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Structured collaboration delivers new products: the need to accelerate the identification and treatment of medical conditions presents new opportunities to demonstrate how sensors can improve practices in medical environments. The pitfalls and the support that is available for new product development in this area are examined with some examples of recent work.

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Breaking down barriers

Sensing technology is increasingly finding application in cutting-edge medical devices and changing the way doctors diagnose, treat and monitor patients' health. The Sensors and Instrumentation Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) is a network of excellence supported by the United Kingdom's (UK) Technology Strategy Board to develop innovation in sensing. The prospects for sensors in medicine are huge and the KTN is helping companies and academics work with medical practitioners to turn research and prototype into reality. But the companies all experience similar challenges when trying to bring new technologies to market.

The most pressing challenges are not scientific, because many of the sensing technologies have already been proven in other industries. They are regulatory, that is, obtaining the necessary approvals prior to adoption; and technical, that is, getting different technologies to work seamlessly together. These issues are particularly daunting for small, focussed, young technology companies without the experience or finances to break down the barriers. Without a clearer and better supported route from research to market, many of the most promising technologies may never benefit the patients they are intended to help.

Application potential

The current drivers for medical sensors are focused on the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The term "medical sensors" encompasses a broad range of technologies used for capturing, processing and accessing information. Many of the technologies can be applied across...