Empowering healthy lives through technology.

The Medical Device Research Institute are world leaders in the development of innovative medical devices and assistive technologies. We stand out for our uniquely collaborative approach – with experts from engineering, healthcare, design, and industry. Our strong focus on commercialisation and real-world impact, helps transform groundbreaking research into solutions that improve lives globally.

_{Professor Karen Reynolds, Director Medical Device Research Institute}

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

Our Researchers

Home-Based Rehabilitation After Knee Replacement

Alicia Mitchell, PhD Candidate, is breaking new ground in post-operative care with her research into home-based rehabilitation for knee replacement patients. With knee surgeries on the rise, and traditional rehabilitation methods often proving costly, inconsistent, or inaccessible, Alicia’s work is both timely and essential.

Her PhD explores whether a single wearable sensor is sufficient to accurately measure knee angle—a key indicator of patient recovery. Through a participant study, she is examining how sensor placement affects measurement outcomes, and how these compare to the gold standards in motion analysis: optical motion capture systems and research-grade sensors.

Alicia’s research is conducted in collaboration with MAXM Skate, an innovative team developing wearable sensor solutions for rehabilitation. Their goal is to create a reliable, accessible home-based rehab program that helps patients track their recovery without needing frequent clinic visits.

By validating MAXM’s system against research benchmarks, Alicia’s study will help determine whether the technology needs refinement—and ultimately, whether it can empower patients to take control of their recovery journey from the comfort of home.

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.