Investment boost for medical learning

A Cardiff University medical learning spin-out venture has received an investment boost of £250,000.

Fusion IP, the university intellectual property commercialisation company that turns university research into business, has co-invested £75,000 in MedaPhor Ltd, a spin-out company from Cardiff University that produces innovative training products for postgraduate medical professionals.

MedaPhor has also received £75,000 from Finance Wales and funding from the Welsh Assembly Government.

The company is developing a portable ultrasound simulator that enables ultrasound training of physicians to take place without utilising ultrasound machines, which are in heavy demand, or volunteer patients. The ultrasound simulator enables trainees to perform virtual reality gynaecological ultrasound examinations, using a virtual probe that conveys the realistic sensation of contact with a live body. This technology will reduce the hands-on patient contact required to achieve full competence.

Roger Fickling, Chief Executive Officer of MedaPhor, said: ‘There is currently a global shortage of trained ultrasound practitioners and, as a result, effective ultrasound training that doesn’t require the use of a hospital ultrasound machine is in strong demand’.

The simulator is expected to be launched commercially into the UK and US markets in 2009.

MedaPhor is attracting significant recognition for its portable ultrasound simulator for physician training, and is a good example of the innovative technologies that are originating from Cardiff University.