Business innovations to tackle brain injury and back pain

13 Dec 2017 03:00 PM

60 projects with the potential to improve people’s lives and grow UK economy share £15 million funding.

Faster treatment of brain injuries and relief for people with back problems are some of the game-changing innovations being backed in Innovate UK’s latest open funding competition.

A total of £15.4 million has been awarded to 60 different projects working on new products, processes or services from a range of technology, science, engineering and industrial areas. The decision to fund them is based on their potential to generate significant positive impact and grow the UK economy.

Quick, accurate decisions that improve chances of survival

One project, by Cortirio, is developing portable brain imaging technology to be used at the scene of accidents.

The company highlights that traumatic brain injury is the most common cause of death and disability among children and young adults. Its new technology will enable faster triage, diagnosis and treatment, thereby reducing disability burdens and saving lives.

Patrick Beldon, of Cortirio, yesterday said:

Neurosurgeons say that ‘time is brain’, and faster treatment means faster recovery and better quality of life.

For serious injuries, the chance of survival is 3 times higher if treated within 4 hours. Portable brain imaging will assist clinicians to make early, accurate decisions to give their patients the help they need.

Positive contribution to quality of life

Another project to get funding comes from Pacla Medical. This incorporates sensor and spine-mapping software in its automated physiotherapy device – Robo-Physio – and uses robotic fingers to treat back stiffness.

Chongsu Lee, founder of Pacla Medical, yesterday said:

In the UK, back problems affect one in 10 people, and large numbers of working days are lost to back pain.

We feel Robo-Physio can make very positive contributions to people’s quality of life by relieving back tension in their own homes. Our vision is to make Robo-Physio a must-have healthcare product for every household globally.

Industries of today and the future

Fionnuala Costello, Head of Open Programmes at Innovate UK, yesterday said:

In highlighting these examples of companies we’re supporting, it demonstrates the impact our funding can have in developing game-changing products, with the potential to change lives and significantly affect the way a market functions.

What struck me was the high quality of applications we received from all sectors of the UK economy. We are supporting companies that have the vision and bravery to use their own funds, combined with our grants, to explore disruptive innovations right across the industries of today and those of the future.

I am particularly pleased that these 60 projects have a total value of £38.4 million, of which £23 million is from the companies themselves.

I very much look forward to watching and supporting the progress of these innovative companies, as they launch new products, secure additional investment and acquire companies as they grow.

The open programme

As well as ranging in theme, the projects to get funding under open are at different stages of development, from conceptualisation through to prototype development and demonstration. The grant they get ranges from £25,000 to £1 million, for projects up to 36 months.

Further examples of projects to win funding include:

Apply for funding in the latest open competition.

Find out more about Innovate UK’s open programme

See a full list of the winning projects.