14th December 2015
A device with potential to enable rapid and automated closure of wounds and surgical incisions, has won the Clinical Innovation Award 2015, sponsored by Enterprise Ireland in association with Cleveland Clinic.
The winner, Mr. Cyrus Doctor, Trauma and Orthopaedic Registrar and participant in the BioInnovate programme in the National University of Ireland Galway, will work with Cleveland Clinic and Enterprise Ireland to investigate the commercial potential of a device for rapid postoperative closure for patients in a user friendly way.
Extending his congratulations to Mr. Cyrus Doctor, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD said: “I warmly congratulate Mr. Doctor on this award for his innovative device. At the heart of our overall jobs strategy is rebuilding a sustainable economy based on enterprise, exports and innovation. A key part of this is improving our performance in innovation. Ireland's 5 year strategy for Research and Innovation, Science and Technology was launched recently by my Department. This strategy sets out a range of ambitious actions for this sector. This award recognises the pivotal role that clinicians can play in identifying unmet clinical needs that can result in new products for Ireland’s Life sciences companies, resulting in business growth and new jobs. Congratulations to all the finalists for their innovative and forward thinking solutions.”
Current rapid closure methods, such as metal surgical staples can result in postoperative pain, wound infection and patient dissatisfaction from poor cosmetic results. Therefore many surgeons still choose a manual approach of suturing that can take a considerable time at the end of surgery. Mr. Doctor’s simple, inexpensive automated “seamless stitches” solution will provide an enhanced postoperative experience and reduced pain for the patient.
Announcing the winner, Brian Kolonick, General Manager of Cleveland Clinic’s Global Healthcare Innovation Alliance, said: “Once again we are impressed and inspired by the innovative ideas that Enterprise Ireland has presented to us. Mr. Doctor’s novel technology has the potential to improve patient outcomes and cosmetic results from rapid surgical closure, at a cost that is appealing to both patients and providers. Cleveland Clinic Innovations is looking forward to providing Mr. Doctor access to the appropriate clinical experts to assist in validating device design and providing guidance in how to secure adoption by the clinical community.’
The Clinical Innovation Award, now in its 5th year, recognises commercial potential in Ireland’s clinical community and encourages clinicians to engage in the development of new healthcare products and services that will improve patient care, benefiting both the health care system and Ireland’s medical technologies companies.
Mr. Cyrus Doctor will receive a grant of €15,000 and the opportunity to work with Cleveland Clinic and Enterprise Ireland to further develop the commercial potential of this innovative technology, with potential for follow on support through Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Fund.
Dr. Brian O’Neill, Director of Life Sciences in Enterprise Ireland said: “As this device can be used in any surgery requiring closure, the market potential for Mr. Doctor’s device is extremely significant. This coupled with the simplicity of the device design, should also allow a rapid route to market, making it attractive for follow on investment. Enterprise Ireland is delighted to see the continued trend of clinicians engaging in the development of innovations that have the potential to be commercialised through Irish medical technology companies.”
The announcement was made at the Medical Technology Industry Excellence awards in Dublin. This event, sponsored by the Irish Medical Devices Association, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, celebrates excellence from both companies and academic institutions across the Medical Technology sector in Ireland.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
For further information, or photographs from the event please contact:
Marguerite Bourke, Enterprise Ireland, Press Office (01) 7272178 Marguerite.Bourke@enterprise-ireland.com
The award also recognised two runner-up awardees:
- Professor Ronan Cahill, Consultant General Surgeon at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and University College Dublin has designed a single device solution for access in General Surgery. Currently, overly specific access technology is a barrier to the evolving practise of multiport and single port access in minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery. A device enabling simplified access has the potential to address 3.2 million procedures performed annually in the USA and Europe, with the potential to reduce costs, clutter and injury that can arise in current procedures.
- Dr. Brendan Boland, General Practitioner affiliated with the National University of Ireland, Galway, has developed a minimally invasive solution to arthritis in the hand. This condition causes impaired hand function, significantly impacting daily activities. Current surgical interventions have limited adoption due to poor outcomes, resulting in only short term non-surgical options being offered in many cases. This device has the opportunity to open up this market, by providing long terms solutions to the problem. As it is a minimally invasive procedure, it can be performed in an ambulatory setting, thereby significantly reducing operating costs.
These clinicians will both receive Feasibility Funding from Enterprise Ireland to investigate the commercial potential of their ideas.
More details on the Enterprise Ireland - Cleveland Clinic Clinical Innovation Award 2015 The €15,000 award supports clinicians and healthcare professionals in Ireland in developing the commercial potential of their innovative ideas, leading to new healthcare products and services that will improve patient care, and benefit both the health care system and Ireland’s medical technologies sector. It is assessed and awarded in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic, which works with Enterprise Ireland to look at the commercial feasibility of the winning idea. This is the 5th Clinical Innovation Award; the inaugural award was in 2011.
See www.enterprise-ireland.com/clinical
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit multi-specialty academic medical centre that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey and their heart and heart surgery program has ranked No.1 since 1995. 3000+ full-time salaried physicians and researchers represent 120 medical specialties and subspecialties. There are 5.9 million patient visits per year throughout the Cleveland Clinic health system and more than 150,000 hospital admissions. Patients come for treatment from every state and from more than 100 countries. Visit us at www.clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at www.twitter.com/ClevelandClinic
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