual Report 08–09 7
The plastic effects of a bionic ear
on the developing nervous system
Like sections of an orchestra, different regions of
the cochlea are devoted to different frequencies
of sound but process the sound with precise
timing. This frequency and temporal processing
is normally continued throughout the auditory
pathway, including the brain. Unfortunately, this
processing is not fixed, and prolonged periods
of deafness can result in the scrambling of
the frequency organization and a blurring of
the temporal precision. These changes mean
that stimulation with even the best cochlear
implant can result in a jumbled signal (imagine
an orchestra playing out of tune and without a
conductor). This work addresses the effects of
long-term cochlear implant use on the frequency
organisation and temporal processing within the
auditory pathway.
Our previous work has shown that long-term
cochlear implant use, from a young age, results
in a near normal frequency organization of the
auditory pathway. This ‘retuning’ of the auditory
pathway demonstrates the remarkable plasticity
of the brain. Our more recent work indicates that
long-term cochlear implant use can also help
reverse the degradation in temporal processing
seen with deafness. Undoubtedly, the retuning
of the frequency organisation and reversal of the
degradation in temporal processing contributes
to the remarkable clinical performance observed
among patients implanted at a young age. Sadly,
congenitally deaf patients who are implanted later
in life do not do as well as those implanted early.
We have therefore recently begun to investigate
the effects of delaying the reactivation of the
auditory pathway. Preliminary results indicate that
while we are still able to retune the frequency
organisation, we are unable to completely reverse
the degradation in temporal processing. We
are now beginning to examine the precise time
course of these changes by moving towards
chronic recording from the auditory pathway.
This will allow us to see the changes in frequency
organisation and temporal processing evolve over
time, rather than seeing a single ‘snap-shot’. The
plastic nature of the central auditory pathway has
certainly been a contributing factor to the success
of the cochlear implant. Improving our ability to
harness this plasticity will be a vital aspect of
our continuing aim to produce a hi-fi bionic ear.
8 BEI Annual Report 08–09
This diagram shows how the auditory cortex of the
brain is organised from low frequencies (red) to high
frequences (blue) for people with normal hearing.
By contrast the auditory cortex in the deaf brain
can become disorganised if it is not stimulated early
enough in life. With a cochlear implant our research
results show neurons in a deaf brain reorganising in
a way that begins to resemble the organisation of
neurons in a hearing brain.
This research is supported by the NIDCD (HHSN-263-2007-00053-C) and the Victorian Lions
Foundation Inc. The team includes: Dr James
Fallon, Prof. Rob Shepherd, Prof. Dexter Irvine,
Ms Alison Evans, Ms Meera Ulaganathan,
Dr Andrew Wise, Dr Jin Xu, Mr Rodney Millard
(The University of Melbourne), Ms Helen Feng
(The University of Melbourne).
Protection of auditory neurons with
neurotrophins and chronic electrical
stimulation
In the deaf cochlea auditory neurons undergo
continual degeneration that ultimately leads to
neuronal death. The application of neurotrophins
(NTs) has been shown to prevent this ongoing
degeneration and even promote regrowth.
Furthermore, combining chronic electrical
stimulation with NT administration can enhance
the survival effects of NTs.
We are exploring a new method of combining
the delivering neurotrophic factors to the cochlea
with electrical stimulation. We are using cellbased therapies to provide the NTs in combination
with a cochlear implant. Porcine choroid plexus
cells (NTCell, Living Cell Technologies), are
encapsulated within a protective alginate capsule
before being implanted. The encapsulation of
the choroid plexus cells enables the diffusion
of neurotrophins into the cochlear fluids,
while minimising any immunological reaction.
Environmentally derived intracochlear electrical
stimulation (ICES) was delivered chronically via
a clinical stimulator (Nucleus CI24M, Cochlear™)
and processor (Esprit 3G, Cochlear™).
Results indicated that chronic ICES alone (without
NTs) did not provide greater neuronal survival
when compared to the contralateral untreated
cochlea. Importantly, chronic ICES in combination
with NT delivery provided greater neuronal
protection than NT alone or chronic ICES alone.
Treatment with NT alone led to an improvement
in electrical thresholds from electrically evoked
brainstem responses. These results indicate
that cell-based NT delivery in combination with
electrical stimulation delivered by a cochlear
implant can promote auditory neuron survival.
These findings have important implications for
future strategies that will combine cochlear
implantation with systems that deliver drugs safely
to the cochlea. This research project constitutes
a major step towards the implementation of new
techniques to restore hearing to deaf people and
producing a hi-fi bionic ear.
The application of a bionic ear
in small animal models
Mutations in specific genes account for
approximately 50% of childhood deafness. In the
past decade, deafness genes in mouse mutants
have been identified, providing a platform to study
the mechanisms of genetically based deafness in
humans. We are seeking to determine whether the
auditory systems of these mice have a common
cellular and molecular mechanism underlying
their deafness and how these compare to the
pathologies seen clinically. We are developing
the procedures and techniques to provide chronic
electrical stimulation with a bionic ear in these
models to determine if electrical stimulation can
reverse the deafness-associated pathologies seen
in these animals.
We have made considerable progress in the
development of the miniaturized bionic ear and
the surgical techniques for cochlear implantation
in the deafened mouse cochlea. The miniaturized
bionic ear is fully implantable and contains a
stimulator and the electrode array that is inserted
into the cochlea. Research on this project is
continuing. The next step is to evaluate the effects
of chronic electrical stimulation on auditory nerve
survival and function.
This research is supported by the NIDCD
(HHS- N-263-2007-00053-C). The team
includes: Dr Andrew Wise, Dr Jin Xu, Dr Matthew
Trotter (TWJ Fellow), Dr James Fallon and
Prof. Robert Shepherd.
A schematic diagram of a cross section through the
cochlea showing the encapsulated NTCells (emitting
NTs – green) and a bionic ear electrode delivering
electrical stimulation to the auditory neurons.
This treatment protected the auditory neurons
from deafness associated degeneration.
This research is supported NIDCD (HHS-N-2632007-00053-C). The team includes: Dr Andrew
Wise, Dr James Fallon, Prof. Robert Shepherd,
Ms Alison Evans, Ms Jacqueline Andrew, Dr Lisa
Pettingill and collaborator Dr Marilyn Geaney
(Living Cell Technologies).
BEI Annual Report 08–09 9
The effects of neurotrophins and cochlear
implant use on the spatial processing ability
of the cochlea
How does training alter the temporal
response of the auditory system with
cochlear stimulation?
Neurotrophins have been shown to prevent
the ongoing degeneration of auditory neurons,
the targets of a cochlear implant, that normally
follows a sensorineural hearing loss. The effects
of neurotrophins on the re-sprouting of the
peripheral processes of auditory neurons are less
clear. In a normal cochlea, these processes are
organised in a regular radial pattern, however
neurotrophin treatment may result in disorganised
re-sprouting, perhaps even to the extent that
pitch discrimination is reduced in cochlear implant
patients. This study aims to investigate this
possibility, as well as the effects of combining
neurotrophin treatment with chronic cochlear
implant use.
We know that cochlear stimulation can reverse
many of the degenerative changes in the auditory
system that results from deafness, but it is unclear
how important the context of this stimulation
is. For instance, is passive exposure sufficient,
or is active engagement necessary (i.e. through
training)? These issues obviously have a profound
impact and the best methods of rehabilitation
and training to give patients following cochlear
implant surgery.
Using a deaf animal model, cochleae were treated
with neurotrophins and/or a cochlear implant for
four weeks. Following treatment, simultaneous
multi-channel recordings of multi-unit spike
clusters were made in the auditory midbrain in
response to electrical stimulation of the cochlea.
The auditory midbrain has a well characterised
‘map’ of the cochlea in normal animals. Preliminary
analysis of the results from the neurotrophin
treated animals indicates little change to this map.
Therefore, any disorganisation of the re-sprouting
that may be occurring would be unlikely to have
functional consequences using currently available
clinical devices. However, there are ongoing efforts
to dramatically increase the number of functional
intra-cochlear stimulation sites, and therefore it
is important to also quantify the extent, if any,
of the disorganisation of the re-sprouting using
anatomical techniques. The peripheral processes
of individual neurons were examined with a neural
tracer dye and the pattern of re-sprouting in the
neurotrophin treated animals was markedly more
disorganised than normal animals. Therefore,
the increased neuronal survival and associated
decreases in activation thresholds seen with
neurotrophin treatment make it a good adjunct
to the currently available clinical implants.
However, the disorganised re-sprouting may be
an issue for the next generation of hi-fi bionic ears.
This research is supported by the NIDCD (HHS-N263-2007-00053-C), Bartholomew Rearden PhD
scholarship (Bionic Ear Institute) and Mabel Kent
Scholarship. The team includes PhD student Mr
Tom Landry, Prof. Rob Shepherd, Dr Andrew Wise
and Dr James Fallon.
10 BEI Annual Report 08–09
Therefore, this project is examining the changes
in the processing of temporal information that
follow long-term deafness and chronic stimulation,
presented both passively, and in combination
with training. Changes in temporal processing
will be quantified using both behavioral and
electrophysiological methods. This allows us to
identify the precise neural structures underlying
any changes, and therefore identify appropriate
targets for further directed training. We have
conducted pilot studies into both the behavioural
training, and electrophysiological aspects of this
study, and are currently expanding these studies
into our deafness model.
Confocal microscope images of the basal turn of a cochlea that has
been treated with neurotrophins and a cochlear implant. The top image
shows a low magnification image of the basal half turn, with the location
the stimulating electrodes overlaid in blue. Higher magnification images
of the peripheral auditory nerve fibres from the basal (left) and apical
(right) regions of the basal turn are shown in the bottom two images.
The disorganisation of the fibres is evident – normally organised fibres
would project “horizontally” in these images.
The outcomes of this study will provide important insights for the design of future devices,
particularly in the best ways to encode the
temporal aspects of a given signal. However,
and possibly more importantly, the results of
this study will directly influence the organization
of rehabilitation programs following cochlear
implantation, as sometimes overlooked aspect
in the development a hi-fi bionic ear.
This research is supported by the NIDCD (HHS-N263-2007-00053-C), The Bionic Ear Institute and
The University of Melbourne. The team includes
PhD Student Mr. David Perry, Dr. James Fallon,
Prof. Rob Shepherd and Prof. Hugh McDermott
(The University of Melbourne).
A
B
C
The 4-note melody
(A), the melody with
non-overlapping
distracter notes (B),
and the melody
with overlapping
distracter notes (C)
Cochlear implant processing to provide
better perception of music and pitch
Hearing devices, such as hearing aids and
cochlear implants, are commonly believed to be
able to fully restore hearing abilities, much as a
pair of glasses restores vision. Unfortunately, this
is not the case. Although hearing devices restore
the ability to understand speech remarkably
well, music perception and appreciation are still
problematic for most users. These problems
need to be addressed, as they greatly impair
the well-being and productivity of people with
impaired hearing.
Music perception and intelligibility of speech
in a noisy environment are related to the ability
to segregate different noises according to their
source. Therefore, psychoacoustic experiments
have been performed to test the ability of the
people with hearing impairment to segregate
a repeating melody out of other distracter
melodies made of random notes. The first part
of the experiment involved people with normal
hearing with and without musical expertise. This
was performed to extract a baseline and to test
whether auditory training, such as that received
by a musician, could influence auditory streaming
ability. Results show that a visual cue can influence
music perception by enhancing melody separation
and the effect of a visual cue on melody
segregation is negatively correlated with musical
training. These results support the assumption
that music perception can be enhanced with a
visual cue for people with impaired-hearing and
no musical training.
This research is supported by Soma Health
Pty Ltd, The Jack Brockhoff Foundation and
Tattersall’s George Adams Foundation. The team
includes Dr Jeremy Marozeau, Mr Hamish InnesBrown, Prof. Peter Blamey and collaborators Prof.
Anthony Burkitt (The University of Melbourne) and
Dr David Grayden, (The University of Melbourne).
The visual (red) and non-visual (black) data
Travelling wave delays for the
cochlear implant
The “Travelling Wave” sound processing technique
for cochlear implants is a new method for
processing sound that is based upon how sound
travels in the human auditory pathway. Travelling
wave delays are the frequency dependent delays
for sounds that arise because of the time it takes
for the vibration to travel along the cochlear
partition (basilar membrane) in the cochlea.
Electrical stimulation from the bionic ear
carries more information about sound when
travelling wave delays are included in the sound
processing strategy. The reason is that ordinarily,
all the components of a sound from a given
talker arrive at the listener’s ear simultaneously.
Cochlear implant recipients are limited in the
number of channels they can make use of, so
the processor typically discards all but the largest
few components of sound. When a travelling
wave delay is applied to the sound, however,
the different frequencies of the talker’s voice are
slightly offset from one-another in a way that
allows fewer sound components to be discarded.
In this research, traveling wave delays were
incorporated into thirteen cochlear implant
subjects’ speech processors.
BEI Annual Report 08–09 11
Computational investigations and a pilot study
were used to determine suitable travelling wave
delays. Subjects were then extensively tested with
a range of sentences-in-noise and words-in-quiet.
Improvements in the discrimination of voiced
sounds (such as vowels) were demonstrated.
The particular vowels most improved were those
that caused formant confusions (for example the
vowels in “heed” and “hood”). Similarly, consonant
confusions based on place of articulation were
also reduced, such as /b/ and /g/.
Fewer vowel confusions lead to significant
improvements in speech perception in noise
in some subjects, because vowels are typically
loud enough to be heard over background
noise. Both vowel and consonant improvements
contributed to a significant improvement in
speech-in-quiet perception.
The travelling wave delay research suggests that
improved speech recognition can be achieved by
incorporating aspects that mimic some of the fine
timing details of natural hearing. The Institute will
continue research along these lines in partnership
with Cochlear Ltd to deliver potential benefits to
existing and future implant recipients.
These results form part of Daniel Taft’s PhD.
They were presented at a recent Conference on
Implantable Auditory Prostheses. Daniel’s PhD
is funded by the Elizabeth and Vernon Puzey
Scholarship. Project expenses are funded by
the Harold Mitchell Foundation and by funds
raised by the Redmond Family. Collaborators
on this project include Department of Electrical
& Electronic Engineering and Department of
Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne.
Daniel is supervised by Dr David Grayden
(The University of Melbourne) and Prof.
Anthony Burkitt (The University of Melbourne).
Temporal pattern learning
and recognition in neural systems
Temporal patterns of many kinds are everywhere
in the sensory information received by
animals. Our research considers, in particular,
temporal sequences of events. Animals use
temporal sequences in navigation, memory,
and communication, but how such sequences
are represented in the brain is unknown. We
hypothesise that similar representations are used
in different systems. Based on data from the
navigation system found in the rat, along with
hypotheses about communication systems such
12 BEI Annual Report 08–09
as the birdsong system, we have developed a
model for sequence representation, recognition,
and learning. The model tells us about properties
of sequence representation that help us to
understand processes like navigation and speech
via the recognition of sequences whose elements
have durations on the order of the duration of
syllables. A sparse coding system, similar to that
observed in the birdsong system, ensures that
many closely related sequences can be stored
and recognized without interference. We showed
that the model is able to recognize sequences
of events even if the duration of events is highly
variable, an essential condition for speech
recognition. The model is scalable and reasonably
robust to variation in its parameters. We recently
extended the model to be able to learn sequences
through synaptic plasticity mechanisms and
examined the robustness of learning and plasticity.
By better understanding how speech is processed
in the brain, we can improve artificial speech
recognition.
The team includes Dr Sean Byrnes, Prof. Anthony
Burkitt (The University of Melbourne), Dr David
Grayden (The University of Melbourne) and Dr
Hamish Meffin (NICTA); and is a collaboration
between the BEI and the School of Engineering,
The University of Melbourne. The work is funded
by ARC Discovery Project DP0771815 and
The Harold Mitchell Foundation (postdoctoral
travel fellowship).
Learning in biological neural networks:
Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity and
emergence of functional pathways
Understanding the underlying processes that
determine the evolution of activity in biological
neural networks is a crucial step towards gaining
knowledge on the information processing
that takes place in the brain. This PhD project
conducted by Matthieu Gilson studies learning
in neurons through a mechanism called synaptic
plasticity, which describes the evolution of the
strengths of connections between neurons
(or synaptic weights). Such plasticity links the
molecular level to the behavioural level and is
believed to account for specialisation in the brain.
We use the Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity
(STDP) model observed in vitro, which relies on
the correlation (temporal coincidence) between
the action potentials (or spikes) fired by neurons.
Using a mathematical framework, we predict the
evolution of the distribution of synaptic weights
in a neural network stimulated by external spike
trains which convey spike-time information at the
fine temporal scale of several milliseconds. We
use numerical simulations in order to verify such
predictions on the weight structures learned by
the neural network, according to the external input
characteristics and the learning parameters.
We obtained positive results in describing the
emergence of specialised (i.e. sensitive to specific
stimuli) synchronous areas in the neural networks
at a mesoscopic scale (groups of several hundreds
neurons or more). This emergence of such
functional pathways can for example describe the
self-organisation in the primary visual cortex in the
first weeks after birth observed for mammalians.
Understanding such an information processing in
the brain could bring interesting developments
such as using the natural brain plasticity in order
to fine-tune electrical stimulation by neural
prostheses, aiming to restore or use sensorymotor functions in the central nervous system.
This research is supported by University of
Melbourne, NICTA, ARC Discovery Projects
#DP0453205 and #DP0664271. Matthieu
Gilson’s supervisors include: Prof. Anthony
Burkitt, Dr David Grayden, Dr Doreen A Thomas
(The University of Melbourne).
Gain modulation in neural systems with
feedback, feedforward and recurrent
connectivity
The way nerve responses combine and interact is
fundamental to how the nervous system extracts
and processes information and underlies a range
of functions, including sensory perception,
sensory-motor integration, attentional processing,
object recognition and navigation. However the
neural mechanisms underlying these functions
are poorly understood. This project examines the
mechanisms by which systems of interconnected
neurons modulate, control and stabilize their
responses, using mathematical techniques and
computational simulations.
The research has focussed on neural systems
that are organised as a sequence of layers due to
the connections between neurons. Such layered
neural systems make up the pathways in the brain
responsible for sensory information processing.
This information is believed to be carried within
a pathway by a modulation of the neural
responses within each layer. Using mathematical
techniques we have identified the conditions
under which such modulations can be transmitted
in a stable fashion throughout a pathway. We have
discovered a striking contrast between two types
of pathways. In those in which the connections
are purely feedforward, from one layer to the
next, we find that response modulations can not
be transmitted effectively. However, if pathways
incorporate additional recurrent connections
within each layer then response modulations
can be transmitted, provided the conditions
which we have identified are satisfied. We have
also investigated these layered neural systems
with computer simulations which support our
mathematical results and incorporate features of
neurons which the mathematical methods omit.
They also shed light on more complex phenomena
present in these systems, concerning the timing
of neural responses, which we plan to investigate
further. The project addresses fundamental crossdisciplinary issues of control and information
processing in large, distributed neural systems that
are at the cutting edge of research into intelligent
processing systems. Potential applications are
in rapidly growing fields of robotics, machine
learning, adaptive control and intelligent systems.
Applications to cochlear implant speech processing will provide benefit for the hearing impaired.
The team includes Dr Chris Trengove, Prof.
Anthony Burkitt, and Dr David Grayden (The
University of Melbourne). The work is funded
by ARC Discovery Project Grant DP0664271.
Audiovisual integration
in children and adults
In the natural world, we often encounter events
or objects which stimulate both the auditory
and visual senses. The ability to usefully combine
information from the eyes and ears is called
audiovisual integration. Development of speech
and language relies on accurate auditory
perception as well as the ability to combine
and associate sounds with their corresponding
object and events. Hearing loss is known to cause
changes in the auditory, visual and multisensory
integration pathways of the brain, often leading
to problems in speech and language development.
Although hearing aids and cochlear implants can
restore hearing, some children still experience
delays in speech and language acquisition, and
have difficulties in speech perception – particularly
in noisy environments. Thus, this project aimed
to investigate the development of auditory, visual
and multisensory processes and their relationship
BEI Annual Report 08–09 13
to the acquisition of speech and language
in children with normal and impaired hearing.
To gain insight into the development of
multisensory integration we have completed
data collection for three studies. In the first
study, brain activity was measured using
electroencephalography while subjects performed
an audiovisual detection task. Findings revealed
that adults and children with normal hearing, as
well as children with cochlear implants benefit
from receiving simultaneous auditory and visual
information, and that performance improves with
age. Brain regions involved in the integration of
auditory and visual stimuli in children were more
widespread compared to adults, indicating that
audiovisual integration processes have not fully
matured by late childhood. A second behavioural
study showed that when background noise was
present, both auditory and audiovisual integrative
processes are impaired to a greater extent in
children than adults. These initial studies also
indicated that some children were delayed in their
ability to integrate auditory and visual information.
Therefore, in a third large-scale study differences
in cognitive abilities, as assessed by the Wechsler
Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV),
between children who showed good multisensory
integration and those who showed delays were
assessed. Findings showed that children who
were good audiovisual integrators in both quiet
and noisy conditions had higher full scale IQ
scores, while children who were poor integrators
in the presence of auditory noise had relatively
lower verbal IQ measures.
As multisensory integration does not reach
maturity until adolescence, it is likely that
intervention strategies throughout childhood
can enhance and improve audiovisual integration
processes. Therefore our next aim is to develop
and test training and rehabilitation strategies
aimed at improving audiovisual integration in
noisy environments throughout childhood. This
will lead to enhanced verbal and language skills
in children with and without impaired hearing.
This research is supported by The Corio
Foundation and the Victorian Foundation for
the Promotion of Oral Education of the Deaf
(managed by ANZ Trustees Limited). The
team includes: Ms Ayla Barutchu, Mr Hamish
Innes-Brown, Assoc. Prof. Antonio Paolini (until
December 2008), Prof. Peter Blamey, Dr Mohit
Shivdasani, and collaborators Prof. Sheila Crewther
(La Trobe University), Dr David Grayden (The
University of Melbourne) and Dr Shani Dettman
(Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and The
University of Melbourne).
Figure A shows motor reaction times (ms) of children and adults for auditory (AS), visual (VS) and
audiovisual (AVS) stimuli. Figure B illustrates topographic maps of brain activity showing changes in
voltage related to multisensory integration across the scalp of children and adults at two different time
points after stimulus onset.
14 BEI Annual Report 08–09
BEI Annual Report 08–09 15
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To enhance and maintain the surviving neurons in deaf cochlear
implant recipients, we are researching methods to deliver
neurotrophic factors into the cochlea by encapsulating them in
nanoparticles. Another alternative is to encapsulate neurotrphin
producing cells in a biocompatible matrix where they will
continuously secrete neurotrophins into the cochlea. We are
also investigating gene therapy to modify cells in the cochlea,
enabling them to produce neurotrophins. These three studies
have important potential for clinical applications because
we envisage a next generation of cochlear implants that can
actively deliver drugs which can either preserve residual hearing
or prevent further degeneration of primary auditory neurons.
This may eventually translate to improved performance for
cochlear implantees. Similar techniques may be applied in other
parts of the body for applications such as spinal cord repair and
retinal implants.
16 BEI Annual Report 08–09
A novel therapeutic approach encapsulating
brain-derived neurotrophic factor in
nanoparticles for treating sensorineural
hearing loss.
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
is known in animal models to prevent primary
auditory neurons from further degeneration
after a trauma to the inner ear. In particular,
when BDNF delivery is used in combination with
cochlear implants, the survival of primary auditory
neurons is significantly increased, compared
to either BDNF delivery or cochlear implants
alone. This prompted collaboration with chemical
engineers at the University of Melbourne to
encapsulate BDNF in polymer-based capsules
and to release it in a sustainable manner.
This study has important potential for clinical
applications because we envisage a next generation of cochlear implants which can actively
deliver drugs which can either preserve residual
hearing or prevent further degeneration of primary
auditory neurons. This may eventually translate
to better performance for cochlear implantees.
This research is supported by the NIDCD (HHSN-263-2007-00053-C), the Australian Research
Council and by funds raised by John Nelson
through the Rotary Club of Mitchell River.
The team includes: Dr Fergal Glynn, Dr Justin
Tan, Prof. Rob Shepherd and collaborators Prof.
Frank Caruso (The University of Melbourne) and
Dr Wang Yajun (The University of Melbourne).
Using mesoporous silica as a starting template, we
infiltrated their pores with polymers of glutamate,
a naturally occurring amino acid. Because these
pores have dimensions in the order of nanometers,
our particles are also called nanoparticles for ease
of reference. The advantage of using glutamate is
that it provides a stable scaffold for encapsulating
BDNF. Because the entire synthesis occurs in
acidic conditions, we need to establish if BDNF
would retain its chemical integrity after synthesis.
By changing the pH of the solution, we were able
VERY/DRUGDELIVERY/
to release the BDNF; a crucial step required for
determining its integrity and biological activity.
DRUGDELIVERY/
If the structure of BDNF is preserved, we would
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be able to detect it using an antibody-based assay
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called enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Up
to 60 days post-release, we were able to measure
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BDNF effectively; a first hint that its structure is
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by and large unaffected by the synthesis. Because
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we are more interested in the biological effect of
BDNF released from nanoparticles, we added it
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to serum-deprived cultures of neurons. Without
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BDNF, these neurons naturally die. In the presence
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of BDNF released from nanoparticles, survival
of the neurons was greatly enhanced.
A
B
Transmission electron microscopy image (A) and scanning electron
microscopy image (B) of BDNF-encapsulated nanoparticles.
Dying neurons show a dark staining. In the absence
of BDNF, more dying neurons could be observed (A),
whereas adding BDNF released from nanoparticles
rescue many of these neurons from dying (B).
Statistical analysis of 4 different experiments
show that BDNF released from nanoparticles has a
significant effect, comparable to recombinant BDNF (C).
BEI Annual Report 08–09 17
Long-term rescue of auditory neurons
using cell-based delivery of neurotrophins
and cochlear implantation
The auditory neurons are the target cells of
the cochlear implant. However, in deafness,
the auditory neurons undergo progressive
degeneration which may be a limiting factor in
cochlear implant efficacy and the benefits that
patients can derive. The application of nerve
survival factors, known as neurotrophins, can
prevent the degeneration that normally occurs;
however, these survival effects are lost once
the treatment finishes. In addition, appropriate
delivery mechanisms are required for safe
clinical translation. Our research aims to use a
combination of cell- and gene-based methods,
in conjunction with a cochlear implant, to provide
ongoing neurotrophin treatment and support
long-term auditory neuron survival.
In May 2009, Molecular Biologist, Dr Mark Zanin,
was appointed as a Research Fellow. Dr Zanin
will take a lead role in genetically modifying
cells to secrete neurotrophins. Dr Zanin will be
working with Dr Lisa Pettingill to encapsulate
these neurotrophin-producing cells in a biocompatible matrix, and to subsequently utilize
18 BEI Annual Report 08–09
the encapsulated cells in models of deafness
in conjunction with a cochlear implant.
The research team includes Dr Lisa Pettingill,
funded by the Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams
Memorial Foundation project grant, Prof. Rob
Shepherd, Ms Rebecca Argent and Dr Mark Zanin,
funded by NHMRC project grant 526901, and
collaborators, Prof. Alan Harvey (The University of
Western Australia), Prof. Dwaine Emerich and Dr
Chris Thanos (Thanos Scientific Consulting, USA).
Gene therapy for targeted regeneration
of auditory neurons after hearing loss
Loss of hair cells leads to progressive
degeneration of the auditory neurons potentially
reducing the efficacy of the cochlear implant.
We previously discovered that flooding the
cochlea with neurotrophins protected auditory
neurons after deafness, but we noticed that the
nerve fibres grew abnormally which could result in
a confusing sound output from a cochlear implant.
Using clues from the normal development of
the inner ear, we proposed that a more localised
source of neurotrophins will give the neurons
signals to survive and to provide a directional
cue to guide their growth to the right location.
Gene therapy techniques allow the cochlea’s own
cells to produce neurotrophins just as hair cells
would normally do. We used modified adenoviral
vectors to introduce a control gene called green
fluorescent protein (GFP) or neurotrophin genes
into cochlear cells. We injected these vectors
into the scala tympani, or the scala media,
a smaller compartment where the auditory
neurons normally connect to hair cells.
The results of this study were extremely
encouraging. Gene expression from scala media
injections was found to be localized to the correct
region for providing specific directional cues
to resprouting neurons, whereas scala tympani
injections resulted in very broad and dispersed
gene expression that would provide little guidance
to growing neurons.
Introduction of neurotrophin genes into the scala
media and the resulting localised gene expression
also promoted the greatest nerve survival after
hearing loss in an animal model compared to
other groups. Furthermore, when we examined
the response of the growing tips of the nerve
fibres to these localised regions of neurotrophin
gene expression, we found evidence of nerve
fibres growing towards cells expressing the neurotrophins. This was not the case for the control
GFP gene or for scala tympani injection sites.
Example of gene expression (green cells) resulting
from injection of gene therapy vectors into the
scala media of a deafened guinea pig cochlea.
Gene expression was predominantly observed in
cells within the organ of Corti (arrow), the structure
in which hearing nerves normally connect to hair cells.
This result indicates that localised gene therapy is a
promising therapy for correctly regrowing hearing
nerves after hearing loss.
This study provides the first steps towards
controlling nerve growth in the cochlea after
hearing loss. If we can achieve long-term nerve
survival and controlled regrowth of nerve fibres
after hearing loss, then we can potentially
improve the quality of sound perceived via
a cochlear implant.
This research is funded by the Garnett Passe
and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation
and the Royal National Institute for Deaf People
(UK). The team includes: Dr Rachael Richardson,
Dr Andrew Wise, Prof. Rob Shepherd, Ms Brianna
Flynn, Ms Courtney Suhr, Ms Beatrice Sgro,
Mr Yogesh Jeelall and collaborators, Prof. Stephen
O’Leary (The University of Melbourne) and Prof.
Clifford Hume (The University of Washington).
High power image of two cells in the cochlea
expressing neurotrophins (green cells; arrows)
correctly guiding the regrowth of hearing nerve fibres
(red) after hearing loss. Other nerves (arrowheads)
that were not influenced by neurotrophin gene
therapy continue to grow in the wrong direction.
BEI Annual Report 08–09 19
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The Bionic Ear Institute is a team member of Bionic Vision Australia
(BVA). BVA is a partnership of world-leading Australian research
institutions collaborating to develop an advanced bionic eye. Other
team members include: the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA);
National ICT Australia (NICTA); The University of Melbourne and
The University of NSW.
The overall goal is to develop a bionic implant capable of restoring
reading vision to people suffering from eye diseases such as age
related macular degeneration, which is responsible for 48% of all
blindness in Australia.
The bionic eye will include a video camera which will capture and
process the images and these images are sent wirelessly to a bionic
implant. The implant then stimulates dormant optic nerves to
generate ‘phosphenes’ that form the basis of images in the brain.
This research is supported by The Ian Potter Foundation and
John T Reid Charitable Trusts.
20 BEI Annual Report 08–09
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A new surgical approach
for implanting a bionic eye
Optimised electrical stimulation for
a bionic eye that is safe and effective
An important aspect of the program is the
development of surgical techniques to implant the
device and ensure that it remains in a fixed place.
Several surgical approaches have been proposed
for placement of an electrode array for a retinal
prostheses; for example epiretinal electrode
arrays placed directly on the inner surface of
the retina, sub-retinal arrays placed between the
retinal layers, and scleral arrays placed on the
outer surface (sclera) of the eye. Each of these
approaches has potential advantages and inherent
safety issues. Recently, implantation of electrode
arrays on the surface of the choroid, the blood
vessel network of the eye, has shown promise
in that there is a natural cleavage plane between
the sclera and choroid that can provide a pocket
to hold the electrodes in a stable geometry
behind the retina (suprachoroidal placement).
A new surgical approach for implanting a bionic
eye has been developed, and the safety and
reproducibility of this supra-choroidal approach
is being evaluated.
The aim of this study is to determine if electrical
stimulation of a retinal prosthesis (bionic eye)
placed on the surface of the choroid behind
the retina (supra-choroidal space) is safe and
effective. Specifically, we aim to assess factors
such as thresholds required for activation of the
primary visual cortex from electrical stimulation
of the retina, and the dependence of cortical
thresholds on electrode surface area.
The team includes PhD student Mr Joel Villalobos,
Dr Mohit Shivdasani, Dr James Fallon, Ms Meera
Ulaganathan, Ms Rebecca Argent, Assoc. Prof.
Chris Williams and collaborators: Dr Penny Allen
(CERA), Dr Mark McCombe (CERA), Dr Chi Luu
(CERA) Prof. Robyn Guymer (CERA), Prof. Nigel
Lovell (University of NSW), Assoc. Prof. Gregg
Suaning (University of NSW), Prof. Stan Skafidis
(NICTA/University of Melbourne) and Prof.
Anthony Burkitt (NICTA/University of Melbourne).
Histological section of the eye stained with MSB
Trichrome showing the location of the electrode
placement in the suprachoroidal space (x).
Our results have significant implications for
the optimal design of supra-choroidal retinal
prostheses. First, we were able to successfully
elicit activation of the visual cortex through
electrical stimulation, with thresholds well below
previously established safety limits for platinum
electrodes. Second, our results indicate that
electrode area can have a significant impact on
thresholds required for cortical activation with
larger electrodes requiring less power to activate
the retina compared to smaller electrodes;
therefore the implant array design will have
to balance high spatial resolution and power
efficient activation.
Electrically evoked potentials (EEPs) recorded
from the surface of the primary visual cortex in an
experimental model in response to simultaneous
electrical stimulation of six suprachoroidal electrode
sites at various current levels. Peak-Peak response
amplitude as a function of current with sigmoid curve
fitted (left panel). Response waves at each individual
current level (right panel). Stimulus presented at
0ms. Note response occurs at approximately 5ms
compatible with direct activation of retinal ganglion
cells. EEP Threshold taken as 120uA.
BEI Annual Report 08–09 21
This automated system enabled mapping of
stimulation to large numbers of electrodes plus
effective impedance testing and error handling.
This approach will be useful for stimulation
studies and development of specifications for
high-density retinal prostheses. In addition, this
system can also be used to characterise stimulator
compliance limits and detect electrode faults.
Supra-choroidal electrode array (6 row x 12 electrode
arrangement) used for acute studies. Electrode sites
are initially electroplated with gold (top) followed by
platinum electroplating (bottom).
The team includes: Dr Mohit Shivdasani, Dr James
Fallon, PhD student Ms Rosemary Ciccione,
Mr Graeme Rathbone, Prof. Rob Shepherd, Assoc.
Prof. Chris Williams and collaborators: Dr Penny
Allen (CERA), Dr Mark McCombe (CERA),
Dr Chi Luu (CERA) Prof. Robyn Guymer (CERA),
Prof. Nigel Lovell (University of NSW), Assoc. Prof.
Gregg Suaning (University of NSW), Dr David Ng
(NICTA) and Prof. Stan Skafidis (NICTA/University
of Melbourne) and Prof. Anthony Burkitt (NICTA/
University of Melbourne).
A new high resolution switch array
for a bionic eye
New high resolution stimulation techniques
are need to generate the images for useful
bionic vision. Furthermore electrode
impedance as a measure of the capacity of
charge transfer to neural tissue plays a vital
role in understanding the functional ability of
stimulation electrodes in a neural prosthesis.
Monitoring of the instantaneous electrode
impedance during stimulation will significantly
improve understanding of the electrodetissue interface and can verify proper working
of the electrodes. Our aims are to develop a
high resolution stimulator and an automated
impedance measurement system to be used
in the development of a bionic eye.
22 BEI Annual Report 08–09
Stimulation voltage waveforms recorded invitro (saline) and 29 hours post-op in-vivo in an
experimental model from stimulation of a single
160um (top) and a 395um (bottom) electrode
site at 200uA. From these voltage waveforms,
impedence can be calculated.
The team includes: Dr Mohit Shivdasani, Dr James
Fallon, Masters Student Mr James Leuenberger,
PhD student Mr Sam John, Mr Graeme Rathbone,
Mr Rodney Millard, Mr Mark Harrison, Prof.
Rob Shepherd, Assoc. Prof. Chris Williams and
collaborators: Dr Penny Allen (CERA), Dr Mark
McCombe (CERA), Dr Chi Luu (CERA) Prof. Robyn
Guymer (CERA), Prof. Nigel Lovell (University
of NSW), Assoc. Prof. Gregg Suaning (University
of NSW) and Prof. Stan Skafidis (NICTA/University
of Melbourne) and Prof. Anthony Burkitt (NICTA/
University of Melbourne).
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APPLICATIONS/INTELLIGENTIMPLANTSFORNEUROLOGICALAPPLICATIONS/INTELLIGENTIMPLA
INTELLIGENTIMPLANTSFORNEUROLOGICALAPPLICATIONS/INTELLIGENTIMPLANTSFORNEURO
IMPLANTSFORNEUROLOGICALAPPLICATIONS/INTELLIGENTIMPLANTSFORNEUROLOGICALAPPL
FORNEUROLOGICALAPPLICATIONS/INTELLIGENTIMPLANTSFORNEUROLOGICALAPPLICATIONS
NEUROLOGICALAPPLICATIONS/INTELLIGENTIMPLANTSFORNEUROLOGICALAPPLICATIONS/INT
INTELLIGENT
IMPLANTS FOR
NEUROLOGICAL
APPLICATIONS
The bionic ear was the first and is still the most sophisticated medical bionics device
ever made, although medical bionics devices for other applications are also on the
market, providing solutions for otherwise intractable medical problems. The BEI has
planned and initiated the implementation of several initiatives, applying the lessons
learned from the bionic ear to the Central Nervous System (CNS). New theoretical
ideas, experimental studies, and new technologies provided by our clinical and
research partners at St Vincent’s Hospital and the Universities of Melbourne and
Wollongong allow us to stimulate nerves selectively in the brain and the spinal cord
for applications including focal epilepsy and traumatic injuries such as paraplegia
and phantom limb pain. These advances may also feed back into the cochlear
implant research to provide more selective stimulation of hearing nerves and finer
auditory discrimination of sound. Over the next few years, these technologies will
be applied with the help of our industry and clinical partners, including Cochlear Ltd
and St Vincent’s Hospital to create a new medical bionics Platform of intelligent CNS
implants to address multiple neurological applications.
BEI Annual Report 08–09 23
activity) or brain monitoring and has the potential
to contribute to clinically relevant outcomes, such
as the development of an implantable therapeutic
device for seizure prevention.
Our novel approach overcomes some of the
inherent problems with the existing methods
and theory of seizure prediction and brain signal
analysis. By actively determining input-to-output
relationships in the brain, we will have a more
direct measure of the brain’s activity than is
possible when only passive recordings are used.
This will provide the opportunity to apply analysis
techniques that are used in systems theory (such
as estimation and control techniques) to better
understand the brain.
To date, we have obtained data from 6 patients at
St Vincent’s Hospital (Melbourne) who have been
admitted for pre-surgical evaluation. Initial results
indicate our approach has the potential to solve
this important problem.
Epileptic seizure prediction and the
dynamics of the electrical fields in the brain
Epilepsy is a chronic disease of the brain that
affects around 1-2% of people. The defining
characteristic of epilepsy is recurrent seizures,
with uncontrolled seizures carrying a risk of injury,
irreversible brain damage, or death. Anti-epileptic
drugs are the mainstay of epilepsy treatment;
however, despite this one third of focal-epilepsy
patients have frequent uncontrolled seizures
(approximately 20 million people). For these
people, seizures may strike at any time, leaving
them severely restricted in their day-to-day
activities. Our research offers hope for people with
uncontrollable epilepsy by developing a method
of predicting seizures. Successful outcomes will
not only provide a warning for patients, but will
provide an opportunity for intervention, potentially
preventing seizures from occurring.
Although epileptic seizures appear to occur at
random, there is evidence that there are changes
in the brain’s dynamical behaviour prior to
attacks. However, tracking the behaviour of a
system as complicated as the brain is extremely
challenging. The field of epileptic seizure
prediction has developed considerably over
the last 30 years, but this important problem
remains unsolved. We propose an active strategy
to monitor the brain by measuring the brain’s
responses to low-intensity electrical stimulations
(below perceptual threshold) using intracranial
electroencephalography (EEG). This approach
represents a paradigm shift from conventional
passive techniques (analysis of ongoing EEG
24 BEI Annual Report 08–09
This project is part of the interdisciplinary
research supported by the ARC Linkage Project
LP 0560684 and is a collaboration between the
BEI, School of Engineering (The University of
Melbourne) and St Vincent’s Hospital (Melbourne).
The team includes PhD student Dean Freestone,
Dr David Grayden (The University of Melbourne,
Prof. Anthony Burkitt (The University of
Melbourne), Prof. Mark Cook (St. Vincent’s
Hospital-Melbourne), Dr Levin Kuhlmann (The
University of Melbourne) and Prof Iven Mareels
(The University of Melbourne).
Nano-Bionics: To improve the “bionic ear”
and repair damaged nerves in the spinal
cord following traumatic injury.
The Nano-Bionics Program of the Australian
Research Council Centre of Excellence for
Electromaterials Science (ACES) has partner
nodes within The University of Wollongong,
St Vincent’s Hospital, Monash University and
The Bionic Ear Institute. The research outlined
below has been conducted within the Bionic Ear
Institute’s Eric Bauer “Nano-Bionics” laboratory.
This project aims to improve communication
between living nerve cells and bionic devices
using electro-conductive nano-materials including
carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and other conducting
polymers. Nanostructured electro-materials such
as CNTs have diameters in the order of tens to
hundreds of nanometres (one nanometre is a
millionth of a millimetre). They possess unique
and useful properties, including excellent electrical
conductivity and high tensile strength. These
properties make CNTs a promising material
for the next generation of neural-computer
interfacing electrodes. They may be able to
stimulate nerve cells with a more intimate and
localised electrical field that uses less power than
conventional electrodes. CNT electrodes may thus
give Bionic Ear recipients better perception of
sound with smaller devices.
Nano-Safety: Biocompatibility
of novel biomaterials
There is some concern regarding the safety of
nano-materials, particularly for biological use.
There has been a call for more studies on nanobiocompatibility, from both the lay and scientific
community. Therefore, the important first step
of our work is to investigate the safety and
efficacy of proposed composite nano-materials
for neural (and other bionic) prostheses. We
have been studying the biocompatibility of
composite materials containing CNTs in vivo to
determine whether they can be used safely in a
physiological setting. We are also interested in
examining the growth of biological material on
the surface of the chronically implanted nanomaterials. Characterising the extent of this tissue
‘build-up’ is important as it limits the performance
of devices using electrodes to communicate with
nearby nerves. We have finished the experimental
phase and are currently evaluating the results
of our chronic study. Our data, the first of their
kind, will inform future work in the emerging field
of nano-bionics from within our group as well as
around the world.
Neural Repair: Polymer scaffolds
for directed regrowth of spinal nerves
This aspect of the program is focused towards
development of polymer scaffolds that can guide
functional repair of nerves after spinal cord injury.
Electrophysiological recordings from the spinal
nerves are used for intra-operative targeting
during the grafting and polymer insertion surgery
and enable insight into the functional capabilities
of nerves regenerated with these polymer
scaffolds. Ultimately, these studies may lead
to development of a “bionic spine”.
Neural Interfacing: development of improved
“nano-bionic” electrodes for hi-fidelity
cochlear implants
The challenge is to create a serviceable interface
between CNTs and a conventional electrical
circuit. We are investigating several methods
to accomplish this, involving platinum sputtercoating and various other methods by which to
attach nano-bionic elements to electrode surfaces.
Once we have created an effective connection
to a CNT-based electrode array, we will use the
cochlea and auditory brainstem as a model to
record responses to stimulation with and without
nano-stimulation. These recordings will reveal
whether stimulation with novel CNT electrodes
results in a greater degree of frequency resolution
than would be expected with conventional
electrodes. These studies are aimed towards
designing better electrodes for cochlear implants
that will give the recipients a more high-fidelity
perception of sound.
A
B
A. intra-operative electrophysiological recordings
from spinal nerves allows targeting of sensory nerve
grafts to bypass damaged spinal areas. B. sensory
nerves are encouraged to regrow into the dorsal
root entry zone with the aid of novel bio-polymers.
Williams et al. unpublished data
These projects at the Bionic Ear Institute have
been supported by The Australian Research
Council’s Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials
Science (ACES). The 2008/2009 team includes:
Dr David Nayagam, Assoc. Prof. Chris Williams,
Ms Kylie Magee, Mr Ronald Leung, Mr Stuart
Gresham, Dr Anita Quigley (until December 2008)
and Prof. Graeme Clark (until January 2009).
Dr David Nayagam received a study skills award
from the Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative.
Contributors to these projects within the broader
ACES program include: Centre Director Prof.
Gordon Wallace, Assoc. Prof. Rob Kapsa, Assoc.
Prof. Tony Paolini, Dr Jun Chen, Dr Joselito Razal,
Assoc. Prof. Peter Innis , Assoc. Prof. Richard
Williams, and Mr Phil Francis.
BEI Annual Report 08–09 25
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BIONIC TECHNOLOGIES
AUSTRALIA FINAL REPORT
Bionic Technologies Australia (BTA) was established in November 2005 as a joint venture funded by
a $6 million Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Grant from the Victorian State Government
and $6.5 million in-kind contributions from the partners: The Bionic Ear Institute, St Vincent’s Hospital
(Melbourne) Ltd, CSIRO (Divisions of Molecular and Health Technologies and Textile and Fibre
Technology), the University of Wollongong, and PolyNovo Biomaterials Pty Ltd. 2008/9 was BTA’s
final year of operation and activities focussed on the delivery of outcomes to the partners.
The Bionic Ear Institute was the administering organisation for the STI grant funds. The activities of
BTA were governed by a Board and managed by the Centre Executive. The Institute wishes to thank
Mr Robert Trenberth (Independent Chair) and the following Board members for their contribution
during the year, Mr Tim Griffiths (BEI nominee), Ms Linda Peterson (Board Secretary), Mr Peter Gover,
(Finance Manager), Prof. Mark Cook (St Vincent’s Hospital nominee), Mr Charles Lindall (CSIRO
nominee), Prof. Gordon Wallace (University of Wollongong nominee) and Ms Troy Coyle (University
of Wollongong nominee). The Institute also wishes to thank the Centre Executive comprised of the
Chief Executive Officer, Dr Russell Tait, each of three Program Leaders; Prof. Mark Cook (St Vincent’s)
– Epilepsy Program Leader, Assoc. Prof. Rob Kapsa (The Bionic Ear Institute) – Neural Repair Program
Leader, and Dr Mike O’Shea (CSIRO) – Infection Control Program Leader.
26 BEI Annual Report 08–09
Scientific Research Outcomes
Bionic Technologies Australia quickly established
three research programs that continued to
produce significant scientific outcomes during
the course of the 2008/2009 year.
Peripheral Nerve Repair
The Peripheral Nerve Repair Program utilises
tubular polymer scaffolds with inbuilt features
to encourage nerve growth initially aimed at
repairing traumatic nerve damage in limbs.
The device under development was designed
to replace a segment of damaged nerve by
being sutured between the ends of the nerve and
encouraging new nerve growth down the conduit.
We successfully fabricated tubular polymer
scaffolds and tested their performance in a rat
sciatic nerve model. Histological evidence of neural
repair was found. It is anticipated that a number
of peer reviewed scientific articles will arise from
the research so that the knowledge acquired with
the support of Bionic Technologies Australia is
freely available for the wider scientific community.
Infection control for implantable devices
Significant scientific progress was made within the
VERY/DRUGDELIVERY/
Infection Control program during the course of the
DRUGDELIVERY/
year. In particular, a novel drug-polymer conjugate
technology that enables production of polymer
VERY/DRUGDELIVERY/
materials that contain more than 50% by weight
DRUGDELIVERY/
of drug has been produced. Bionic Technologies
VERY/DRUGDELIVERY/
Australia was able to reduce to practice various
conjugate forms in support of three provisional
DRUGDELIVERY/
patent applications. The technologies covered
VERY/DRUGDELIVERY/
by the patent applications allow the production
DRUGDELIVERY/
of polymers with a wide variety of physical and
chemical properties. The polymers can be bonded
VERY/DRUGDELIVERY/
to a wide variety of drug molecules that are
DRUGDELIVERY/
released over controlled periods of time up to 100
days as the polymer is eroded into smaller nontoxic molecules. The technology has been used
to produce a proof-of-concept demonstration
of an infection control coating for any indwelling
medical device and an ocular implant for the
treatment of bacterial endophthalmitis.
Early treatment of epileptic seizures
with anti-epileptic devices
The Epilepsy Control Program interfaces
signal processing technology with direct brain
stimulation to produce an electronic implantable
device implant for the recognition and control
of epileptic seizures either by the stimulation of
target regions within the central nervous system
or by the controlled release of therapeutic drugs.
During the course of the 2008/2009 year we
obtained consistent results that show seizure
termination in a rat model with one of our
therapeutic stimulation paradigms. A provisional
patent application was filed to protect this
technology. Within the drug delivery part of the
Program we were able to demonstrate that local
delivery of an anti-epileptic drug can be used to
treat this neurological disease.
Potential Clinical and Commercial Opportunities
The drug-polymer-conjugate technology is
the furthest advanced of outcomes from BTA
research. The technology may be used as a
platform for several drug delivery applications,
not just for infection control in implantable
devices. The Bionic Ear Institute, CSIRO, and
the Centre for Eye Research Australia are in
the process of engaging potential investors
to fund future development of the drugpolymer-conjugate technology for ophthalmic
applications. Furthermore, research partners have
been identified to support development of the
technology for novel wound care products.
The challenge moving forward for the epileptic
seizure device is to demonstrate the robustness
of the seizure termination paradigm and
translate the rat result to a demonstrable seizure
termination in a human subject. Five human
patients have been tested in acute (one-week)
trials of the process using bench-top equipment
during the last 18 months with encouraging results.
The Institute and St Vincent’s Hospital are seeking
funding for a further 15 patients, and to develop a
more portable device that will accelerate the data
collection from human patients.
Success arising from any one of these programs is
likely to have a significant impact on patient health
and well being and on Victoria’s economic growth.
Dr Russell Tait CEO
Bionic Technologies Australia
In lay terms, the drug-polymer conjugate is like
a LEGO®* set that can be used to build multiple
infection control products with different physical
properties from similar building blocks.
Prof. Peter Blamey Assistant Director
The Bionic Ear Institute
*LEGO® is a registered trademark of the LEGO group
BEI Annual Report 08–09 27
PUBLICATIONS
Book Chapters
1.Aitkin, L. M., & Shepherd, R. K.
(in press). Auditory neurobiology
of Australian marsupials. In K.W.S.
Ashwell (Ed.), Neurobiology of
Australian Marsupials, Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
2.Epstein, M. & Marozeau, J.
(in press). Loudness and Intensity
Coding. In C. Plack (Ed.) Oxford
Handbook of Auditory Science:
Vol. 3. Hearing, Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
3. Irvine, D. R. F. (2009). Auditory
System: Central Pathway Plasticity.
In L. R. Squire (Ed.) Encyclopedia
of Neuroscience, (pp. 737-744.)
Oxford:Academic Press.
4.Marozeau, J. (in press). Models
of Loudness in M. Florentine, A.
Popper and R. Fay (Eds.) Springer
Handbook of Auditory Research:
Loudness, Heidelberg: Springer.
Journal articles
1.Backhouse, S., Coleman, B., &
Shepherd, R. K. (2008). Surgical
access to the mammalian
cochlea for cell-based therapies.
Experimental Neurology, 214(2),
193–200.
2.Clark, G. (2009). The multi-channel
cochlear implant: Past, present
and future perspectives. Cochlear
Implants International, 10(S1), 2–13.
3.Coleman, B., Rickard, N. A.,
de Silva, M. G., & Shepherd,
R. K. (2009). A protocol for
cryoembedding the adult guinea
pig cochlea for fluorescence
immunohistology. Journal of
Neuroscience Methods, 176(2),
144–151.
4.Fallon, J. B., Irvine, D. R.,
& Shepherd, R. K. (2009).
Cochlear implant use following
neonatal deafness influences the
cochleotopic organization of the
primary auditory cortex in cats.
Journal of Comparative Neurology,
512(1), 101–114.
28 BEI Annual Report 08–09
5.Halliday, A. J., & Cook, M. J. (2009).
Polymer-based drug delivery
devices for neurological disorders.
Cns & Neurological Disorders-Drug
Targets, 8(3), 205–221.
6.Innes-Brown, H., & Crewther, D.
(2009). The impact of spatial
incongruence on an auditoryvisual illusion. PLoS ONE, 4(7),
e6450. doi:10.1371/journal.
pone.0006450.
7.Levay, E. A., Paolini, A. G., Govic,
A., Hazi, A., Penman, J., & Kent,
S. (2008). Anxiety-like behaviour
in adult rats perinatally exposed
to maternal calorie restriction.
Behavioural Brain Research, 191(2),
164–172.
8.Lu W., Xu J., Shepherd R. K.
(2008). Rat model for cochlear
implant research. Chinese Journal
of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology
- Head and Neck Surgery. 22(13),
603–605.
9.Richardson, R., Wise, A.,
Thompson, B., Flynn, B., Atkinson,
P., Fretwell, N., Fallon, J., Wallace,
G., Shepherd, R., Clark, G. &
O’Leary, S. (2009). Polypyrrolecoated electrodes for the delivery
of charge and neurotrophins to
cochlear neurons. Biomaterials,
30(13), 2614–2624.
10.Richardson, R. T., Wise, A. K.,
Andrew, J. K., & O’Leary, S. J.
(2008). Novel drug delivery
systems to treat inner ear diseases.
Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery,
5(10), 1059-1076.
11.Shepherd, R. K., Coco, A., & Epp,
S. B. (2008). Neurotrophins
and electrical stimulation for
protection and repair of spiral
ganglion neurons following
sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing
Research, 242(1-2), 100–109.
12.Tan, J., Widjaja, S., Xu, J., &
Shepherd, R. K. (2008). Cochlear
implants stimulate activitydependent CREB pathway in the
deaf auditory cortex: Implications
for molecular plasticity induced by
neural prosthetic devices. Cerebral
Cortex, 18(8), 1799–1813.
13.Xu, J., Briggs, R., Tykocinski, M.,
Newbold, C., Risi, F., & Cowan,
R. (2009). Seeing electrode
movement in the cochlea: Microfocus fluoroscopy – a great
tool for electrode development.
Cochlear Implants International,
10(S1), 115–119.
Journal Articles in press
14.Barutchu, A., Danaher, J., Crewther,
S. G., Innes-Brown, H., Shivdasani,
M. N., & Paolini, A. G. (in press).
Audiovisual integration in noise
by children and adults. Journal
of Experimental Child Psychology.
15.Bavin, E. L., Grayden, D. B., Scott,
K., & Stefanakis, K. (in press).
Testing auditory processing
skills and their associations
with language in 4–5 year-olds.
Language and Speech.
16.Byrnes, S., Burkitt, A. N., Grayden,
D. B., & Meffin, H. (in press).
Spiking neuron model for temporal
sequence recognition. Neural
Computation.
17.Chang, A., Eastwood, H., Sly,
D., James, D., Richardson, R., &
O’Leary, S. (in press). Factors
influencing the efficacy of
round window dexamethasone
protection of residual hearing
post-cochlear implant surgery.
Hearing Research.
18. E
astwood, H., Pinder, D., James, D.,
Chang, A., Galloway, S., Richardson,
R., et al. (in press). Permanent and
transient effects of locally delivered
n-acetyl cysteine in a guinea pig
model of cochlear implantation.
Hearing Research.
19.Evans, A. J., Thompson, B. C.,
Wallace, G. G., Millard, R., O’Leary,
S. J., Clark, G. M., Shepherd, R.K.
& Richardson, R. T. (in press).
Promoting neurite outgrowth from
spiral ganglion neuron explants
using polypyrrole/BDNF-coated
electrodes. Journal of Biomedical
Materials Research A.
20.Fallon, J. (in press). Effects of
neonatal partial deafness and
chronic intracochlear electrical
stimulation on auditory and
electrical response characteristics
in primary auditory cortex.
Hearing Research.
21.Gilson, M., Burkitt, A. N.,
Grayden, D. B., Thomas, D. A.
& van Hemmen, J. L. (in press).
Emergence of network structure
due to spike-timing-dependent
plasticity in recurrent neuronal
networks I: Input selectivity –
strengthening correlated input
pathways, Biological Cybernetics.
22.Gilson, M., Burkitt, A. N.,
Grayden, D. B., Thomas, D. A.
& van Hemmen, J. L. (in press).
Emergence of network structure
due to spike-timing-dependent
plasticity in recurrent neuronal
networks II: Input selectivity
symmetry breaking, Biological
Cybernetics.
23.Kuhlmann, L., Burkitt, A. N., Cook,
M. J., Fuller, K., Grayden, D. B.,
Seiderer, L., Mareels, I. M. (in
press). Seizure detection using
seizure probability estimation:
Comparison of features used
to detect seizures, Annals of
Biomedical Engineering.
24.Marozeau, J. & Florentine, M.
(in press). Testing the binaural
equal-loudness-ratio hypothesis
with hearing-impaired listeners,
Journal of the Acoustical Society
of America.
25.Ryugo, D. K., Baker, C. A., Montey,
K. M., Chang, L., Coco, A., Fallon, J.,
et al. (in press). Synaptic plasticity
after chemically deafening and
electrical stimulation in cats.
Journal of Comparative Neurology.
26.Taft, D. A., Grayden, D. B., &
Burkitt, A. N. (in press). Speech
coding with traveling wave
delays: Desynchronizing cochlear
implant frequency bands with
cochlea-like group delays. Speech
Communication.
27.Taft, D. A., Grayden, D. B. & Burkitt,
A. N. (in press) Across-frequency
delays based on the cochlear
traveling wave: Enhanced speech
presentation for cochlear implants.
IEEE Transactions on Biomedical
Engineering.
28.Thompson, B. C., Richardson,
R. T., Moulton, S. E., Evans, A. J.,
O’Leary, S., Clark, G. M., et al. (in
press). Conducting polymers,
dual neurotrophins and pulsed
electrical stimulation -- Dramatic
effects on neurite outgrowth.
Journal of Controlled Release.
29.Zakis, J. A., Hau J., Blamey P. J.
(in press) Environmental noise
reduction configuration: Effects
on preferences, satisfaction,
and speech understanding.
International Journal of Audiology.
Invited Conference Presentations
1.Clark, G. (2008, November).
Medical bionics: From concept
to clinical application. Paper
presented at the Inaugural
Conference on Medical Bionics,
Lorne, Victoria, Australia. Keynote
Speaker
2.Fallon, J., Irvine, D., & Shepherd, R.
(2008, November). Sensory neural
prostheses and brain plasticity.
Paper presented at the Inaugural
Conference on Medical Bionics,
Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
3.Grayden, D. B. (2008, November).
Signal processing for improved
speech perception: Application of
auditory models. Paper presented
at the Inaugural Conference on
Medical Bionics, Lorne, Victoria,
Australia.
4.Nayagam, D. A. X. (2009,
February). In vivo chronic
biocompatibility of multi-walled
carbon nanotubes in guinea
pigs. Paper presented at the
Electromaterials Symposium,
University of Wollongong
Innovation Campus, Fairy
Meadow, Australia.
5.Pettingill, L., Geaney, M., &
Shepherd, R. (2008, November).
Cell-based delivery of
neurotrophins for auditory nerve
rescue. Paper presented at the
Inaugural Conference on Medical
Bionics, Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
6.Richardson, R., Wise, A.,
Thompson, B., Flynn, B., Fallon, J.,
Wallace, G., Shepherd, R., Clark, G.
& O’Leary, S. (2008, November).
Drug delivery via intelligent
polymers: Auditory nerve rescue
for bionic ears. Paper presented
at the Inaugural Conference on
Medical Bionics, Lorne, Victoria,
Australia.
Conference Presentations
1.Baratchu, A., Innes-Brown, H.,
Shivdasani, M., Crewther, S., &
Paolini, A. (2008, November).
Development of audiovisual
facilitation in children. Poster
presented at the Inaugural
Conference on Medical Bionics,
Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
2.Byrnes, S., Burkitt, A., Meffin, H.,
Trengove, C., & Grayden, D. (2008,
July). A mechanism for temporal
sequence learning and recognition
in neural systems. Poster
presented at the Seventeenth
Annual Computational
Neuroscience Meeting, Portland,
Oregon, United States.
3.Byrnes, S., Burkitt, A. N., Meffin,
H., Grayden, D. B. (2008).
A neural network model for
sequence learning, 3rd Australian
Workshop on Mathematical and
Computational Neuroscience,
NeuroEng 2008, Melbourne,
Australia, 20–22 Nov. 2008, p. 30.
4.Byrnes, S., Burkitt, A. N., Meffin,
H., Grayden, D. B. (2009,
January). Neural network model
for sequence learning, Poster
presented at 29th Annual Meeting
of the Australian Neuroscience
Society, Canberra, Australia.
BEI Annual Report 08–09 29
5.Eager, M. A., Grayden, D. B.,
Meffin, H., Burkitt, A. N. (2008).
Optimising realistic neural
networks with genetic algorithms:
Performance of a dynamicallywarped spike-time cost function,
3rd Australian Workshop on
Mathematical and Computational
Neuroscience, NeuroEng 2008,
Melbourne, Australia, 20–22 Nov.
2008, p. 34.
6.Fallon, J., Millard, R., Coco, A., &
Shepherd, R. (2008, November).
Use of commercial cochlear
implants for chronic stimulation
of laboratory animals. Poster
presented at the Inaugural
Conference on Medical Bionics,
Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
7.Flynn, B., Wise, A., Atkinson,
P., Jeelall, Y., O’Leary, S., &
Richardson, R. (2008, November).
Gene therapy for targeted
regeneration of auditory neurons
after hearing loss. Poster
presented at the Inaugural
Conference on Medical Bionics,
Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
8.Flynn, B., Wise, A., Atkinson,
P., Jeelall, Y., O’Leary, S., &
Richardson, R. (2008, December).
Gene transfer for directing growth
of regenerating neurons after
deafness. Paper presented at
the 3rd Frontier Technologies
in Nervous System Function &
Repair Workshop, Mt Lofty House,
Adelaide Hills, Australia.
9.Freestone, D. R., Grayden, D. B.,
Burkitt, A. N., Luhlmann, L., Cook,
M. J. (2008). Cortical excitability
from a probing stimulation,
3rd Australian Workshop on
Mathematical and Computational
Neuroscience, NeuroEng 2008,
Melbourne, Australia, 20–22 Nov.
2008, p. 36.
10.Fuller, K., Freestone, D., Vogrin,
S., Lai, A., Kuhlmann, L., Grayden
D., Burkitt, A. & Cook, M. (2009)
Spatiotemporal patterns of
high frequency oscillation from
intracranial EEG before and during
30 BEI Annual Report 08–09
seizure. Proceedings of Australian
and New Zealand Association
of Neurologists Annual Scientific
Meeting 2008 in Journal of Clinical
Neuroscience. 16(3), 472–473.
11.Gilson, M., Burkitt, A. N., Grayden,
D. B., Thomas, D. A., van Hemmen,
J. L. (2008). Spike-time correlation
plays a key-role in structuring
neural networks through
synaptic plasticity, 3rd Australian
Workshop on Mathematical and
Computational Neuroscience,
NeuroEng 2008, Melbourne,
Australia, 20-22 Nov. 2008, p. 39.
12.Gilson, M., Grayden, D. B., Thomas,
D. A., Burkitt, A. N. and van
Hemmen, J. L. (2008, October).
Specialisation in recurrent neural
networks with spike-timingdependent plasticity. Paper
presented at the Second French
Conference on Computational
Neuroscience, Marseille, France.
13.Gilson, M., Grayden, D. B.,
Thomas, D. A., van Hemmen, J.
L. and Burkitt, A. N. (2008, July).
Symmetry breaking induced by
Spike-Timing-Dependent plasticity
in the presence of recurrent
connections. Paper presented
at the Seventeenth Annual
Computational Neuroscience
Meeting, Portland, Oregon, USA.
14.Glynn, F., Tan, J., Wang, Y.,
Caruso, F., & Shepherd, R. (2008,
November). A novel therapeutic
approach encapsulating brainderived neurotrophic factor in
nanoporous particles for treating
sensorineural hearing loss. Poster
presented at the Inaugural
Conference on Medical Bionics,
Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
15.Hartley, D. E. H., Isaiah, A.,
Schnupp, J. W. H., Dahmen, J.
C., Fallon, J. B., Shepherd, R.
K., et al. (2008, September).
Potential benefits of half-wave
rectified stimuli to individuals with
bilateral cochlear implants. Poster
presented at the British Society
of Audiology Meeting, University
of Nottingham, UK.
16.Innes-Brown, H., Baratchu, A.,
Shivdasani, M., & Paolini, A. (2008,
November). Flash VEP following a
multisensory stimulus is reduced
in normal-hearing children.
Poster presented at the Inaugural
Conference on Medical Bionics,
Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
17.Isaiah, A., Vongpaisal, T., Shepherd,
R. K., King, A. J., & Hartley, D.
E. H. (2009, February). Sound
localization in ferrets with
unilateral and bilateral cochlear
implants. Paper presented at the
32nd Association for Research in
Otolaryngology (ARO) MidWinter
Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland,
United States.
18.Isaiah, A., Vongpaisal, T., Xu,
J., Shepherd, R. K., King, A.
J., & Hartley, D. E. H. (2008,
September). A behavioural model
of bilateral cochlear implantation.
Paper presented at the British
Society of Audiology Meeting,
University of Nottingham, United
Kingdom.
19.Killion, M., Villchur, E., Meskan,
M., Glasberg, B. and Marozeau, J.
(2009, March). Human loudness
scaling: Arithmetic or geometric?
Paper presented at the American
Auditory Society Meeting,
Scottsdale, Arizona, United States.
20.Kong, Y. Y., Tansman, P., Marozeau,
J., and Epstein, M. (2009, March).
Perceptual dimensions for musical
timbre in cochlear-implant users.
Poster presented at the American
Auditory Society Meeting,
Scottsdale, Arizona, United States.
21.Kuhlmann, L., Burkitt, A. N.,
Cook, M. J., Fuller, K., Grayden,
D. B., Mareels, I. M. Y. (2008).
EEG-synchrony-based seizure
prediction analysis for short
prediction horizons, 3rd Australian
Workshop on Mathematical and
Computational Neuroscience,
NeuroEng 2008, Melbourne,
Australia, 20–22 Nov. 2008, p. 41.
22.Kuhlmann, L., Cook, M. J., Fuller,
K., Grayden, D. B., Burkitt, A.
N., & Mareels, I. M. Y. (2008,
December). Correlation analysis
of seizure detection features.
Paper presented at the Fourth
International Conference on
Intelligent Sensors, Sensor
Networks and Information
Processing, Symposium on Sensor
Technologies and Information
Processing in Healthcare Sydney,
Australia.
23.Landry, T., Fallon, J.B., Wise,
A.K. & Shepherd, R.K. (2008,
November). Effects of exogenous
neurotrophins in the deaf
stimulated cochlea. Poster
presented at the Inaugural
Conference on Medical Bionics,
Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
24.Leuenberger, J., Williams, C., &
Millard, R. (2008, November).
Methods for testing and
stimulating karge electrode arrays
in vivo. Poster presented at the
Inaugural Conference on Medical
Bionics, Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
25.Magee, K. A., Nayagam, D. A. X.,
Razal J. M., Wallace G. G., Clark
G. M. & Williams C. E. A spinal
bypass rat model for testing the
biocompatibility and efficacy
of novel graft materials. Poster
presented at the Electromaterials
Symposium, University of
Wollongong Innovation Campus,
Fairy Meadow, Australia.
26.Marozeau, J., Florentine, M., &
Campbell, M. (2008, November).
Binaural loudness summation in
an experienced bimodally aided
listener: A case study. Poster
presented at the Inaugural
Conference on Medical Bionics,
Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
27.Mauger, S., Shivdasani, M.,
Rathbone, G., & Paolini, A. (2008,
November). Neural timing through
micro-stimulation of the cochlear
nucleus. Poster presented at the
Inaugural Conference on Medical
Bionics, Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
28.O’Brien, E., Meffin, H., Greferath,
U., Burkitt, A.N., Grayden, D.B.
(2008). Spatial resolution of
retinal prosthesis, 3rd Australian
Workshop on Mathematical and
Computational Neuroscience,
NeuroEng 2008, Melbourne,
Australia, 20–22 Nov. 2008, p. 48.
29.Opie, N., Burkitt, A. N., Farrell,
P., Grayden, D. B., Meffin, H.,
Pearce, G., Williams, C. (2008).
Thermal safety of a bionic eye,
3rd Australian Workshop on
Mathematical and Computational
Neuroscience, NeuroEng 2008,
Melbourne, Australia, 20–22 Nov.
2008, p. 49.
30.Paolini, A., Shivdasani, M., Mauger,
S., Argent, R., & Rathbone, G.
(2008, November). New strategies
for electrical stimulation of the
central auditory pathway. Paper
presented at the Inaugural
Conference on Medical Bionics,
Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
31.Perry, D., Fallon, J., Grayden, D.,
Millard, R., & Shepherd, R. (2008,
November). A fully implantable
two-channel cochlear stimulator
for rats. Poster presented at the
Inaugural Conference on Medical
Bionics, Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
32.Peterson, A.D.H., Meffin, H.,
Mareels, I.M.Y., Grayden, D.B.,
Cook, M.J., Burkitt, A.N. (2008).
A mean-field neural model with
conductance based synapses,
3rd Australian Workshop on
Mathematical and Computational
Neuroscience, NeuroEng 2008,
Melbourne, Australia, 20–22 Nov.
2008, p. 51.
33.Quigley, A., Razal, J., Thompson, B.,
Kita, M., Moulton, S., Officer, D., et
al. (2008, November). Directional
nerve growth on microstructure
conductive polymers. Poster
presented at the Inaugural
Conference on Medical Bionics,
Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
34.Shivdasani, M., Mauger, S., Argent,
R., Rathbone, G., & Paolini, A.
(2008, November). Inferior
colliculus responses to single
and dual site stimulation in the
ventral cochlear nucleus using a
penetrating auditory brainstem
implant. Poster presented at the
Inaugural Conference on Medical
Bionics, Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
35.Taft, D. A., Grayden, D. B., &
Burkitt, A. N. (2008, September).
Traveling wave based group delays
for cochlear implant speech
processing. Poster presented at
Interspeech, Brisbane, Australia.
36.Williams, C. (2008, November).
Translational research – from the
bench to the clinic: Experience
with neonatal brain rescue.
Paper presented at the Inaugural
Conference on Medical Bionics,
Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
37.Wise, A. K., Fallon, J. B., O’Leary,
S. J., Sly, D. J., & Shepherd, R. K.
(2009, January). The effects of
deafness and chronic electrical
stimulation on the spatial and
temporal characteristics of
auditory neurons. Paper presented
at the 6th Australasian Auditory
Neuroscience Workshop,
Australian National University,
Canberra, Australia.
38.Wise, A. K., Fallon, J. B., O’Leary,
S. J., Sly, D. J., & Shepherd, R.
K. (2009, January). Temporal
and spatial characteristics of
auditory neurons following
deafness and chronic electrical
stimulation. Poster presented at
the 6th Australasian Auditory
Neuroscience Workshop,
Australian National University,
Canberra, Australia.
39.Wise, A., Fallon, J., O’Leary, S.,
Sly, D. J., & Shepherd, R. (2008,
November). Spatial and temporal
characteristic of auditory neurons
in response to deafness and
chronic electrical stimulation.
Poster presented at the Inaugural
Conference on Medical Bionics,
Lorne, Victoria, Australia.
BEI Annual Report 08–09 31
EDUCATION
Bionic Ear Institute research staff are actively involved in the supervision of
PhD, Honours and Advanced Medical Science students. Students contribute
significantly to the research conducted at the Bionic Ear Institute. For more
information regarding student projects and student related matters please
visit http://www.bionicear.org/students/Prospective.html
PhD Students
A number of students are undertaking their PhD
studies at the Bionic Ear Institute in collaboration
with enrolling Universities. The students enrolled
in the 08/09 year include:
Andre Peterson – The Neurodynamics of
Eplilepsy. Dept of Electrical Engineering, The
University of Melbourne. Supervisors: Prof.
Anthony Burkitt; Dr David Grayden; Prof. Iven
Mareels; Prof. Mark Cook; Dr Hamish Meffin and Dr
Levin Kuhlmann. (Australian Postgraduate Award I)
Daniel Taft – Travelling wave delays for the
cochlear implant. Dept of Otolaryngology &
Dept of Electrical Engineering, The University of
Melbourne. Supervisors: Dr David B. Grayden and
Prof. Anthony Burkitt. (Elizabeth & Vernon Puzey
Postgraduate Research Scholarship – Faculty of
Engineering, The University of Melbourne)
David Perry – Plastic reorganisation of the
central auditory pathway with cochlear implant
use. Dept of Otolaryngology, The University
of Melbourne. Supervisors: Dr James Fallon,
Prof. Rob Shepherd, Prof. Hugh McDermott
(Melbourne Research Scholarship)
Dean Freestone – Epileptic seizure prediction
and the dynamics of the electrical fields of
the brain. Dept of Electrical Engineering, The
University of Melbourne. Supervisors: Dr David
Grayden, Prof. Anthony Burkitt, Prof. Mark Cook;
Dr Levin Kuhlmann and Prof. Iven Mareels.
(Australian Postgraduate Award I)
Jacqueline Andrew – Protecting the auditory
nerve with encapsulated neuroprotective
cells. Dept of Otolaryngology, The University
of Melbourne. Supervisors: Prof. Rob Shepherd;
Dr Bryony Coleman; and Prof. Richard Dowell.
(NH&MRC Dora Lush Biomedical Postgraduate
Research Scholarship)
32 BEI Annual Report 08–09
Matthieu Gilson – Learning in biological neural
networks: Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity
and emergence of functional pathways.
Dept of Electrical Engineering, The University of
Melbourne. Supervisors: Prof. Anthony Burkitt,
Dr David B Grayden, Dr Doreen A Thomas. (NICTA)
Michael Eager – Modelling Neural Networks in
the cochlear nucleus. Dept of Otolaryngology,
The University of Melbourne. Supervisors: Dr David
Grayden and Prof. Anthony Burkitt. (Melbourne
Research Scholarship)
Mohit Shivdasani – Multichannel
electrophysiology in the auditory brainstem
and midbrain – new insights for penetrating
auditory brainstem implants. LaTrobe University.
Assoc Prof. Tony Paolini and Mr Graeme Rathbone.
(Australian Postgraduate Award and a Harold
Mitchell Memorial Postgraduate Student Travelling
Fellowship). Completed
Stefan Mauger – Stimulation strategies for
auditory brainstem implants. LaTrobe University.
Assoc Prof. Tony Paolini and Mr Graeme Rathbone.
(Australian Postgraduate Award; Information
and Communication Technology Scholarship
(ICT); Commercialisation Training Scheme
Scholarship (CTS); and a Harold Mitchell Memorial
Postgraduate Student Travelling Fellowship)
Tom Landry – Functional effects of exogenous
neurotrophins in the deafened cochlea. Dept
of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne.
Supervisors: Prof. Rob Shepherd; Dr Andrew Wise
and Dr James Fallon. (The Bartholomew Reardon
PhD Scholarship – The Bionic Ear Institute)
Joel Villalobos – Bionic Eye: Electrode tissue
interface and chronic implantation
Dept of Electrical Engineering, The University of
Melbourne. Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Chris Williams
and Dr Hamish Meffin. (Endeavour International
Postgraduate Research Scholarship/ Melbourne
International Research Scholarship)
Rosemary Cicione – Bionic Eye: Neuronal
modeling for the human visual system. School
of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences,
Latrobe University. Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Chris
Williams and Mr Graeme Rathbone. (Latrobe
University Postgraduate Research Scholarship)
Sam John – Electrophysiological modelling
of the human visual system- applications
for artificial sight. School of Engineering and
Mathematical Sciences, Latrobe University.
Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Chris Williams and
Mr Graeme Rathbone. (Latrobe University
Postgraduate Research Scholarship)
Masters Students
James Leuenburger – Bionic Eye: Development
of a high resolution switch matrix and electrode
array. University of Applied Science Berne,
Switzerland. Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Chris
Williams and Dr Juergen Burger (Universitat Bern)
Undergraduate Research
Opportunities Program
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Program (UROP) is a scheme designed to give
undergraduate students an early opportunity to
experience real life in a research laboratory and
gain insight into careers in biomedical research.
Students undertake a project which is part of
the research program of a biomedical research
laboratory. They are supervised by a research
scientist in a mentoring role and work alongside
other research staff and students in the team.
The Bionic Ear Institute participates in this Bio21
Cluster managed program by providing placement
for students selected for UROP. This year we have
had 5 UROP participants.
Ronald Leung, a Biomedical Engineering student
at the University of Melbourne was supervised
by Dr David Nayagam completed his UROP
placement in June 2009. His project involved
working on the development of polymer scaffolds
that can guide functional repair of nerves after
spinal cord injury.
Yogesh Jeelall, a Biomedical Science student at
the University of Melbourne completed his UROP
placement under the supervision of Dr Rachael
Richardson and Ms Brianna Flynn in December
2008. Yogesh’s research placement involved cell
culture studies that contribute to the targeted
regeneration of auditory neurons project.
Daphne Do, Science/Engineering student at the
University of Melbourne completed her UROP
placement under the supervision of Dr Andrew
Wise. Daphne’s project involved the development
of an analysis system and model to describe the
response of auditory neurons to different rates
of electrical stimulation. Daphne also made a
valuable contribution to another research project
in which a miniaturised bionic ear has been
developed and implemented to study the effects
of electrical stimulation on the deaf cochlea.
Currently completing her Bachelor of Biomedical
Science degree at The University of Melbourne,
Beatrice Sgro began her UROP placement in
February 2009. Working under the supervision
of Dr Rachael Richardson and Ms Brianna Flynn,
Beatrice is currently undertaking confocal
microscopy analysis of auditory tissue in
contribution to the larger study of targeted
regeneration of auditory neurons using gene
therapy.
A final year Science/ Electrical Engineering
student at the University of Melbourne, Kyle
Slater commenced his UROP placement in
February 2009 under the supervision of Dr David
Grayden. Kyle’s project involves the development
of speech perception testing software which has
the potential to be used by audiologists for testing
cochlear implant patients.
BEI Annual Report 08–09 33
SUPPORTING
OUR RESEARCH
Human Resources Unit
Research Office
The Human Resources function adds value to
the Bionic Ear Institute through the development
and implementation of policies and processes
that reflect the direction and culture of the
Institute. Our primary aims are to attract and
retain high quality research and professional
staff, to encourage and provide staff professional
development and rewards which support and
promote continuous improvement and learning
and to ensure that the Institute complies with the
statutory obligations in the area of employment
and industrial law.
The Research Office assists in the process
of preparing grant applications, submitting
applications for new grants and managing
the ongoing administration of all grants
which includes routine scientific and financial
reporting. The Research Office is also responsible
for completing government surveys related
to research activities, managing licenses and
compliance matters related to research.
In 2008/2009 the HR Unit introduced an
Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This is a
confidential counselling service to assist staff deal
with any serious problems that may be affecting
their health, family life or job performance. Early
2009, the Institute was pleased to announce the
move of laboratory staff and students to their
refurbished laboratories and offices on the 7th
floor of the Daly Wing of St Vincent’s Hospital.
Information Resources Centre
The Calvert-Jones Information Resources
Centre, located on the 3rd floor in Mollison
House, provides research support to all BEI
staff and students. The centre has a book
and journal collection as well as access to
electronic databases.
Services provided include locating and delivering
information not available onsite, such as journal
articles, conference proceedings and books,
and compiling and storing research undertaken
by the BEI. The Centre also co-ordinates staff
research skills training, for example searching
electronic databases and software programs.
The BEI’s archival collection is stored and
managed at the IRC and consists of documents
and items such as early cochlear implants and
speech processors.
34 BEI Annual Report 08–09
Some of the main peer reviewed funding bodies
supporting our research include: National Institutes
of Health (USA), the National Health and Medical
Research Council, the Garnett Passe and Rodney
Williams Memorial Foundation and the Royal
National Institute for the Deaf (UK).
Intellectual Property & Commercialisation
The Bionic Ear Institute considers the research and
the associated intellectual property (IP) generated
by its researchers to be of great importance
and value. The Institute is committed to working
together with all staff to ensure that intellectual
property, such as patents and trademarks, is
identified, protected and managed so that staff
can be appropriately rewarded for their research
endeavours.
The Bionic Ear Institute is currently in
collaboration with other research organisations,
Universities and Industry in order to produce the
clinical and commercial outcomes to benefit those
in the community that would be aided by medical
bionic devices such as people with a hearing
impairment, epilepsy or spinal cord injury.
Education
Students comprise nearly a quarter of our
researchers; the majority are PhD students, but
we also welcome Honours, Masters and Advanced
Medical Science Students. Postgraduate students
contribute significantly to our scientific success
and the Institute actively seeks high calibre people
who demonstrate initiative and independent
thought. The main objectives are to i) provide
information to prospective students on application
procedures, research programs and support
services and ii) provide support to current
students undertaking research at the Bionic
Ear Institute.
Public Relations and Fundraising
The Public Relations and Fundraising team
plays an important role in promoting the work
of the Bionic Ear Institute to the community
and to raise funds for our research programs.
Our team is responsible for the communications
and fundraising programs including mail appeals,
newsletters, partnerships, events and the
volunteer ambassador program.
We value highly our relationships with our donors
and supporters as without their generosity our
research would not be possible. Throughout the
year we have had the pleasure of meeting many
of our supporters giving us the opportunity to
share our exciting vision for the future.
Our volunteer ambassadors are integral members
of our team, promoting the work of the Bionic
Ear Institute to the community, assisting with
media and raising funds. In 2008/2009 some of
the fundraising activities they hosted included
a dance concert, a barbeque, and cycling tour.
Our main event for the year was our Corporate
Golf Day at Kingston Heath Golf Club in October
which was generously supported by companies
and individuals. Our major partner, Woodards,
has enthusiastically supported us throughout the
year, highlighted by their major fundraiser, a very
successful Trivia and Auction Night.
Information Technology
The Bionic Ear Institute’s research activities have
an increasing demand for Information Technology
support. The IT team provides an important
service to Institute staff which includes: webpage
updating; providing support for about 100
software packages; improving communications;
ordering and installing computers and software;
securing data storage and database support.
Major projects over this past year have included:
•Upgrading firewall for maximum security
and improved network performance
•Installing new UPS (Uninterrupted Power
Supply) in the server racks for power
redundancy
•Upgrading/Migrating servers to Microsoft
Server 2008
•New Backup Solution utilising Symantec Backup
Exec and LTO4 Tape backup technology
•Establishing wireless access
Finance
The Board of the Bionic Ear Institute has
established a Finance and Risk Committee, which
consists of three non-executive Directors. The
primary role of this Committee, which meets
at least six time per annum, is to monitor and
review, on behalf of the Board, the effectiveness
of the control environment of the Institute in the
areas of operational and balance sheet risk, legal/
regulatory compliance and financial reporting.
The Board has also established an Investment
Committee, which consists of three non-executive
Directors. The responsibility of the Investment
Committee is to supervise, monitor and evaluate
the Institute’s investments and funds in an
effective manner. Members of the Investment
Committee are actively involved in all investment
decisions and the Committee formally meets at
least six times per annum.
The Finance department of the Bionic Ear
Institute is charged with the responsibility of
supporting the organisation with its financial
and regulatory responsibilities. The department
is also responsible for administrating the risk
management process and regular reporting to
the Finance and Risk Committee.
BEI Annual Report 08–09 35
BOARD
MEMBERS
Mr Gerald Edward Moriarty AM
BE (Hons), CPEng,
FIEAust, FTSE, FAICD
Chairman
Mr Jack Smorgon AO
Advanced Management
Diploma
Vice-Chairman
Mr Brian Jamieson
FCA
Director & Honorary Treasurer
Professor
James Alexander Angus
BSc, PhD, FAA
Director
Mr John Alexander Bryson
BMechEng, MBA (Melb),
Director
Ms Kathleen Dorothy Jordan
BA (Psych)
Director
Professor Iven Mareels
ir (Ghent), PhD (ANU), FTSE,
FIEEE, FIEAust, CPEng, MSIAM
Director
Professor Field Rickards
BSc, MEd (Manc), PhD
Director
Mr Li Cunxin
Director
The Hon. Steve Bracks
DipBusStudies (Ballarat)
GradDipEduc
Director
Ms Christina Hardy
BBus-Comm, LLB
Director
Ms Moya Mills Joined the Board in August 2009
36 BEI Annual Report 08–09
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
Professor Robert Shepherd
BSc, DipEd, PhD
Director
Professor Peter Blamey
BSc (Hons), PhD
Assistant Director
Mr Tim Griffiths
BBus, GradCertExport, GradDip
(MarLogMgt), MBT
General Manager and
Company Secretary
Mr Peter Gover
BCompt(Hons),
CA, CPA, ICAA
Chief Financial Officer
Ms Linda Peterson
BSc, GradCertBusAdm
Executive Officer
BEI Annual Report 08–09 37
STAFF
MEMBERS
Director
Professor Robert Shepherd
BSc, DipEd, PhD
Director Emeritus
Laureate Emeritus Professor
Graeme M Clark AC
FRS, FAA, FTSE, FAAS,
MB, BS, MS,
PhD (Sydney), FRCS
(Edinburgh), FRCS
(England), FRACS,
Hon MD (Hannover),
Hon MD (Sydney),
Hon DSc (Wollongong),
Hon DEng (CYC Taiwan),
Hon LLD (Monash),
Hon FAudSA, Hon FRCS
(England)
(until January 2009)
Associate Professor Robert Cowan*
BSc(Hons), MSc, MBA,
PhD, DipAud,
GrCertHlthEcon,
GrDipTechMgt,
FAudSA(CCP), FAAA, GAICD
Professor Richard Dowell*
BSc, DipAud,
FAud SA (CCP), PhD
Dr David Grayden*
BE(Hons), BSc, PhD
Professor Hugh McDermott*
BAppSc, PhD
Professor Stephen O’Leary*
MBBS, BMedSc,
PhD, FRACS
Associate Professor Anthony Paolini
BSc(Hons), MPsych
(ClinNeuro),
PhD, MAPS
(until Nov 2008)
Associate Professor Chris Williams
BSc, MSc(Hons), PhD
Research Fellows
Dr Sean Byrnes
BSc/BA, PhD
Dr James Fallon
BE(Hons), BSc, PhD
Dr Jeremy Marozeau
BS & MS, PhD
Dr David Nayagam
BSc/Eng(Hons), PhD
Associate Professor Jim Patrick
BSc, MSc
Dr Lisa Pettingill
BSc(Hons), PhD
Assistant Directors
Professor Anthony Burkitt
BSc(Hons), PhD
(until January 2009)
Professor David Ryugo
PhD
Dr Anita Quigley
BSc(Hons), PhD
(until Dec 2008)
Professor Peter Blamey
BSc(Hons), PhD, GAICD
(from January 2009)
Dr Tong Yit Chow
BE, PhD
General Manager and
Company Secretary
Mr Tim Griffiths
BBus, GradCertExport,
GradDip (MarLogMgt), MBT
Chief Executive Officer
Bionic Technologies Australia
Dr Russell Tait
BPharm, MPharm, PhD, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
Mr Peter Gover
BCompt(Hons), CA, CPA, ICAA
Associate Professor Peter Seligman
BE, PhD
Professor Gordon Wallace
DSc, FTSE
Dr Ben Wei
MB, BS, PhD
Mr Graeme Rathbone
MEng Sc, MIE Aust,
CP Eng (Biomed)
Associate Professor Robert Kapsa
BSc(Hons), PhD, DipFM
Professor Anthony Burkitt
BSc(Hons), PhD
Dr Lindsay Aitkin
PhD
Executive Officer
Ms Linda Peterson
BSc, GradCertBusAdm
Professorial Research Fellow
Professor Dexter Irvine
BA(Hons), PhD, FASSA
Honorary Special
Research Fellows
Professor Mark Cook
MBBS, FRACP, MD
Senior Program Adviser, Bionic
Technologies Australia
Professor Roy Robins-Browne*
MB, BCh, PhD, DTM&H,
FRCPath, FRCPA, FASM
Senior Research Fellows
38 BEI Annual Report 08–09
Dr Rachael Richardson
BSc(Hons), PhD
Dr Justin Tan
BSc(Hons), DipEd, MSc, PhD
Dr Chris Trengove
BSc(Hons), PhD
(until Nov 2008)
Dr Andrew Wise
BSc(Hons), PhD
Dr Jin Xu
MD, MMed, DipRad, MIR
Dr Mark Zanin
BSc(Hons), PhD
Visiting Research Fellows
Professor Simon Hawkins
PhD
Professor of Health Sciences
University of Canberra
(On sabbatical until Nov 2008))
Dr Fergal Glynn
MD, BCh, BAO, LRCP & SI
(Hons) AFRCSI
(until Dec 2008)
Professor Remy Pujol
PhD
Emeritus Professor University
of Montpellier
Research Engineers
Mr Mark Harrison
BE(Comm),
GrDipDigCompEng
Mr Rodney Millard*
DipElecEng
Mr Tim Nelson
BSc, BEng (Hons),
MIET,MEA,MEWBA
Mr Frank Nielsen*
Electronic &
CommunTechCert
Mr Mohit Shivdasani
MEng(BioMed),
BEng(BioMed)
Mr Andrew Vandali
BE(Comm)
Research Officer
Ms Anne Coco
BSc(Hons)
Research Assistants
Ms Rebecca Argent
BSc
Ms Ayla Barutchu
BBehavSc (Hons)
Ms Alison Evans
BSc (Hons)
Ms Brianna Flynn
BSc (Hons),
DipLabTech(BioTech)
Ms Amy Halliday
BSc(Hons)
(until December 2008)
Mr Hamish Innes-Brown
BCogSci(Hons)
Mr Alan Lai
MEngSc(BiomedEng)
Ms Kylie Magee
BSc (Hons)
Ms Courtney Suhr
BSc(Hons)
Ms Meera Ulaganathan
BSc (Hons)
Ronald Leung
Technical Assistant
Ms Lianne Salerno
Dip Animal Technology
(until Oct 2008)
Kyle Slater
Audiologists
Ms Alison Hennessy
BSc,MSc,DipAud
(on secondment until Nov 2008)*
Post Graduate Research Students
Mr Matthew Eager
BSc(Hons)
Ms Jacqueline Andrew
BSc(Hons)
Mr Matthieu Gilson
M Elec Eng, BEng
Mr Andre Peterson
BSc(Hons)
Mr Daniel Taft
BEng(Elec)Hons, BSc
Mr Dean Freestone
BBiomedE(Hons)
Mr Mohit Shivdasani
MEng(BioMed),
BEng(BioMed)
Mr Stefan Mauger
B.Eng (Hons)
Mr Tom Landry
BSc(Hons)
Mr David Perry
BE (Hons), BSc
Honours Students
Mr James Leuenberger
University of Applied Science
Berne, Switzerland
Undergraduate Research
Opportunities Program
Daphne Do
Yogesh Jeelall
(until Jan 2009)
James Laird
(until Jan 2009)
Beatrice Sgro
Information Technology Manager
Mr Stas Surowiecki
DipNetEng & MCP
Information Technology Officer
Mr Andrew Purnama
B App Sci (IT)
Human Resources Manager
Ms Susanne Clarke
BA(Psych)
Public Relations & Fundraising
Manager
Mrs Glenis Cook
Major Gifts Coordinator
Ms Helen Woods
BAAS EMBA
Public Relations & Fundraising
Assistants
Ms Nicole Saccaro
Ms Kathleen Parer
Personal Assistant to the Director
Ms Kristal Smith
BAppSci
Administrative Staff
Mr Anthony McGregor
BComm
Ms Rosie Marsicovetere
Adv Dip Accounting
Mr Howard Sharp
B Commerce
Trusts and Foundations Officer
Information Resources Officer
Ms Aimee Clague
B Information Management
Receptionists
Mrs Eleanor Leaupepe
Mrs Gabrielle Lemoyne
*Employed by the
University of Melbourne
BEI Annual Report 08–09 39
TREASURER’S
REPORT
For the year ended 30 June 2009
A summarised financial report for the Bionic
Ear Institute for the year ended 30 June 2009
is presented in this Annual Report on pages 41
and 42. As noted, this report is based on the
Institute’s unaudited management accounts.
The directors believe, unlike the statutory financial
report which is prepared strictly in accordance
with Australian Accounting Standards, this report
shows the Institute’s obligations relating to grants
and other funding received and matches the
performance of the research activities between
income and expenditure.
The Institute, like many other organisations, was
greatly affected by the global financial crisis,
particularly in the area of investment performance.
The capital value of the Institute’s investments
decreased by 11% in 2008/9 (decrease of 17%
in 2007/8). During the last financial year the
investment portfolios were restructured, resulting
in $1.87 million of realised investment losses and
a further $300,358 of investment write downs.
Dividend income decreased by approximately
9%. It is pleasing to report that since June 2009
there has been a significant recovery in the
Australian equity market and the value of our
current investment portfolios, as at the date
of this report, exceed that in June 2008.
While the level of research funding remained
fairly static over the difficult last year, total
income improved by 7%. This is largely as a
result of commercial earnings brought to account
from the Co-operative Research Centre for
Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Innovation.
Private philanthropic trusts and foundations
continue to be a significant source of funding
for the Institute. Specific acknowledgement of
the generosity of the organisations is highlighted
throughout the annual report.
40 BEI Annual Report 08–09
The Victorian State Government contributed just
over $1 million to the Institute in the last financial
year. A major portion of this research funding
is through a Science Technology Innovation
grant which resulted in the formation of Bionic
Technologies Australia, a collaborative venture
between the Institute, St Vincent’s Hospital
(Melbourne), CSIRO, and the University of
Wollongong. This funding came to a conclusion
in June 2009, and over its 4 year duration has
helped the Institute expand its research into
new areas of medical bionics. We are pleased to
report that the research started in this initiative
will continue on, both within the Institute and with
our collaborators. The Victorian State Government
also provides infrastructure funding through the
Operational Infrastructure Support Program. This
program is critical to the success of the Institute
as it helps maintain the necessary infrastructure
to support our research.
During the year, the Institute invested considerable
resources into developing a business case for
expanding operations and building the world’s
pre-eminent Medical Bionics Institute. The Institute
will be seeking important funding from both
Federal and State Governments, as well as private
philanthropic trusts to help realise our vision.
The Institute has had a challenging year in terms of
sustaining our operations, but I am confident that
we have a solid financial basis to grow in the future.
Brian Jamieson, FCA
Honorary Treasurer
SUMMARISED
FINANCIAL
REPORT
The following financial statements are based on unaudited management accounts which are used by
the Directors to monitor the activities of the Institute. Directors do not believe the audited financial
report prepared under the current Australian Accounting Standard AASB 1004 on contributions shows
the Institute’s obligations relating to grants and other funding received, and matches the performance of
the research activities between income and expenditure. This accounting standard on contributions requires
that the Institute recognise contributions when the entity obtains control of the contribution. The current
interpretation of this standard requires that grants be recognised as income when the Institute receives the
applicable funds. This is irrespective of when the funds are consumed, or whether the Institute has met its
obligations in accordance with applicable agreements.
Full audited financial statements are available from the Institutes registered office by request.
INCOME STATEMENT
For the year ended 30 June 2009
UNAUDITED INCOME STATEMENT PREPARED ON THE
BASIS USED FOR MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING PURPOSES
2009
2008
$
$
642,589
954,346
1,038,296
1,286,359
REVENUES FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Grants from the Australian Federal Government
Grants from the Victorian State Government
National Institutes of Health (USA) funding
685,966
654,779
Private Trusts & Foundations
1,849,054
1,265,253
Investment Income & Interest
1,143,463
1,273,437
Fundraising from general public
323,850
224,161
Commercialisation Income
347,083
-
Other revenue
495,866
406,002
6,526,167
6,064,337
(3,917,171)
(4,242,063)
Consultant fees
(206,026)
(356,492)
Conference events expenses
(153,390)
(61,609)
Property and facilities expenses
(268,262)
(122,813)
Depreciation and amortisation expense
(409,945)
(345,845)
Fundraising activities
(130,653)
(168,050)
Research consumables
(419,965)
(509,865)
Research contributions to collaborators
(425,145)
(265,000)
Intellectual property and legal expenses
(43,791)
(85,254)
(3,280)
(89)
Total Revenue for Research Activities
EXPENDITURE ON RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Employee benefits expense
Interest paid
Other expenses from continuing operations
Total Expenditure on Research Activities
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FROM RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
(Loss)/profit on disposal of shares
Impairment write down of available-for-sale financial assets
NET DEFICIT
(351,104)
(398,614)
(6,328,732)
(6,555,694)
197,435
(491,357)
(1,871,557)
151,367
(300,358)
-
(1,974,480)
(339,990)
BEI Annual Report 08–09 41
SUMMARISED
FINANCIAL
REPORT
BALANCE SHEET
As at 30 June 2009
2009
2008
$
$
1,731,806
2,486,065
867,069
1,837,308
30,732
78,168
2,629,607
4,401,541
12,668,437
13,762,727
3,233,161
2,763,218
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS
15,901,598
16,525,945
TOTAL ASSETS
18,531,205
20,927,486
1,370,348
2,186,189
590,295
674,704
1,960,643
2,860,893
Provisions
186,531
139,561
TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
186,531
139,561
BALANCE SHEET PREPARED ON THE BASIS USED FOR
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING PURPOSES
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables
Prepayments
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Other financial assets
Property, plant and equipment
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Payables
Provisions
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
TOTAL LIABILITIES
2,147,174
3,000,454
16,384,031
17,927,032
6,269,750
7,183,893
Accumulated funds
10,114,281
10,743,139
TOTAL INSTITUTE FUNDS
16,384,031
17,927,032
2009
$
2008
$
Net unrealised gain/(loss) on available-for-sale financial assets
131,121
(3,398,953)
Transfer to income statement of loss on impairment write
down of available-for-sale financial assets
300,358
-
NET ASSETS
INSTITUTE FUNDS
Reserves
STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME & EXPENSES
For the year ended 30 June 2009
NET INCOME RECOGNISED DIRECTLY TO EQUITY
431,479
(3,398,953)
Deficit for the year recognised in the income statement
(1,974,480)
(339,990)
TOTAL RECOGNISED INCOME & EXPENSES FOR THE PERIOD
(1,543,001)
(3,738,943)
42 BEI Annual Report 08–09
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Our medical research
would not be possible
without generous
contributions over the past
year. We acknowledge the
support from the following
estates, charitable trusts,
foundations, and donors.
Bequests
Hilton White Estate
$50,000 plus
The Garnett Passe & Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation
Jack & Robert Smorgon Families Foundation
John T Reid Charitable Trusts
Macquarie Group Foundation
Tattersall’s George Adams Foundation
Victorian Lions Foundation Inc
The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID UK)
$20,000 – $49,999
Mr Nicholas Bion & Mrs Deryn Thomas
The Clive and Vera Ramociotti
Foundations
Collier Charitable Fund
Helen McPherson Smith Trust
Perpetual Trustee Company Limited
The Marian & E H Flack Trust
$10,000 - $19,999
Miss Betty Amsden OAM
The Corio Foundation
Harold Mitchell Foundation
Bruce Parncutt & Robin Campbell
Robert C Bulley Charitable Fund
Annie Josephine Wellard Estate
managed by Equity Trustees Limited
Sydney Maxwell Wellard Estate
managed by Equity Trustees Limited
$5,000 – $9999
Mr Robert Albert AO RFD RD
The Calvert-Jones Foundation
Gerry Moriarty AM & Sue Moriarty
Mr Ballieu Myer
$1,000 – $4,999
Mrs Pamela DeSauty
Wes & Jane Dunn
Miss Helen Glascodine
Ms Joan Grant
Heymanson Family Foundation
Mrs June Hilliar
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE
Nell & Hermon Slade Trust
Peter & Sally Redlich
Reuben Pellerman Benevolent Foundation
Michael Robinson AO & Judith Robinson
Andrew Stevenson & Rosemary Ross
Professor Rob Shepherd
Victorian Foundation for the Promotion of Oral Education
of the Deaf
managed by ANZ Trustees Limited
Mrs Joan White PSM
The William Angliss Charitable Fund
Mr Ian Young
$250 – $999
Gordon & Irene Baddeley
Mr V J Bertram
Mrs Emily Blaby
The Blackley Foundation
Mrs Marion Brown
Mr & Mrs E & D Bourke
Ms Leone Carse
Ms Mary Casey
Ms Nellie Castan
Daryl & Hannah Cohen
Frank & Shirley Costa
Dr K S Crowley
Mr Frederick Davidson
Ian & Barbara Dicker
Mr Julian Fader
John & Pauline Gandel
Mr Peter Gover
Lesley & Ginny Green
Mrs Laurie Gwillim
Mrs Barbara Haynes
The late Sir John Holland AC
Mr Ivor Johnson
David & Bindy Koadlow
Mr Ronald McKinnon
Professor David Penington AC
Eugene & Patti Ross
Mrs Wilma Smith
Mrs Lotti Smorgon and the late
Victor Smorgon
Ms Amanda Willis
Ms Vicki Vidor
We are grateful to all the other
individuals and companies, particularly
our monthly givers, who donated
and supported us throughout the
year. We also wish to acknowledge
and thank the participating teams
and supporters of our Corporate Golf
Day in October.
Your contributions to our medical
bionics research programs make
a difference.
Major Partner
Woodards
Corporate Partners
Corporate Image Design Pty Ltd
Global Pacific Group
Macquarie Group Limited
PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia
Russell Kennedy Ltd
Community Partners
Dance Station, Lancefield
Donna Brown and family
Ambassadors & Volunteers
We would like to acknowledge
and thank our ambassadors and
volunteers, supported by their families
and friends, who generously give their
time throughout year to raise funds
and promote the Institute.
Without the enthusiasm and
generosity of our volunteers our
public relations and fundraising
activities would not be possible.
BEI Annual Report 08–09 43
SUPPORT THE BIONIC
EAR INSTITUTE
The Bionic Ear Institute’s research activities are in four major themes:
(i) work with cochlear implants to improve speech processing, musical
appreciation and drug delivery in the inner ear; (ii) developing a bionic
eye in collaboration with our research partners; (iii) targeted drug delivery
systems and (iv) brain implants for a range of illnesses such as epilepsy,
Parkinson’s Disease and spinal cord injury.
If you wish to make a donation to a specific research program, or
establish a postgraduate scholarship, we would be happy to honour
your request.
Donations
Memorial Gifts
Payment can be made by:
•Cheque – made payable to The Bionic
Ear Institute
•Credit card – mail, phone 03 9667 7500
or fax 03 9667 7518
•Online – via the free online donation service,
Our Community, www.ourcommunity.com.au
A memorial gift is a thoughtful way to honour
the memory of a loved one, and at the same
time help someone in the future. The Bionic
Ear Institute welcomes memorial gifts and can
provide personalised memorial giving forms for
distribution at a funeral or memorial service.
All donations over $2.00 are tax deductible.
Regular Giving
By making a regular monthly commitment to
The Bionic Institute you can help support long
term research. You can set up your tax deductible
gift from as little as $10 per month (33 cents a
day) using automatic credit card payments. The
donation can be changed or cancelled at any time.
Bequests
Leaving a bequest is a wonderful practical way
of helping to make a real difference to people’s
lives. All bequests, large and small, contribute
significantly to our important medial bionics
research programs and will help many children
and adults enjoy a better quality of life.
Please contact us to obtain a copy of our
Bequest brochure or to discuss, in confidence,
leaving a bequest in your Will.
44 BEI Annual Report 08–09
To obtain more information on donations,
memorial gifts and bequests please contact our
Public Relations and Fundraising Manager on
03 9667 7500 or email [email protected]
384–388 Albert Street
East Melbourne VIC
3002 Australia
T +61 3 9667 7500
F +61 3 9667 7518
E [email protected]
www.bionicear.org
ABN 56 006 580 883
ACN 006 580 883