Member Article

Product design specialists step-up med tech collaboration

Sci-Tech Daresbury-based 4D Products and medical device consultants Medisyne are collaborating on the second stage of a project that seeks to take the pressure off NHS staff who are under pressure with a new urine monitoring technology for hospitalised patients. The device, INFLUx, helps medical staff by automating regular urine monitoring, which is currently a time-consuming process. Design company 4D Products, which has been located at Sci-Tech Daresbury for over a decade, provides support from early-stage research all the way through to manufacture and commercialisation.

Oxford-based Medisyne approached 4D Products to assist with the early-stage development of the device. Since then, a funding support package provided by the UK government’s Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) has enabled the technology to move to the next stage of development, prompting the new agreement to work together.

Prototyping was used throughout early stage of the development process, with 4D making use of 3D printers to produce simple test rigs to quickly prove or disprove ideas on the measurement mechanism and electronics configuration. Once in a position to proceed to a working prototype, 4D worked with trusted local and international suppliers to produce a range of parts using SLA, SLA Elastomer and machined and formed metals.

The Sci-Tech Daresbury-based company were also tasked with developing a solution for the electronics and produced a working prototype that demonstrated the new measurement system and achieved accurate urine level readings. James Bell, Managing Director at 4D Products said: “We believe that INFLUx can revolutionise healthcare by creating an efficient and automated method of measuring urine in patients. We’re looking forward to working with Medisyne in bringing this innovative new product to life and developing our relationship further as we work towards its progression into the market.” A spokesperson for Medisyne said “We enjoyed working with 4D on a previous successful project and see great potential for the new device that we are developing.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Robson .