MDVSNPLUS Conference: Celebrating our collaborations

On Wednesday 29th May 2019, Medical Devices and Vulnerable Skin NetworkPLUS (MDVSNPLUS) hosting a Celebrating our Collaborations event. The event, attended by 50 MDVSNPLUS Network collaborators and partners presenting their findings from the funded feasibility projects.

Professor Dan Bader also presented on the Network’s sustainable research portfolio beyond the lifespan of the grant,  to ensure its long term impact, and future plans and available funding to improve device design and match this critical healthcare challenge.

Presentations from the day included:

• Welcome to Medical Devices and Vulnerable Skin NetworkPLUS: Celebrating our Collaborations - Professor Dan Bader, Professor of Bioengineering and Tissue Health, University of Southampton and PI on MDVSNPLUS
• Overview of MDVSNPLUS Collaborations and Projects - Professor Dan Bader, Professor of Bioengineering and Tissue Health, University of Southampton and PI on MDVSNPLUS
• The Cause by Admission to Hospital Leading to Pressure Ulcers - Michael Branagan-Harris, CEO, Device Access UK Ltd
• NIHR Devices for Dignity MIC: Unmet Needs - Dr Avril McCarthy, Medical Device Innovation Group Lead and MedTech Theme Lead, NIHR Devices for Dignity MIC

FUNDED PROJECTS

• Cross Network Projects: NewMindPLUS: Mental Health Technology - Dr Luciana Bostan, Research Fellow, University of Southampton and MDVSNPLUS  Network Manager
• University of Nottingham: Optical fibre sensing at the interface between tissue and orthosis or prosthesis – Professor Steve Morgan
• Queen Mary University of London: Pressure injury sensing using ultra-wide band array antenna and machine learning’ – Dr Qiao Cheng

Professor Cees Oomens, Professor in Biomechanics of Soft Tissues at Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands opened the afternoon session with an International Perspective: Medical Device Related Pressure Ulcers.

FUNDED PROJECTS

• University of Edinburgh: Conformable and wireless-interrogated pressure sensors for medical compression garments – Dr Philip Hands
• University of Southampton: Battery free smart bandage – Dr John Tudor
• University College London: Developing bespoke flexible sensors for prosthetic and orthotic liners – Ben Oldfrey
• King’s College London: Imaging the mechanical properties of the vulnerable skin – Dr Peter Worsley

Matthew Weaver, Portfolio Manager, Healthcare Technologies, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council concluded the afternoon presentations with an overview on EPSRC Healthcare Technology Funding opportunities.

In the afternoon, delegates worked in groups with academics, clinicians and industrial partners to develop ideas and proposals for future research funding.

Presentations from the day are now available to download below.