From the Oxford Brookes University News Archive
25/02/2015
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has awarded a grant of £1.86 million to a collaborative project led by the University of Warwick and involving academics from Oxford Brookes University, Cardiff University, the University of Kent, University College London, University of Salford and University of York.
Researchers will design and develop cheap, disposable, unobtrusive bio-sensors such as temporary tattoos and smart watches to be worn by patients who use wheelchairs or prosthetics.
The study will collect data and monitor how patients use the equipment provided to them, and also measure how they follow exercise advice at home, for example, after a stroke or accident. The research will also develop software that uses the biosensor information to support users with their equipment or exercises in their own home. Currently there is no picture of what happens after a patient leaves the clinic. Anecdotally, poor use of equipment or not following physiotherapy guidance on exercise can lead to more complex health problems.
The information will benefit patients and enable them to leave hospital sooner and enable clinicians and medical technologists to understand conditions, better support patients in their home environment, and improve or adjust the design of equipment for patients.
Professor Helen Dawes of Oxford Brookes University will take overall clinical lead for the project, providing expertise across study types and patient groups, and will be responsible for the coordination of the clinical centres between Oxford and the University of Cardiff, University of Salford and University College London. Dr Patrick Esser will be one of nine postdoctoral research assistants on the project. His role is to translate the sensor data (e.g. heartrate, stress, etc.) into meaningful physiological data for use by the clinicians.
Christopher James, project lead, and Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Warwick said: "The new information we will gain from this research will be invaluable, and through a feasibility study, it is our aim to produce a system ready for future technical/ clinical trials within the NHS."
More information about the grant is available here, and some of the other projects funded by the EPSRC are featured here.
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