Medical Device Research Institute

The technologies that improve and extend our lives.

Technology is evolving at an expansive rate. Rising healthcare costs and the shift in focus to prevention and self-care, is driving new models and systems of healthcare delivery.

The MDRI is proud to be a leader in this transformation, developing new solutions and driving healthy futures.

At the forefront of our research is the people we help. We are creating new assistive technologies to make rehabilitation more engaging and build independence for people living with impairments. Working closely with industry, we are developing personalised models and new medical devices to improve surgery successes. We are using big data to better understand Australian health. To achieve this, we are bringing great minds together; engineers and clinicians, health researchers and web developers, designers and users, industry and government to collaborate on creative solutions to address global healthcare challenges.

Research capabilities:

Experimental biomechanics
Motion analysis
Computational biomechanics
Sensors
Signals and image analysis
Data and cybersecurity
Advanced prototyping
Artificial intelligence and machine learning
PPE testing

Research application areas:

Musculoskeletal
Sleep
Digital health
Clinical monitoring and diagnostics
Surgical instrumentation
Assistive technology for ageing, disability and rehabilitation
Personal/wearable technologies

PPE testing

Test Labs is a dedicated test facility located at Tonsley within the College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University. We provide research and testing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including surgical masks, respirators and medical gowns.

Find out more

Our research stories

Using technology to even the playing field

Researchers: Associate Professor Pammi Raghavendra, Associate Professor Belinda Lange and Dr David Hobbs

Unearth new technologies

Breath testing for a deadly cancer

Researchers: Professor David Watson and Dr Roger Yazbek

Breath in new knowledge

The avatar nurse improving Australia's heart health

Researcher: Professor Robyn Clark

Meet Cora

Putting SA on the map for musculosketal research

Researchers: Professor Greg Bain and Associate Professor John Costi

Uncover new surgeries

Replacing ECG equipment with a t-shirt

Researcher: PhD student Meseret Teferra

Discover e-textile technology

Research that puts you to sleep in a good way

Researchers: Professor Peter Catcheside and PhD student Laura Gell

Explore sleep science

Remembering our elderly in the digital age

Researcher: Dr Lua Perimal-Lewis

Investigate digital health and assistive technologies

Bouncing back from devastating failure

Researchers: Emeritus Professor John Willoughby, Associate Professor Kenneth Pope and Professor Tarun Bastiampillai

Diagnosing schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Medical Device Partnering Program

Flinders University is home to the Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP)—an award-winning industry and research engagement program that operates across South Australia and nationally. The MDPP is an ideas incubator supporting early stage innovation and technology development, from proof-of-concept and prototyping, to clinical evaluation and commercialisation planning. Our people are dedicated to connecting clever product ideas with world-class research, manufacturing and clinical expertise, to develop innovative solutions and improve lives. We foster collaborations between researchers, industry, end-users and government to develop health technologies with global market potential.

Explore the MDPP

Study medical devices and assistive technologies at Flinders

Be part of the exciting world of health technologies!

Explore one of the many paths to health technologies. This emerging field calls on the skills of doctors and surgeons, health practitioners, engineers, computer and IT specialists, nanotechnology scientists and many more! Health tech is focused on collaboration, great ideas, and making a difference to people’s lives. Whatever your passion, you’ll find exciting opportunities to make an impact at Flinders. With the support of our world-leading researchers and teachers, you can shape your future in health technologies.