Research Projects

  1. Glucagon and Ureteric Calculi - A clinical Study for the management of ureteric colic.
  2. Prostatic Acid Phosphatase - A comparison of enzymic and radio-immune assay and alterations with various Urological procedures.
  3. Haematuria Study:

    (a) An evaluation of ward testing of urines for haematuria on presentation to a Urology Outpatient Clinic
    (b) Double blind assessment of the accuracy and benefits of phase contrast microscopy of urine to diagnose glomerular and non-glomerular bleeding.

  4. Flexible Cystourethroscopy - Assessment and comparison of Flexible and Conventional Cystoscopy and development of a purpose built flexible cystourethroscope.
  5. Ureteroscopy - Development of an introducer for the Rigid and Flexible Ureteroscope.
  6. Ureterolithotripsy:

    (a) The design of a canine model to assess Ureteric Surgical procedures.
    (b) Ureterolithotripsy by Ultrasonic and Electrohydraulic Lithotripter Probes in the dog ureter.

  7. Spinal Cord Injury - Retrospective review of 406 spinal cord injuries with a 15 year follow-up.
  8. Percutaneous Renal Surgery:

    (a) Structural and functional effects of Nephrostomy.
    (b) Ultrasonic and Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy in the dog kidney - Structural and Functional effects.

  9. Urethral Catheters - A prospective double blind comparison of Neoplex and Latex catheters post Prostatectomy in 100 patients.
  10. Prostatic Acid Phosphatase - Retrospective study to assess the predictive value and accuracy of prostatic acid phosphatase in 131 patients.
  11. The structural and functional effects of Sapphire photocoagulation of Doppler selected radial nephrotomies in the dog kidney.
  12. An assessment of oral Rowatinex for the dissolution or expulsion of renal calculi in dogs.
  13. Ex-situ digital subtraction angiography in the dog kidney as a research tool.
  14. Percutaneous examination of the scrotal contents and development of a scrotoscope for this purpose.
  15. Percutaneous Gallstone Removal - Experimental development in cadavers and canine models of techniques and instruments.
  16. The development of a method of placing human calculi in the canine kidney for subsequent medical or surgical investigation.
  17. The development of an instrument to straighten natural ureteric curves to enable rigid ureteroscopy above the pelvic brim.
  18. The development of a "Tissue reamer" for endoscopic removal of the prostate.
  19. Assessment of the effects of shockwaves, electrohydraulic and ultrasonic lithotripter probes on biliary calculi.
  20. Assessment of the destructive effects of shockwaves, electrohydraulic and ultrasonic lithotripter probes on biliary calculi.
  21. The design and development of an instrument for the atraumatic insertion of nephrostomy tubes into the kidney at open surgery.
  22. Cost comparison between open surgery, PCNL and ESWL in 1000 cases.
  23. The assessment of the effect of shockwaves on ureteric peristalsis in the pig model.
  24. Radiological examination of the anatomy of the ureter and vesicoureteric junction in various degrees of the lithotomy position.
  25. The development of a computer file program for patients undergoing ESWL.
  26. Simultaneous video, radiological and electrical recording of the effects of ureteric obstruction, the passage of ureteric calculi and percutaneous nephrostomy in the dog.
  27. Evaluation of the appearances of common renal calculi on magnetic resonance imaging.
  28. The effects of one stage dilatation of the canine kidney for paediatric percutaneous surgery.
  29. The development of adult and paediatric Single Stage dilators for percutaneous nephrostomy.
  30. The healing process following intubated ureterotomy in the canine kidney.
  31. The effects of Minirin ( a synthetic vasopressin) in the management of enuresis caused by a neurogenic bladder.
  32. Retrospective review of the management of urinary calculi in patients with a neurogenic bladder.
  33. Development of a self retaining splint for uretero-ileal anastomoses for use at open and endoscopic surgery.
  34. Development of percutaneous techniques for the treatment of complicated renal calyceal diverticulae.
  35. Review of the management of calculi in horseshoe kidneys.
  36. Development of a permanent and absorbable spring stent for PUJ strictures.
  37. Clinical review of adult percutaneous pyeloplasty.
  38. Co-investigator MK-906 (medical treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy) trial.
  39. Holmium laser lithotripsy - Review of Ureteroscopic cases.
  40. Holmium laser: Effects on soft tissues in Urology (skin lesions).
  41. Holmium laser treatment of superficial bladder tumours as an outpatient.
  42. Balloon insufflation of the retroperitoneal space for retroperitoneal percutaneous endoscopic surgery in the pelvis and flank.
  43. Co-Investigator - Laser Ablation of Prostate.
  44. Evaluation and development of Suction - Aspiration device for use with the Lithoclast (Lithovac).
  45. History of the Urology Unit, Royal Melbourne Hospital.
  46. Prospective Comparison of Percutaneous and Laparoscopic Management of Calyceal Diverticulae.
  47. Assessment of TUR Vaporization Loops (Storz).
  48. Review of endourological management of complex urinary calculi in spinal cord injury patients.
  49. Development of Scrotal tissue expansion technique for insertion of prostheses in difficult situations.
  50. Design of Coat of Arms for Austin Hospital Urology Department
  51. Co-Investor (Prof. Roger Short et.al) - Circumcision and HIV prevention (HIV - Target cells)
  52. Co-Investor (Prof. Roger Short et.al) - Tpical Estrogen and HIV Prevention
  53. Evaluatiuon of the cause of bladder neck contracture following radical prostatectomy.
  54. Development of a posterior surgical approach to assist with nerve sparing in Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy
  55. Evaluation of the supports of the bladder neck and development of a suture technique to completely restore the original anatomy following robotic assisted laparoscopic radical Prostatectomy.
  56. Tesis for Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) "Urological Developments and Innovations". Passed by University of Melbourne March 2009.
Design and Development headerarrow link

Design and Development of Surgical Instruments

  1. FLEXIBLE CYSTOURETHROSCOPY The evaluation of a choledochoscope for flexible cystourethroscopy and subsequent involvement in the development of a purpose built instrument. The A.C.M.I. Company. USA.
  2. URETEROSCOPY
      (a) The design and development of a new introducer for the rigid and flexible ureteroscope. Wolf Co., FRG
      (b) The design and evaluation of a ureteroscopic guide that straightens ureteric kinks to allow easier passage of the rigid ureteroscope. The Wolf Co., FRG.
  3. NEPHROSTOMY The design of nephrostomy tubes for atraumatic insertion into the kidney at open operation. Cook, Australia.
  4. PERCUTANEOUS SURGERY
      (a) The evaluation of the percutaneous scrotoscope and development of an intruducing device. The Wolf Co., FRG.
      (b) The development and assessment of prototype instruments for percutaneous gallstone removal. The Wolf Co., FRG
      (c ) The development of a new needle for percutaneous renal puncture. Cook Company.
      (d) The design of a nephrostomy splint for percutaneous pyelolysis. Cook Company.
      (e) The design of a nephrostomy for use in the combined treatment of renal calculi by PCNL and ESWL. Cook Company.
      (f) The design of a coaxial dilator for the simple insertion of a safety guidewire during percutaneous track dilatation. Cook Company.
      (g) The design of a nephrostomy for one stage PCNL in adults and children. Cook Company.
      (h) The design of an end hole retrograde catheter for flushing ureteric calculi and inserting a universal guidewire during percutaneous renal and ureteric procedures. Cook Company.
      (i) The development of a "short" Amplatz sheath for antegrade percutaneous ureteroscopy of the abdominal ureter. Cook Company.
      (j) The design of a complete access set for paediatric percutaneous surgery.
      (k) Design of paediatric percutaneous pyeloplasty stent. Cook Company.
      (l) Development of COAST - Renal Dilator for Percutaneous access.
  5. The development and assessment of a "urethral spring" stent for urethral stricture.
  6. The design and development of an endoscopic retrograde "sickle" blade knife for percutaneous pyeloplasty. Storz Co., FRG
  7. The design and development of self retaining uretero-ileal splints for open or endoscopic surgery involving ileal conduits.
  8. The design and development of a non-refluxing double J stent.
  9. Design and development of a low cost prostatic stent.
  10. Scrotum - development of tissue expander technique for insertion of testis prosthesis in difficult situations.
  11. Redesign of "Webb Single Stage Dilator" for percutaneous renal surgery
  12. Development of a posterior approach in Robotic Surgery to create the "Veil of Aphrodite"
  13. Development of a single suture to anatomically recontruct the vesico-uretheral anastomosis during Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic prostatectomy.