Case Studies

Following significant investment in delivering a medical device replacement programme, Hywel Dda University Health Board sought to identify and assess the benefits of implementing new and replacement medical devices.

Autism health passports are a tool for autistic people to record their communication and sensory needs, which are then passed on to their healthcare provider.

Research to develop a quick, painless, and drug-free treatment option for patients living with chronic acne.

Ceryx Medical has integrated scientific advances on the link between electrical signalling in the heart - that governs the susceptibility to arrhythmia - and respiratory rhythm generation in the brainstem to develop a revolutionary medical device.

Mikoshi have developed a psychological intervention-based video game that incorporates acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) skills.

SenseIV is a multidisciplinary team developing wearable technology for healthcare to empower patients and staff in the use of peripheral intravenous therapy.

Hepatitis C is an infectious virus which particularly affects marginalised and vulnerable populations such as homeless people. It may have become more widespread during COVID-19. Untreated, hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Testing and early intervention of this disease can help to reduce the occurrence within the population and reduce transmission.

A partnership project setup between Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB), the University of South Wales, and Llusern Scientific, to rapidly diagnose a range of illnesses from Covid-19 to urinary tract infections using LAMP, a newly developed molecular technology.

In light of increasing numbers of alcohol-related hospital admissions, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) has developed a service to support patients and tackle harmful drinking behaviours, reducing admission rates and improving health outcomes. 

Throughout the pandemic, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB), like many Health Boards across the country, experienced difficulties in sourcing a range of hospital equipment and supplies, as the outbreak placed pressures on the supply industry following increased demand for products.

Presteigne-based Mangar Health is the UK market leader in the design, manufacture, and supply of unique inflatable moving, handling, and bathing equipment used by Local Authority Social Services, care homes, hospitals, and the emergency services.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting public health advice that emphasised regular and thorough hand washing or use of a hand sanitiser as crucial to slowing and preventing infection has raised the need for better and more effective hand sanitising products, particularly those with a long lasting action.

By joining together primary and secondary health care, and maximising the use of digital advancements, a series of eye care reform initiatives led by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (Cardiff and Vale UHB) are helping to reduce waiting times and improve outcomes for patients with urgent eye conditions.

An innovative digital pilot project launched by the pharmacy team at Wrexham Maelor hospital is helping to identify life threatening kidney conditions and save patient lives. 

With a focus on a value based approach, a new pathway for heart failure patients at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) has been developed, demonstrating how specialist nurses can improve patient wellbeing, enhance outcomes and reduce hospital admissions for heart failure, ultimately saving lives.

Urinary tract infections are one of the leading causes of sepsis within the UK, which in turn is one of the leading causes of death. With the rise in antibacterial resistance alternatives to common place antibiotics are needed. A Swansea-based team has explored one alternative, phage therapy, using bacteriophages, viruses which infect bacteria, to treat infections.

A partnership project setup between Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB) and Baxter Healthcare, a company providing innovative technology solutions for the healthcare industry, has developed a strategy for safer intravenous (IV) fluid administration.

The Orthopaedics Interactive Diagnosis project saw a collaboration between ATiC and Cardiff-based Foot and Ankle UK Ltd, Spire Cardiff Hospital, where Mr Anthony Perera is Consultant Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon.

Through a collaboration with Ventilo Medical, HTC, ASTUTE and WCPC, we explored innovative processes to design a ‘Trauma Tube’

Glanrhyd Hospital is a mental-health hospital in Pen-y-fai near Bridgend and is managed by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. The church stands in a prominent position within the hospital grounds and is still used for religious purposes. We propose to reimagine the building into a multi-use space for the local community, as well as staff and patients on site.

The need to sanitise surfaces has always been important within both clinical and non-clinical settings, whilst surface disinfection compliance might be low. Unfortunately, COVID 19 has increased the urgency of need in order to minimise transmission of the virus. Some studies have indicated that the SARS-CoV-2 virus survives on stainless steel surfaces for as long as 3-7 days. On high-touch areas such as doors, virus transmission becomes an increased risk.

The use of hand sanitisers have become an increasingly important part of people’s daily lives.

Leg ulcers (a long-lasting sore resulting from a break in the skin) represent a significant source of morbidity with many adverse physical, social and psychological consequences. With appropriate treatment, some ulcers heal successfully with a few weeks, however many persist for months and even years. Such lengthy treatment periods have led to the annual cost of wound treatment in the UK being estimated at £5.6 billion (Guest et.al. BMJ 2020).

A new research project is under way to explore the impact of prosthetic leg covers on the quality of life and wellbeing of amputees, and public attitudes towards them.

A new six-month study to evaluate the impact of workplace environments on health, wellbeing, and performance within a post-Covid-19 environment is under way at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD).

Accelerate is supporting a multi-disciplinary, and cross-speciality, undergraduate and postgraduate online virtual environment (Wales’ Virtual Hospital)

Agile Kinetic and Cardiff University Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Facility have combined to develop and validate a pose estimation medical device for remote measurement of patient joint angles

Accelerate is supporting the delivery of this project through Cardiff University’s academic and clinical expertise, alongside the provision of project management and support for a research associate. HexTransforma Healthcare are contributing their industrial expertise in digital healthcare innovation and will bring their experience in developing commercially viable solutions.

Skin Solved (originally called Essential Skin and Body Butter) is a new company based in Neath Port Talbot in South Wales. The company manufactures a range of body butters and rubbing oils for cosmetic and potentially medicinal benefits.

Bionema is a leading biopesticide technology developer. They create chemical-free pest management solutions for the horticulture, forestry, and turf and landscape sectors. The company has over 30 years’ experience in the research, development, and commercialisation of biopesticides.

Homeglow Products and Delta Wellbeing worked with HTC to help test a low-cost heated seat cover that keep vulnerable older adults warm at the touch of a button.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic triggered a global health crisis that prompted a cascade of challenges from early 2020 through to 2021, with its effects on the healthcare system still being faced to this day. 

Dentron Ltd has developed a patented biocidal medical device called the BioGun and demonstrated the BioGun’s ability to kill a wide range of micro-organisms. The BioGun could provide an alternative solution to antibacterial drugs; it is a non-invasive safe procedure.

Denton RPA are a Cardiff-based physiotherapy service provider who use digital tech solutions to help empower patients and clinicians to achieve better outcomes. Using re.flex’s 3D motion sensors, Denton RPA provides a unique remote rehabilitation experience for preventative, pre, and post-op patients.

ARGiP contacted Swansea University’s Healthcare Technology Centre (HTC) seeking support via the Accelerate Programme to consolidate the understanding of pepsin biology to aid in the development of a refined pepsin supplement for the company.

Univarsity are an award-winning digital startup that has created a platform that aims to break down the barrier’s students face when searching, joining, and interacting with sports at university, all with the aim of increasing sports participation and engagement, and improving the health and wellbeing of students.

Following a diagnosis of colorectal cancer, 63% of patients will undergo a colorectal resection with most patients having an anastomosis.

Xobaderm is an antiaging focused company which integrates the use of microneedles to deliver compounds to the skin which aims to not just cover up the external signs of aging skin, but aiming to instead slow cellular aging.

Three-Sixty Aquaculture specialise in culturing fish for consumers in both the international and local markets. They are part of a specialisation who use manual observations of fish morphology and behaviour as a predictor of fish health in a Recycling Aquaculture System (RAS).

Copner Biotech is a Welsh biotech start up who's state of the art design and manufacturing process enables 3D cell culture scaffolds to be produced based on concentric shape constructs, such as circles. This provides a consistent variability of pore size (heterogenous pore size and distribution) emanating from the centre to the periphery of scaffold.

Swansea University's Healthcare Technology Centre has announced a research collaboration with sensor and medical diagnostic company Zimmer and Peacock, which could bring jobs to Swansea. 

Kaleidoscope is the largest provider of support services to people who use drugs in Wales. They have been part of an informal working group, including members of the Swansea University School of Pharmacy, and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, looking at challenges around drug dispensing for therapy and rehabilitation, during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

ProColl has developed an innovative method of producing recombinant human procollagen (HPC), making it commercially and medically advantageous over the animal-derived collagen products currently available on the market.

MaskComms is a collaboration between industry, health, and academia that specialise in the design of mask-wearing equipment to aid communication professionals in the hospital environment. 

Glucose Republic is combining biology and software to help people eat and live better through the means of tracking and monitoring how blood glucose responds to different nutrition in real-time circumstances.

ATiC have been working with Recliners Ltd who develop seating solutions for the home and healthcare markets. The focus was on a current product line of adaptive chairs, the “MultiCare Plus”.

The ATiC team assisted with mobile eye-tracking in an experiment with Kimberley’s parents who are both living with dementia. Can we better support adults to live independently?

In the UK today there are around half a million children and young people with brain conditions that result in complex medical, educational and social support needs. Cerebra is a charity that helps these children and their families discover a better life together.

There is a need for buildings to transition towards a zero-carbon environment. Hospital buildings and operating theatres use a relatively large amount of energy and produce large quantities of waste. Hospitals produce more than 5 million tons of waste each year.

Swansea and Ireland-based company Hemp Heros manufactures full spectrum cannabidoil products - better known as CBD. The company works directly with organic hemp farmers across Europe to ensure they use the finest raw materials in their range of CBD products that include oils, rubs, and creams.

Swansea-based start up, Centre of African Entrepreneurship, specialise in creating provisions for people from African backgrounds. The company mission aims to tackle the plight of poverty and inequality within the BAME community in Swansea and across Wales.

Health & Her is a Welsh-based SME that has developed an online female health platform for women going through menopause.

There is ongoing research into specific health benefits of taking probiotics during pregnancy. Some studies claim that probiotics can be used to treat pregnant women who have bacterial vaginosis, while others suggest that taking probiotics in pregnancy may reduce the likelihood of the baby developing eczema.

Knauf Insulation are a global, multi-million-pound insulation wool business with 40 years of experience, who are located across Europe and the US. They are amongst the fastest growing and most respected names in insulation worldwide, having an interest in helping customers meet increasing demand for energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings.

Innoture holds worldwide patents in the manufacture of microneedle patches, the only company that has increased the mass production of flexible base patches worldwide.

PhytoQuest approached Swansea University's Healthcare Technology Centre with an interest in the discovery and commercialisation of naturally occurring plant sugars, known as iminosugars, as food supplements with numerous health benefits.