Good prognosis for vital signs monitor

The Lachesis vital signs monitor, developed by researchers at UniQuest’s commercialisation collaboration partner, the University of Technology Sydney, has received $70,000 in grants to help take the invention to the global market.

Commercialisation Australia has awarded the project a $50,000 Skills & Knowledge grant to bring in expert advice for help with developing a robust business plan.

The grant is in addition to the $20,000 Lachesis has received from the NSW Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services as part of a pilot grant scheme for market validation. This funding has been used to gather direct market insight into how the new invention will be received.

The Lachesis technology is one of six medical devices within a portfolio of 50 new concepts UniQuest will be promoting at this year’s BIO Convention, the largest annual biotechnology industry meeting in the world.

Developed at the UTS School of Electrical, Mechanical and Mechatronic Systems, Lachesis is a wireless vital signs monitor that provides an overall view of cardiac health monitoring.

It can derive blood pressure without the need for an inflatable cuff. It’s simple yet robust measurement technique is combined with analytical algorithms to provide real-time, long-term monitoring of blood oxygen, heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures.

According to Assoc Prof Adel Ali Al-Jumaily, who led the research project, Lachesis is the first wireless device that can accurately monitor a patient’s vital signs.

“While wireless monitors have been developed in the past, they have struggled to return accurate results for blood pressure without the use of an inflatable cuff. However, in the early stages of testing at UTS, we’re already seeing some really positive results with Lachesis,” he said.

“One of the most innovative aspects of Lachesis is its ability to measure blood pressure without the need for an inflatable cuff. This is particularly exciting given that traditional blood pressure monitoring methods have varying degrees of success.

“One-off blood pressure readings at a visit to the doctor don’t tend to be terribly informative. These readings aren’t always representative of actual blood pressure, based on a range of factors from whether you’re nervous about having your blood pressure taken, to whether or not the cuff has been placed in the correct position on your arm.

“Patients who require longer-term monitoring, or who need to monitor their blood pressure at home, can do so using Lachesis without having to stop, apply the cuff and take the reading every hour. “The final design of the product is intended to provide accurate monitoring of vital signs without significantly impacting on the user’s lifestyle,” he said.

The grant funding will allow Prof Al-Jumaily and his team to continue developing the product, with help from UniQuest’s UTS-based manager of innovation and commercial development, Martin Lloyd.

“We’re developing an investment-ready business plan, with the aim of forming a start-up company early next year,” Mr Lloyd explained.

“The results of our market research so far have produced an overwhelmingly positive response from the American cardiology community. We’ll also be conducting a clinical study at UTS in the coming months. Lachesis has the potential to radically change the way we monitor our vital signs, leading to health benefits and cost savings to the healthcare sector.

“Support from Commercialisation Australia and the NSW government has provided a real boost to the project and is an endorsement of the research and of the wider impact that UTS research can have.”

The Lachesis name is derived from Greek mythology, meaning ‘measurer of life thread’.

University of Technology

www.uts.edu.au