Issue link: https://htpgraphics.uberflip.com/i/142204
LATEST UMIP SPIN-OUT NEWS MICROSENSOR LTD – INFECTION DETECTION therefore can be clearly seen and easily understood. Additionally, the sensor triggers in an 'all or nothing' fashion above a pre-determined threshold so there is no risk of ambiguity in the signal. The sensor itself is actually 'built into' the coating of the medical device, and requires no intervention by the user for it to begin monitoring the surface of a device. Formed in 2012, Microsensor Ltd is a company developing a new approach to the early detection of medical device infection and environmental monitoring. It is based on technology invented by Dr Curtis Dobson, founder of spin-out Ai2 Ltd and FLS Faculty IP Exploitation Coordinator, supported by a team of University academics. This proprietary technology is simple, inexpensive and robust, providing a clear 'yes/no' signal, indicating a clinically or industrially relevant level of infection on a surface, thereby enabling early intervention. A positive result for infection is recognised by the appearance of a distinctive colour change and Microsensor is well suited to numerous high volume markets where there is a need for real-time, in-situ microbial contamination monitoring, where end-users can clearly and easily understand when action must be taken. The ability to detect infection early, thereby triggering rapid replacement of an infected device/device component, prompting cleaning or disinfection would be a great advantage for many healthcare applications. amputation or death. The Microsensor technology represents a radical new approach to this problem, and has the potential to significantly reduce these risks across most areas of healthcare." The technology benefitted from UMIP Proof-of-Principle Funding (PoP) which was used to develop commercially scalable prototypes and fully characterise device performance for a medical device sector in collaboration with a leading international contact lens manufacturer. This area has continued to develop post-PoP and is still a focus of Microsensor's R&D. In addition, several tranches of grant funding has led to collaborations with commercial partners to investigate the potential of applications in other market sectors. Dr Sonia Nikolovski, UMIP IP Development and Partnering Manager, comments: "This platform technology has application in many areas where microbial contamination is a concern. UMIP is very proud to have been involved in the early stages of commercial development for this technology and is excited by the prospect of Microsensor products being on the market in a few years' time. The company is now looking to secure investment to accelerate their product development plan." Dr Dobson comments: "The development of infection on medical device surfaces frequently has serious consequences, in many cases leading to additional surgery, 2-DTECH LTD LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE behalf. 2-DTech are also happy to test and analyse customers' own research work as well as supplying fully characterised graphene and other 2D materials. University of Manchester spin-out, 2-DTech Ltd, supplier of fully-characterised, high-quality graphene and other 2D materials, has just launched its new website at www.2-dtech.com. Located at the centre of the hub where graphene was isolated in 2004 by Professor Sir Andre Geim and Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov, 2-DTech is committed to helping customers make use of graphene's extraordinary properties which have the potential to revolutionise many technologies. 2-DTech can work with customers' research teams on a partnership basis, exploring possible uses of graphene or can act in a consultancy capacity, undertaking research and development on customer's Please contact us to purchase graphene and/or discuss how graphene and other 2-D materials could help your organisation develop groundbreaking products. Dr Branson Belle, Chief Technology Officer, comments: "At 2-DTech, we provide graphene solutions to enable the graphene revolution to happen. Given that Manchester is the home of the industrial revolution, it is quite fitting that the graphene revolution began here." Graphene's applications are virtually limitless. Sectors to which graphene is particularly suited include electronics, aerospace, automotive, energy, telecoms and defence. 7