NIHR - Devices for Dignity and Invention for Innovation
Stand number: 31 
This is a shared stand between 2 parts of NIHR - National Institute for Health Research - Devices for Dignity and Invention for Innovation
Devices for Dignity
Devices for Dignity is a HTC is a clinician-led formal but responsive collaboration between clinicians, patients, academia and industry and a national resource established to address areas of unmet clinical need, where innovations in treatments and technologies have the potential to make a high impact by reducing morbidity and improving quality of life for a 
large population of patients.
Devices for Dignity (D4D) has been developed to drive innovation from within the NHS by identifying the unmet clinical needs of patients, users and healthcare professionals.
Our goal is to develop solutions to those needs using our interface with academia and industry to provide fit for purpose devices that enhance independence and preserve dignity.
Contact: Chris.harris@d4d-htc.org.uk
Invention for Innovation (i4i)
I4i Future Product Development (FPD) is positioned at the “upstream” part of the innovation process – that is close to “ideas generators”. Other organisations and funding streams are more focused on the “downstream” part – commercialisation and exploitation - and i4i will work with them.
In order to match the innovation process as closely as possible and to accommodate innovation from different sources, FPD is divided into three funding streams: FPD1, FPD2 and FPD3. In turn FPD3 is divided into streams (a) and (b).
1) Future Product Development Stream 1 (FPD1) - Feasibility study
Up to 1 year investigation led by a clinician or an academic research group, to determine first if prior basic research or an innovative use of an existing technology can be used to meet an existing or emerging healthcare need, and then to identify the barriers that would need to be overcome before implementation. There must be a potential for any device based on the technology investigated to be developed through further applied R&D. The study must also identify the barriers that would need to be overcome before implementation. Funding to a total of £100K is available.
2) Future Product Development Stream 2 (FPD2) - Applied research project
A detailed investigation of up to 3 years led by a clinician or an academic research group that builds on the results of a completed assessment of the feasibility to produce a medical device or product through technological improvements or developments and that provides further evidence of its capacity to deliver improved healthcare outcomes and commercial opportunities. Funding of the order of £150K - £250K per year is available.
3a) Future Product Development Stream 3a (FPD3a) – Commercial Viability Study
Investigations lasting up to one year involving collaboration between at least one industry and one research (academic or clinical) partner aimed at determining whether an innovative use of an existing or emerging product or technology can be used to meet a healthcare need and identifying the barriers that would be need to be overcome. Funded projects serve primarily as the first stage of a full collaborative applied research project.
Deliverables are expected to include: analysis of the clinical need, proof of concept, identification of the technical risks, robust plan for commercialisation, formation of a strong consortium to take the commercialisation plan forward.
Project costs can be no more than £100K in total, and 75% funding is available.
3b) Future Product Development Stream 3b (FPD3b) – Collaborative applied research project
A detailed investigation of up to 3 years involving collaboration between at least one industry and one research partner (academic or clinical) that builds on the results of a completed assessment of feasibility. This will provide further evidence of the capability to deliver improved healthcare outcomes and commercial opportunity, delivering an advanced prototype along with plans for commercial and intellectual property exploitation. Funding to a maximum of 50% of the total project costs, and £100K - £300K per year is available.
‘…supporting projects to success’
Examples of innovation which have been a part of this process
1. Institute for Musculoskeletal Research and Clinical Implementation Anglo-European College of Chiropractic Bournemouth University
An Objective Spinal Motion Imaging Assessment (OSMIA)
IMRCI is a research department within the AECC – an associate HE college of Bournemouth University, accredited by the General Chiropractic Council to provide a qualification in chiropractic for state registration.
2. Neater Solutions Ltd
Neater Uni-Chair
Developed in association with the University of Brighton, with a Health Technology Development Grant (HTD), the Neater Uni-Chair is most commonly used by people with hemiplegia caused by stroke. It is steered through a cable linkage by the user turning their active foot.
3. Toby Churchill Ltd
SPECS – Speech controlled Environmental Control Systems and VIVOCA – Voice Input Voice Output Communication Aid
New assistive technologies for disabled and elderly people, enabling independence, providing environmental control and dysarthric speech “translation”.
Register Now for the Early Bird Rate
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