Ohmedics to market wound monitor

Bioengineers from

have created a spin-out company to commercialise a device that monitors patients’ wounds.

The technology, which will be sold through Ohmedics, has the potential to bring better wound management to patients.

The system allows doctors and nurses to check whether a wound is moist - the optimum condition for healing - without having to remove the dressing.

The technology uses a tiny, disposable sensor, which is attached to a gauze dressing. A handheld meter attached to the sensor displays whether the dressing is moist - and likely to heal well if left alone - or too wet or dry.

The developers believe that using such a system will reduce pain and skin trauma to the patient and limits opportunities for infection, as well as saving valuable staff time changing dressings unnecessarily.

Ohmedics is marketing the technology for use in hospitals, surgeries, community use and the home. It is claimed that it can be adopted for any kind of chronic or acute wound.

Prof Trish Connolly, chief executive, and her colleagues at Stratclyde set up Ohmedics following a clinical trial, which was supported by proof-of-concept funding from Scottish Enterprise. It is hoped that the first product will be available later this month.

Connolly, who is based at Strathclyde University’s Institute of Medical Devices, said: ‘With chronic leg ulcers alone affecting 10 out of every 1,000 adults in the western world at some time in their lives, the need for effective wound care is clear.

‘When we developed the wound monitor, we sought the views of clinicians from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to ensure the device met staff and patient needs. We're delighted to now be in a position to launch Ohmedics.

According to Connolly, if a doctor or nurse currently wants to check how a wound is healing, they have to remove the dressing - a process that can disturb the wound and be detrimental to the healing process, as well as leading to patient discomfort.

‘The new monitor means dressings aren't changed or disturbed unless they need to be, allowing wounds to heal as quickly as possible and enabling the patient to get on with life,’ she said. ‘The system also lessens pressure on valuable resources, both in terms of staff time and unnecessary dressings.’

Ohmedics' board includes chair John Thomson, formerly chief investment officer for Standard Life, biotechnology entrepreneur Simon Best and Alistair MacWilliam, formerly general manager of Shell Glasgow.

The company will have offices in the Strathclyde Incubator for its product launch and the wound monitor will be manufactured in Scotland.