High-dependency kids wheelchair in spotlight at IET Awards

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A high-dependency paediatric wheelchair was a finalist at the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) Innovation Awards 2013.

The Chair 4 Life, an adaptable wheelchair for children with high dependency needs competed against other leading medical innovations in the Healthcare Technologies category at the awards in London.

One of the key features of the Chair 4 Life is a vertical lift which allows the children eye-to-eye interaction with their peers, which improves dignity and independence.

The chair was built by design specialists Renfrew Group International, who won a National Innovation Centre competition to develop the idea based on feedback from children with high-dependency needs.

One of the key things which makes the Chair 4 Life unique is that it can be easily updated and modified through a series of attachments and components, which reduces the need to renew the entire wheelchair as the child grows, reducing clinic time and costs.

The National Institute for Health Research Devices for Dignity Healthcare Technology Co-operative (NIHR D4D HTC) was a partner in the first phase of the Chair 4 Life project.

The aim of the project was to build a chair which would incorporate the most complex equipment needs such as ventilators and oxygen cylinders, but allow children to leave hospital and be able to get out and about safely, confidently and more independently.

NIHR D4D HTC collected thoughts and ideas about design and functionality from children with high dependency needs through a series of workshops which put the children’s requirements at the forefront of the chair design. These workshops were arranged with Frazer-Nash Consultancy and hosted by the disabled children’s’ charity Whizz-Kidz.

Nicola Heron, Programme Manager of NIHR D4D HTC, said: “I’m really proud that an innovation which NIHR D4D HTC played such a key part in creating has been recognised. Children who are confined to a chair need to be able to feel dignified and independent and the Chair 4 Life gives them this.”

The IET awards were held at The Brewery, London.

To find out more visit www.theiet.org/awards

D4D present at EPRSC Partnership Awards

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Devices for Dignity (D4D) has participated in a workshop in London for potential applicants of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) NIHR Healthcare Technology Co-operatives Partnership Awards.

The workshop was held for potential applicants to network and explore the work of the eight HTCs in more detail, and to ask questions about the application and assessment process.

Dr Wendy Tindale and Dr Nicola Heron attended the event in London on behalf of D4D to present on the remit of D4D. Click here for D4D’s presentation.

Visit here for more information about the awards.

NIHR showcases the clinical research that could bring hope to the nation’s dementia sufferers

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To mark the start of World Alzheimer’s Month, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is showcasing some of the cutting-edge clinical research that could bring new hope to dementia patients and their families.

Launched in 2006 by the Department of Health, the National Institute for Health Research invests in all aspects of clinical research across England, so that patients have the opportunity to take part in suitable studies, and evidence can be gathered to keep improving treatments for NHS patients.

Over the past two years, the National Institute for Health Research has put millions of pounds of extra investment into supporting clinical research into dementia, which affects 800,000 people in the UK – a figure that is expected to rise to one million people by 2021.

Now, as part of World Alzheimer’s Month, the National Institute for Health Research has launched www.FocusOnDementia.nihr.ac.uk Aimed at the general public, the online showcase highlights some of the pioneering work supported by the NIHR, which could lead to better treatments for dementia sufferers, and improvements in the quality of life for those with the condition.

For example, the showcase reveals how, with support from the NIHR, researchers in Cambridge are investigating new gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease, to help patients to gain better control over the slow, stiff movement that is a feature of the disease.

The showcase also features the work of researchers in London, who are using NIHR investment to investigate how tele-care and other home support can help dementia sufferers to stay independent and live in their own homes for longer.

Visitors to the showcase site can also read how the NIHR is also supporting research into a “magic bullet”, to help “repair” the brain, and prevent people with Parkinson’s disease developing dementia.

Speaking about the launch of the online showcase, Dr Jonathan Sheffield from the NIHR said:

“The number of dementia and neurodegenerative disease studies we have delivered in the NHS has increased by 40 per cent over the last two years, and this is a growing area of clinical research. So, with World Alzheimer’s Month about to start, we wanted to take this opportunity to give people an insight into the trailblazing work that is going on behind the scenes to tackle this major problem for our society.”

The National Institute for Health Research’s showcase, www.FocusOnDementia.nihr.ac.uk , includes case studies and interviews with leading researchers, patient views on living with dementia, and advice on finding out about current clinical trials.

For further press information, or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Leicia Feare, Leicia.feare@nihr.ac.uk, 0113 343 0321

Tracy Gregg, Tracy.gregg@nihr.ac.uk, 0113 343 6570

Notes to editors: About the NIHR

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.

Since its establishment in April 2006, the NIHR has transformed research in the NHS. It has:

  • Increased the volume of applied health research for the benefit of patients and the public
  • driven faster translation of basic science discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and the economy
  • developed and supported the people who conduct and contribute to applied health research.

The NIHR plays a key role in the Government’s strategy for economic growth, attracting investment by the life-sciences industries through its world-class infrastructure for health research.

Together, the NIHR people, programmes, centres of excellence and systems represent the most integrated health research system in the world.

For further information, visit the NIHR website www.nihr.ac.uk

Facts about dementia
Source: www.alzheimers.org.uk

  • Dementia describes different brain disorders that trigger a loss of brain function. These conditions are all usually progressive and eventually severe
  • Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting 62 per cent of those diagnosed
  • Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, confusion and problems with speech and understanding. Dementia is a terminal condition
  • There are 800,000 people with dementia in the UK with numbers set to rise to over 1 million by 2021. This will soar to 1.7 million by 2050
  • One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
  • Dementia costs the UK over £23 billion a year, and this figure will rise to £27 billion per annum by 2018
  • There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or any other type of dementia. Delaying the onset of dementia by five years would halve the number of deaths from the condition, saving 30,000 lives a year.

National meeting to address technological application in colorectal disease – 21 August 2013

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A new national centre for innovation in colorectal therapies is hosting its inaugural ‘annual event’ to stimulate novel and exciting ideas to advance patient care.

The event, entitled ‘Accelerating technology for patient benefit in colorectal disease‘, will be held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, in October – and brings together world leading speakers, scientists and engineers.

The National Institute for Health Research Colorectal Therapies Healthcare Technology Co-operative (NIHR Colorectal Therapies HTC) based at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of eight national HTCs funded by the NIHR. HTCs have been created to address a gap in the medical technologies innovation pathway. By bringing together partners from the NHS, academia, industry, funders, and patients and public, the HTCs will generate new ideas and interventions that target areas of unmet clinical need.

Following a successful regional launch in May, the NIHR Colorectal Therapies HTC is looking to expand its network and reach out to open-minded and innovative individuals and organisations to drive the development of new technologies for application in colorectal disease.

The HTC will focus on three key areas for development in Colorectal Therapies: nanotechnology, biosensing and engineering. The HTC will stimulate blue-sky thinking to generate new ideas to be taken through concept development and evaluation, to funding and commercial partnerships.

The HTC is currently working on projects with several SMEs in the Yorkshire region and wishes to expand its commercial links across the UK technology network.

The national event, which is free of charge, is open to broad-minded clinicians with a passion for advancing colorectal therapies, creative scientists and engineers wishing to apply or expand their expertise in this clinical area, industry partners involved in materials or device technologies, and patients with real-life experience of colorectal disease.

Plenary lectures will be delivered by high-profile speakers, including:

  • Sir Mark Welland, Head of the Nanoscience Centre, Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. Professor Welland has previously served as Chief Scientific Advisor in the UK Ministry of Defence and will be speaking about what technology has done to advance the medical sector and its future potential, with a specific focus on nanotechnology.
  • Dr Larry Nagahara, Director of the Office of Physical Sciences-Oncology and National Cancer Institute in the USA. He will be speaking about his experience of setting up centres in the US, similar to HTCs, for engaging physical scientists and clinicians to develop new technologies for the treatment of cancer.
  • Dr Richard Satava, Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the University of Washington Medical Centre and Senior Scientific Advisor to US Army Medical Research and Material Command (USAMRMC) is a pioneer in surgical robotics and telemedicine and will be speaking about future technological advancements in medicine, with a specific focus on surgical application.

Professor David Jayne, of the University of Leeds and Clinical Director of the NIHR Colorectal Therapies HTC said: “This meeting will bring together the best experts from engineering and science to apply their knowledge to areas of unmet clinical need identified by NHS clinicians and patients and the public. It will be a fascinating day leading to fruitful partnerships that will develop the next generation of innovative treatments for patients with colorectal disease.”

The NIHR Colorectal Therapies HTC inaugural event will take place at the Leeds Royal Armouries on 17 October 2013 (http://www.royalarmouries.org).
For details and to book your free place please visit: http://www.colorectaltherapieshtc.eventbrite.co.uk or follow the HTC on Twitter @ColorectalHTC to keep updated.

Innovative new collar to end MND patients’ neck distress

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A revolutionary new device to replace ‘hated’ neck support collars for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) patients has been developed.

Imagine being unable to support your own head, unable to speak properly or eat without assistance. That is the reality for patients with MND; enabling the continuation of the most basic aspects of living such as being able to maintain eye contact with other people can dramatically improve quality of life.

Moya Briggs, 67, who was diagnosed with the less aggressive form of MND four years ago, chose to take part in a unique patient-led project, called ‘Head-Up’ to create a more suitable collar for patients with MND.

Moya said: “I hate the current collar I have to wear, absolutely hate it. When I’m wearing it I feel like an Egyptian mummy, all choked around my neck. For it to give me enough support I’ve got to have it really tight and when it’s tight I feel like I’m choking in it. It makes me feel as if I’m only partly communicating with the world.

“I hate the look of my current collar too and I cover it with a scarf. The fact that this new collar is inconspicuous and comfortable will make all the difference.”

The award-winning ‘Head-Up’ project is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme. It is a collaboration between Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University. The team was brought together and provided with early funding by the NIHR Devices for Dignity Healthcare Technology Co-operative (D4D HTC).

The collar came from a complete rethinking of existing collars as it sits low on the patient’s neck and offers support along the contours of the neck muscles, making it much easier for patients to carry out everyday tasks such as eating and communicating. The new collar will be undergoing a comprehensive evaluation later this year.

The involvement of patients and the public in research has been strongly promoted by NIHR, and is at the heart of D4D’s culture. Moya and other MND patients have played an extensive part in the design workshops for the new collar.

She said: “The whole device is very inconspicuous and provides so much more support. The snood itself feels like a second skin. It was wonderful for me because the muscles at the back of my neck usually feel the strain but I could instantly feel the relief in my neck.”

“I think it’s going to be a great relief to a lot of people. Every time I go out I will be wearing it and I need it for when I’m on the computer or if I’ve got to sit at the table or do anything for a long period of time.”

D4D, which is hosted by Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, brought together an extensive multidisciplinary team including designers and engineers from Sheffield Hallam University’s Lab4Living, clinicians, clinical neurologists, MND nurse specialists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and medical engineering experts from the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Barnsley Hospital.

This group was supported by MND patients and carers through the Motor Neurone Disease Association. D4D is also leading the regulatory compliance, evaluation and commercialisation work to put the collar as quickly and effectively as possible into the hands of patients.

Moya said: “I think the role that initiatives such as the NIHR D4D HTC play is very important. They can add an extra dimension – bringing forward products which integrate modern materials and help make people feel more part of the community and less obviously disabled.”

The project was led by Dr Christopher McDermott, who is a Consultant Neurologist and a Co-Director at the Sheffield MND care centre and also supported by the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

Sheffield Hallam design hits health note at European conference

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Clinicians, patients, academics and designers from across Europe have convened at Sheffield Hallam University to highlight the crucial role design plays in healthcare innovation.

Design4Health 2013, a week-long series of events hosted by Sheffield Hallam’s Lab4Living created a forum to discuss and develop designs and ideas to improve patient care.


The week began with a high-pressure 24-hour design challenge, which pitted teams against each other to create a device or intervention which would assist in the transition of one of the case conditions, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Cystic Fibrosis (CF).

Within each of the four competing teams was someone living with or caring for someone with the case condition, working alongside two clinicians and a team of designers.

Ten countries were represented by the designers: South Korea, Portugal, Italy, France, Mexico, Poland, Argentina, Japan, Denmark and the UK.
The teams created prototypes with 3D printers and presented their concepts before a panel of judges from key healthcare organisations and charities, with two teams sharing an award for best concept.

Lab4Living is now working with the teams to take these concepts forward and seek funding for development.

The week also signalled the start of a major new exhibition featuring different health innovations including a suit made of mohair wool designed to react to individual body temperatures and an exhibit entitled ‘Head-Up’, which displayed a series of neck collars to assist patients with MND and neck muscle weakness.

The main conference was attended by more than 100 delegates from 19 different countries.

David Pao, Clinical Lecturer and HIV Physician, Centre for Behavioural Medicine, UCL School of Pharmacy, who attended the conference and exhibition, said: “‘When I initially walked into the exhibition, I thought I had entered an art gallery. But as I spent time and looked more closely, I began to see real attention to detail, quality and a considered depth to the issues the exhibits were focusing on.

“The conference was the most uplifting, friendly and welcoming I have ever been to. At the same time, the presentations demonstrated the tangible value of the collaboration between design and health, and the potential to learn from each other, working and moving forward together.”

The conference organiser, Lab4Living, is an interdisciplinary research initiative, based at Sheffield Hallam’s Art and Design Research Centre which develops environments, products and creative strategies for future living in which people of all ages and abilities ‘not merely survive’ but are enabled and empowered to live with dignity, independence and fulfilment.

Joe Langley, Senior Research Fellow at Sheffield Hallam’s Lab4Living, said: “This year’s conference was a great platform for different groups of people to see the diverse range of content, methods and disciplines which exist when creating healthcare innovations.

“The exhibition provided a real, tangible focal point for many of the debates in the conference, creating provocations, case studies and examples which enhanced and livened the discussion.”

The next Design4Health Conference is planned for 2015.

Medilink UK Awards recognise the best in UK healthcare

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The finest of the UK’s Life Sciences and Healthcare Technology sector have been honoured at the 2013 Medilink UK Healthcare Business Awards.

The Medilink UK Awards, this year held at the NHS Healthcare Innovation Expo, at the ExCel Centre, London, is an annual event that celebrates cutting edge technologies, outstanding business achievements and international successes across the UK’s Life Sciences sector.

Winners from five categories – Start-up, Innovation, Partnership with the NHS, Export Achievement and Outstanding Achievement – were honoured at the prestigious event.

Hosted by celebrated international broadcast journalist Edie Lush, guests recognised the achievements of the award winners and networked with some of the leading professionals from the Life Sciences sector, UK government, research institutes and overseas organisations.

Tony Davis, Medilink UK’s Chairman, said: “Set against the backdrop of innovation and wealth creation, driven by the Department of Health’s (DH) Innovation, Health and Wealth strategy, NHS Expo was a great opportunity to celebrate the excellence of the UK’s Life Sciences sector through the Medilink UK Awards.

“I would like to extend a massive congratulations to all of our winners. Their success is further proof that our sector is in excellent health and gives us great encouragement for the years ahead.”

The nominees for the awards were derived from the regional awards which were selected by Medilink’s network across the UK.

Winner of the Start-up Award, supported by NSF-DBA Medical Devices, was East Yorkshire-based Savantini Ltd, for its research, design and retailing of products to help men and women improve pelvic floor problems, bladder-weakness and other health related issues.

Edinburgh-based DySIS Medical Ltd won this year’s Innovation Award, supported by the HealthTech and Medicines KTN. DySIS Medical won the award for its development of ground-breaking technology for the evaluation of epithelial based cancers using dynamic spectral imaging.

The Export Achievement Award, supported by The Engine Room, was awarded to Llanelli-based Chromogenex Technologies Ltd. The company secured the award for its outstanding record in selling its range of laser and light-based products for the medical and cosmetic market to more than 50 countries worldwide.

The Partnership with the NHS Award, supported by Array Media, was awarded to Truro-based myClinicalOutcomes. The web-based clinical data collection and reporting platform, developed by clinicians, allows patients with orthopaedic conditions to monitor their progress remotely and long-term using clinically validated assessments.

Deltex Medical, based in Chichester, won this year’s coveted Medilink UK Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by Eversheds. Deltex Medical designs, manufactures and markets its CardioQ-ODM Oesophageal Doppler Monitor, a device that provides a solution to fluid management in surgery and intensive care.

Recommended by NICE in 2011 for use in over 800,000 NHS operations, it was cited within DH’s Innovation, Health and Wealth as one of the six high impact innovations to be adopted by the NHS in 2013/14.

This year the awards were supported by the NIHR Devices for Dignity Healthcare Technology Co-operative, the organisation that drives forward innovative new products, processes and services to help people with debilitating conditions preserve their dignity and independence.