Interdisciplinary Collaboration Award

Project sponsored by Manchester Knowledge Captial

Metabolic Breath Analysis
Dr Stephen Fowler (University Hospital South Manchester) and Dr Maria Basanta (University of Manchester)
Measurement of analytes from breath for diagnostic purposes is difficult due to innately high levels of background. Better capture and analysis would allow easy and routine early detection of respiratory infection. A team including clinicians, scientists, electronic engineers and industrial designers are designing a new system that will allow breath capture to be controlled and reproducible, with the captured samples of high quality and representative of the underlying disease condition.

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New Concept Initiative

Projects sponsored by Manchester Knowledge Captial

Continuous Electroencephalography Monitoring in Preterm Newborn Babies
Prof. Patrick Gaydecki (University of Manchester) and Dr Suresh Victor (St Mary's Hospital)
There are no reliable, continuous, non-invasive, bedside neurological monitoring techniques that are specifically designed for preterm babies. Standard monitoring techniques are not suitable due to the non-standard EEG patterns of the still developing neonates. Clinicians and signal analysis experts from the University are analysing EEG data with a view to developing new diagnostic tools for this patient group.

Development of a Biodegradable Tubular Construct and its Application to a Lacrimal Stent
Mr Ahmed Sadiq (Manchester Royal Eye Hospital) and Prof. Nicola Tirelli(University of Manchester)
Conventional stents for combating excessive tear production do not prevent re-closure of channels created into the nasal cavities to drain the tears. A team of material scientists are looking at novel materials and stent designs in partnership with an experienced clinician to improve the success rates for this common surgical procedure.

Optimisation of AAA repair
Mr Ferdinand Serracino-Inglott (Manchester Royal Infirmary) and Dr Xue-Feng Yuan (University of Manchester)
Patients with aneurysms that cannot be treated with conventional stent grafts require customised solutions. These are very expensive and take ~8 weeks to make, and deployment is technically demanding and high risk. MIMIT is developing bio-realistic physical models based on 3D patient data to test and optimise new stent graft designs.

Ultrasonic Visible Needle
Prof. Patrick Gaydecki (University of Manchester) and Dr Robert Yates (Royal Manchester Children's Hospital)
Routine insertion of lines into blood vessels requires better visualisation of the needle tip via ultrasound to help clinicians and to reduce patient risk. Existing solutions can visualise the tissues displaced by the needle as it is being inserted, but not the needle tip itself. A number of options have been investigated by engineers in the team and a low cost solution, compatible with existing ultrasound systems is being developed.

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