THIS MONTH
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The design and performance of incubators for premature babies is a developing science in terms of airflow patterns, local oxygen concentrations and heat transfer inside the chamber. The science took a step forward with work performed by Maciej Ginalski, Silesian University of Technology, Poland. One of the winners of the 2005 Computational Fluid Dynamics User of the Year awards, Ginalski utilised accurate baby geometric models and associated physiological boundary conditions to delineate current incubator performance and suggest design enhancements. Heat and mass transfer was studied in a double-walled infant incubator. www.fluent.com/events/cfd_user_awards
BioMedIreland has Phase II funding
The Irish Medical Device Association, Irish Bio-industry Association and BioBusinessNI have been approved funding by InterTradeIreland for a second two-year programme. Phase I achievements included the first all-island directory of companies, a number of all-island events and publication of topical papers. Phase II of BioMedIreland will focus on developing academic, business and clinical collaboration. For information, e-mail: mark.cooney@ibec.ie
Germany is cautious
The German medical technology trade association’s Annual Report 2005/06 includes the results of its membership survey. Of the one hundred and eleven companies that contributed, 43% are optimistic about growth in 2006, 35% anticipate no change, and 22% fear worsening conditions. The increasing pressure on prices by purchasing co-operatives and budget impositions are cited as the greatest restraints on their development by 73% and 72%, respectively. The report can be downloaded from BVMED’s website. www.bvmed.de
Funding supports stem-cell-based research
Despite lingering ethical, legal and social concerns about stem-cell-based research, increased research and development (R&D) funding from governments and public/private funding bodies is supporting the market, according to a report by Frost and Sullivan (F&S). Stem cells represent a promising solution to several unmet medical needs, particularly neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and cardiovascular conditions. However, even with significant scientific progress, stem-cell-based therapies remain in the preclinical stage with companies taking a cautious approach to realising the commercial potential of stem-cell discoveries. The major challenge is to successfully complete human studies for these products. Aggressive R&D efforts coupled with better funding will provide the necessary impetus. www.healthcare.frost.com
Technology boost for some
Companies in the health-technologies sector in south-east England are to be given a boost following the creation of the South East Health Technologies Alliance (SEHTA), a co-ordinating body that will be the primary route for all RDA funding, investments and interests to the sector. David Parry, SEHTA’s Chief Executive Officer said, “The region has the highest concentration of health technology companies in the UK with a quarter of the total company base, some 600 companies, and one third of all employment. Nine of the world’s 10 leading life sciences companies … are in the region, along with many world-renowned universities, medical schools and institutes undertaking pioneering health research.” Companies operating in the sector, principally the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostics industries, are eligible to join SEHTA free of charge. www.sehta.co.uk
Radiation forum
An Internet-based discussion forum for radiation processing has been set up that allows members and guests to raise questions and debate issues of common interest. A link to the forum can be found at www.irradiationpanel.org
Cardiac POCT
The laboratory-based segment currently dominates the European acute cardiac diagnostics market. However, point-of-care testing (POCT) will drive growth in the coming years, in part because technological advances are leading to greater reliability of the devices. POCT currently comprises less than 15% of the cardiac-marker market, says F&S. But the panel of cardiac tests provided by POCT has been successfully received by end users, indicating promising growth. As the market expands, larger companies are expected to develop compact bench-top devices, which will increase uptake of POCT in acute care diagnostics. www.healthcare.frost.com
Invest in Scandinavia
Invest in Denmark is inviting small- or medium-sized Scandinavian medtech companies to meet American investors
at an event in Boston, USA, on 14 June 2006. As well as leading to American investment, the organisation hopes the event will raise awareness of medtech clusters in Scandinavia. E-mail: jb@investindk.com
Route to Irish expertise
A portal for research activities in Ireland has been set up. The portal will allow users to identify expertise in Ireland and serve as the first point of contact between those who create new ideas and those who want to exploit them. www.expertiseireland.com
Electricity timeline
The IEC has launched an interactive “Techline” on its website that provides an overview of how the science of electricity and electronics developed and which scientists made major contributions to the developments. www.iec.ch/100years/techline
