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Stories

CoronaVent1 - New ventilator can save lives and create jobs

UWTSD’s Assistive Technologies Innovation Centre (ATiC) together with a team of Swansea University doctors and engineers have designed a new ventilator that can be built quickly from local parts and – crucially - used even for patients with severe coronavirus.

The new design, called CoronaVent-One, can be built easily from generic parts and plastic panels.

As well as saving lives, the new design can help create jobs and boost economic recovery because global demand for ventilators is likely to remain high as the pandemic continues. Read the full story here

 

Imogen's Bespoke Riding Helmet

ATiC have been working with Cerebra to help design bespoke helmets. We assisted Dr Ross Head and the team by providing 3D scanning technology to map the size and shape of Imogen's head to create unique protection for her. 

Imogen, aged 7, was born 11 weeks early with cerebral palsy and hydrocephaly, an excessive swelling of the brain that means her head is wider than usual. Much of Imogen’s time is spent in a wheelchair, so riding is a source of real joy for her, she has been riding since she was 2 years old – but finding a helmet that fitted had proven impossible. 

All that changed when Dr Ross Head and the team at Cerebra Innovation Centre got involved. They were able to use 3D digital scanning to design a bespoke riding hat to keep Imogen safe in the saddle.

Harry throws a ball

Harry Flynn has lived with his assistance dog Addi since he was 9 years old. Now he's 11, Addi has proved a real help in his life, opening doors, picking up items that Harry drops. But most importantly he's a real friend for Harry and also encourages him to go outside for walks.

All Harry wants to be able to do is play with Addi by throwing a ball but due to his disability, he isn't able to. So Dr Ross Head and the team from Cerebra Innovation Centre have stepped in help inclusively design a way for Harry to launch a ball for Addi. With some 3D printing help from ATiC.

Accelerating Innovation Symposium

Living with Dementia

A new film by Kimberley Littlemore at 'e-health digital' about living with dementia and examining it from a first person perspective.

The ATiC team assisted with mobile #eyetracking in an experiment with Kimberley’s parents who are both living with dementia.]

Can we better support adults to live independently?

"There's a whole world of technology and resource, human and digital that can come together that can help people living with dementia, and support the people looking after them and working with them. Better support and better care, that's the purpose!" Kimberley says.

If you're interested in helping us develop a series of films that will help people living with dementia, please get in touch:
kim@ehealthdigital.co.uk

“Multicare Plus” Evaluation Study

ATiC have been working with Recliners Ltd who develop seating solutions for the home and healthcare markets. The focus was on a current product line of adaptive chairs, the “MultiCare Plus”.

This adaptable product has an in-built ‘Tilt in Space’ movement which is operated by the carer, allowing the chair to be reclined in a range of positions which redistributes pressure and maintains physical angles at the hips, knees and ankles.

The ATiC team engaged in a technical study to evaluate the seat. This included digitisation and optimisation studies of the chair for reducing mass while maintaining mechanical integrity. The initial outcome from the study helped recliners understand where elements of the chair can be improved, and where further investigation is needed.

From the initial digitisation process Recliners have developed a 3D product configurator built into their website and the opportunity to incorporate Augmented reality as part of their customer service.