Home > Lasers, robotics and customisable walking aids lead the way in new competition to develop products for independent living

Lasers, robotics and customisable walking aids lead the way in new competition to develop products for independent living

 

Laser-emitting shoes which help people overcome ‘freezing-of-gait’ and a Meccano-style walking aid kit are just two of the inventions being developed by companies in London and the south-east which could help people stay independent for longer as they get older or develop debilitating illnesses, according to Design Council and MedCity, the Mayor of London’s life sciences promotional organisation. 

The range of innovative medical technologies also included a glove that steadies the hand of people with Parkinson’s, and an easy to use plug and socket designed for people with limited grip, all showcased at the inaugural MedTechSouthEast pitching event at the Royal College of General Practitioners last night.

A judging panel led by Roger Highfield, science journalist, broadcaster and Director of External Affairs at the Science Museum, selected 10 winners who will now receive exclusive mentoring from some of Design Council’s leading experts to develop and commercialise their products.

John Mathers, Chief Executive of Design Council said: “Technology can be a vital tool in retaining our quality of life as we get older. MedTechSouthEast has highlighted some of the fantastic pool of innovation talent we have in Britain, this programme will now harness it and develop these fantastic ideas. We need to increase the convergence of tech and design to create usable, accessible, human-centred devices and systems that will help us all retain our quality of life as we age.”

Among the finalists was Cara O’Sullivan, who has developed a DIY kit that allows people build their own bespoke walking aid. The industrial design and technology graduate created the Evolvable Walking Aid Kit after finding that the lack of adaptability in walking aids meant people going through rehabilitation or with a worsening condition are likely to switch between three different devices to get the right support, with significant effects on cost and confidence.

With 6.9 million people in the UK having some difficulty with walking, Cara set out to design an adaptable set of components that could be easily and quickly assembled to meet each user’s exact needs and evolve as their condition changes.

She explained how living with her grandfather as he progressively lost mobility was one inspiration for the invention: “He started off using a stick, then transitioned to crutches and then a frame as he became less able to walk. Buying the different walking aids had a big financial impact, and I could also see that having to get used to a new device each time had a big impact on his confidence as well. For people getting older or going through rehabilitation, that tends to be the way it goes – you are either getting better or getting worse, and that means the type of walking aid you need changes.”

Another finalist was Lise Pape, who has developed ‘Path Finder' which aims to tackle ‘freezing of gait’ (FoG) – a common challenge for people with Parkinson’s, who describe it as the feeling that their feet are glued to the floor. The symptom is one of the main causes of falls in people with Parkinson’s, and significantly affects their confidence in attempting to walk.

Simple visual cues such as lines on the floor to step over have been shown to improve mobility and reduce FoG, thought to be because they help the brain to visualise and focus on the act of walking. Lisa’s solution is a pair of shoes with lasers at the front which project green lines ahead as the person walks, activated by a sensor in each heel that monitors the user’s walking pattern and pace. Early clinical trials have found users reported a decrease of up to 55% in time spent frozen compared to total walking time.

MedCity Executive Chair Dr Eliot Foster said: “What stands out is the variety, quality and creativity of medtech entrepreneurs who’re innovating to tackle the everyday challenges of life. It’s striking that in so many cases, the product has been developed in response to direct experience – whether that’s seeing loved ones struggle with a condition or through working with patients. These insights are incredibly important and highlight the need to involve users in medical innovation right from the start, because patients and their carer’s are the people who understand their needs best.”

The 10 winning MedTechSouthEast companies are:

  • Dermaspray – An automated, spray-on medication reducing inflammation and pain in people with arthritis, while avoiding the side-effects of oral tablets

  • Dolman Plug & Socket – a plug and socket system that can be pushed in or removed with little effort designed for people with poor grip

  • Esher’s Maternity & Menstrual Solutions – disposable leak-proof absorbent briefs to for women during periods or after childbirth

  • Evolvable Walking Aid Kit – a ‘build- it- yourself’ walking aid kit to overcome to lack of adaptability in walking frames, crutches or sticks as people’s needs change or children grow

  • GyroGear – gyroscope and sensor technology in a glove to combat hand tremor in people with conditions such as Parkinson’s

  • HeliconLiveLong – online tool to help interdisciplinary care teams manage the health of elderly people with multiple conditions more effectively and easily

  • Integro Smart Box – a system to manage the need to take multiple drugs that sends an alert to family or carers via text or email when medication is late or missed  

  • Path Finder – shoes that incorporate laser and sensor technology to emit lines ahead as users walk to tackle ‘freezing of gait’ in people with Parkinson’s

  • Speak Set – video calling via the TV to help elderly people easily keep in touch with caregivers and family

  • Strawz – fixed-dose medicine dispenser to ensure accurate doses 

The 10 winners will now take part in an intensive accelerator programme led by design experts and medtech industry leaders. The programme will give teams a practical, thorough understanding of how to use design to fast-track the commercialisation of their innovations. They will learn how to better plan, prototype and effectively communicate their products, maximising impact and managing risks.

The winners have also been granted an exclusive category in supporter’s AXA PPP healthcare’s own awards programme. Marketing Director James Freeston said: “We would like to congratulate the ten winning finalists and are pleased to announce they will be entered into the ‘Independent Living Award’ category as part of the Health Tech & You Awards 2016.”