Innovation in medical devices and health technologies is a crucial component in the future of healthcare, allowing improved diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for patients. Given that technological innovation carries risk for businesses, collaboration and support from academic expertise can be key to ensuring that innovative ideas translate into successful commercial healthcare applications.

At the University of Birmingham, researchers across a variety of disciplines are working collaboratively with industry to accelerate the translation of new discoveries into healthcare applications. Our research can help to enhance and open up new markets for medical technologies and life sciences businesses, enabling them to bring products to market quickly, at less cost and with reduced risk.

This Breakfast Briefing will explore the exciting collaborative healthcare technologies research being undertaken at the University and showcase the ways in which we can support and collaborate with medical technologies and life sciences businesses of all sizes.

Speakers

Professor Robert Stone

Professor Stone will present an overview of the projects undertaken by the University's Human Interface Technologies Team, addressing the exploitation of virtual scenes of nature for post-operative patient well-being, recovery and rehabilitation, and the development of a unique "Mixed Reality" training system for future Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) paramedics, sponsored by the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine.

Dr Naomi Green and Adam Sheward

Dr Naomi Green (University of Birmingham) and Adam Sheward (Kimal Plc) will discuss their collaboration to use Computational Fluid Dynamics to design novel tips for central venous catheters. Using computer simulation the team have identified the pros and cons of Kimal’s existing range. They are now developing a new catheter tip using CFD to optimise the design. Adam and Naomi will outline the project and the benefits of university/business collaboration from the perspective of both parties in the partnership.

MD-TEC

Representatives from the Medical Devices Testing and Evaluation Centre (MD-TEC) will discuss the ways in which they can support eligible SMEs in the accelerated translation of novel medical innovations by combining unrivalled facilities with academic and industry know-how. Areas of possible MD-TEC support range from Intellectual Property guidance to Clinical Trials consultancy and protocol design and development.

Smart Factory Hub

Representatives from the Smart Factory Hub programme will discuss the ways in which they can help eligible SMEs working within the Medical Technologies and Medical Devices spaces to take advantage of new industrial digital technologies. Areas of possible support within the Smart Factory Hub programme include robotics and automation, additive and subtractive manufacturing, surface engineering and laser processing.

Format

07:30 - 08:00 Registration, Breakfast and Networking

08:00 - 08:45 Main Presentations

08:45 - 09:00 Pitches

09:00 - 10:00 Networking and Refreshments

Companies and academics are welcome to deliver short, 4 minute elevator pitches at the briefing. If you are interested in pitching please get in touch: businessteam@contacts.bham.ac.uk

About

The University of Birmingham Business Club is a network that gives businesses and academics the opportunity to meet and develop mutually beneficial collaborations. The Club's Breakfast Briefings are themed around business-relevant presentations and networking time. The event is free of charge with refreshments provided and the University's business engagement team on hand to answer any questions.