Wideblue, a multi-award winning product design, development and manufacturing consultancy, showcased the latest in medical device innovations at Med-Tech Innovation Expo 2022.
Rob Lacey
Rob Lacey Photographer Editorial, PR & Corporate Photography Headshots, Conferences & Corporate Events Based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire covering the Midlands, South West & London www.roblaceyphotographer.co.uk T: 01242 861118 M: 07802 542598
Wideblue has been working at the cutting edge of medical device design and development since 2006. The company has seen a large increase in its turnover over the last 12 months, with its headcount increasing to 24. Wideblue's parent company, Pivot International, also acquired A2E to form Scotland's largest independent product design group.
Wideblue managing director, Barry Warden, said: "We have been working on various cutting edge medical device projects which we were delighted to showcase at Med-Tech Innovation Expo 2022. Most of the projects we work on are one of a kind often using ground-breaking technologies. We are pleased to be working in partnership with some of the world's leading medical device companies on designing and developing products which will make a real difference to patient health. Wideblue is proud to be carrying on Scotland's rich history of innovation and enterprise in the medical sector."
At the exhibition, Wideblue showcased several innovative products, including:
Calcivis - is a new Dental Luminescence Imaging Camera which is currently in production. The Calcivis imaging device is designed to provide a detailed image of the tooth after delivering an application of Calcivis photoprotein. The hand-held medical device is initiated via a "one touch" computer-controlled process and a specialised sensor integrated into the device immediately detects the resulting luminescence (light flash). In less than one second bespoke software presents a chair side demineralization "hot-spot" image map to clinicians, enabling more informed and efficient dialog with patients. After designing and manufacturing several advanced prototypes of the device for clinical trials, Wideblue has worked with Calcivis to develop a full commercial product which is currently in production in the UK.
Cranofacio Drill Drivers - This battery powered device is used within the surgical suite and is used for neurosurgical procedures involving drilling and driving titanium and bioresorbable screws. It is currently in production at Pivot International (Philippines).
Peek Retina - Peek were keen to produce a low-cost ophthalmoscope and make it available to a wide range of clinicians throughout the world. Peek asked Wideblue to improve a prototype mobile phone-based ophthalmoscope and get the product ready for sale. Wideblue initially carried out optical design of the product using Zemax software to optimise the product's optical performance. Early stage, hand-built models were made to validate the results. Wideblue carried out design for manufacture, injection mould tooling and supported start up manufacturing in the UK.
Softcell Medical - in partnership with Softcell Medical Wideblue has designed a new product which measures and displays a patients pH levels during surgery highlighting potential restriction of blood flow to vital organs. As of now the first 15 prototypes have been manufactured and the device is about to start clinical trials. The pH system is intended for the assessment of patients who have sustained injuries or have developed disease processes that make them susceptible to ischaemia or localised tissue death that in its severe form can result in the development of compartment syndrome or generalised tissue death.
Heated transfer device - Wideblue has developed a new device to aid emergency services in safe transfer of patients. There are salient unresolved issues with the current practice of transferring patients from the scene of an accident through their pre- and in-hospital journey. Another problem with standard manual handling devices such as spine boards and scoop stretchers used in an accident situation is that they are often cold and hard surfaces leading to additional risks of the patient losing body heat. Unfortunately, hypothermia is common in trauma victims and can reduce chances of survival.
Wideblue, in collaboration with SME Science to Business, and East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA), and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, have developed a heated transfer device product which is padded, light weight and foldable to fit into an ambulance, air ambulance or first-responder's vehicle. A clean single-use plastic cover is used for each patient which facilitates transfer using the device and prevents any cross infection between patients. Potential users include A&E hospitals, air and road ambulances, first response military staff, ski patrol and mountain rescue medical teams as well as emergency and disaster relief services.