MedaPhor Group is set to revolutionise ultrasound-guided procedures with its new augmented reality (AR) headset. Receiving a significant Innovate UK grant, the company aims to develop NeedleGuide, a cutting-edge device poised to enhance precision and reduce costs in medical procedures.
The substantial grant, awarded under the Digital Health Technology Catalyst competition, underscores the innovative potential of MedaPhor’s technology. With NeedleGuide, the company is on a path to significantly improve patient outcomes and operational efficiencies in hospitals.
Revolutionising Ultrasound-Guided Procedures
Ultrasound technology firm MedaPhor Group has embarked on a pioneering project to develop an advanced augmented reality (AR) imaging device. The initiative is funded by a substantial £464,000 Innovate UK grant, secured under the Digital Health Technology Catalyst competition.
The new device, dubbed NeedleGuide, is designed to overlay the ultrasound view onto the patient’s anatomy. This integration highlights the needle’s pathway and continuously tracks its tip, ensuring precise navigation and enhanced accuracy during procedures. The result is a significant reduction in user error and potential cost savings for hospitals.
Innovate UK Grant and Its Implications
The Innovate UK grant plays a critical role in the development of NeedleGuide by covering a majority of the project costs. Nicholas Sleep, MedaPhor’s chief technology officer, expressed the company’s delight in receiving this funding. He highlighted that the grant serves as strong external validation of the technology and its market need.
“We are delighted to have been awarded the Innovate UK grant, which will not only cover the majority of our development costs, but also provides strong external validation of our technology and market need,” said Sleep.
Technological Integration and Development
NeedleGuide is still in its early development stages. It leverages existing MedaPhor technology, combined with expertise acquired through the recent acquisition of Intelligent Ultrasound Ltd.
The augmented reality headset is designed to project ultrasound images over the patient’s anatomy, clearly indicating the needle’s target path. It then automatically tracks the needle tip, ensuring continuous awareness of its position relative to key anatomical structures. This advanced tracking minimises potential errors.
“NeedleGuide has enormous potential to improve patient outcomes, reducing the time and cost of these difficult procedures,” said Sleep.
Potential Impact on Healthcare
The NeedleGuide project holds substantial promise for enhancing healthcare practices. The technology is poised to improve patient outcomes by making ultrasound-guided procedures faster and more efficient.
By reducing the time and cost associated with these intricate procedures, NeedleGuide offers significant economic benefits. Hospitals around the world could see a reduction in operational expenses while simultaneously elevating the standard of care.
Nicholas Sleep emphasised the global implications of this innovation, noting its potential as a world-leading digital health technology with considerable export potential.
Market and Export Potential
The development of NeedleGuide not only aims to benefit domestic healthcare systems but also has significant global market potential. MedaPhor envisions their AR headset as a pioneering technology in the international medical field.
The reduced costs and enhanced precision associated with NeedleGuide make it an attractive proposition for hospitals worldwide. This could lead to widespread adoption and significant export opportunities for MedaPhor.
The combination of cutting-edge technology and international market readiness positions NeedleGuide as a transformative product in the medical technology sector.
Expert Opinions and Industry Validation
Nicholas Sleep’s remarks underscore the confidence MedaPhor has in their new technology. By receiving the Innovate UK grant, the company’s innovative capabilities and the market need for NeedleGuide are strongly validated.
“We believe that this technology could reduce the cost of needling to all hospitals and have significant export potential as a new and world-leading digital health technology,” added Sleep.
The development of NeedleGuide by MedaPhor signifies a transformative advancement in ultrasound-guided medical procedures. Supported by Innovate UK’s substantial grant, this technology promises to enhance precision, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes.
As MedaPhor progresses with NeedleGuide, the global healthcare sector eagerly anticipates the widespread benefits and adoption of this groundbreaking AR headset. The project exemplifies the forward-thinking innovation needed to drive the next generation of medical technologies.