Source: Imperial.ac.uk

Scientists from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBE) received the Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology Award at the 2009 Times Higher Education Awards ceremony. The IBE researchers were recognised for pioneering work that has led to new developments in medical diagnosis equipment, personalised healthcare devices, new regenerative medicine techniques and new medical imaging technologies.

The researchers are currently trialling a new digital plaster that is worn by patients to monitor their vital signs such as body temperature and respiration. Doctors can use their mobile phone to download information that is wirelessly transmitted from the digital plaster at any time, so that a patient can be monitored at home, instead of in hospital.

The team is also developing a range of other technologies, including silicon chip devices for patients with Type 1 diabetes that will mimic the role of beta cells inside the pancreas to regulate a patients’ insulin. Other devices in development include an implantable artificial retina made from silicon chip technology that will be used to improve the sight of the visually impaired.

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