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Research carried out by the SESRC has resulted in a new category of health and wellness footwear which has been commercialised by FitFlop Ltd.
Since 2008, the Company has:
Research by Ichiyama and colleagues has resulted in humans with severe spinal cord injury (SCI) recovering standing and stepping, combined with other major health benefits including restoration of urinary continence, bowel movements and sexual function. Specifically, Ichiyama and collaborators used a combination of epidural electrical stimulation of the spinal cord, pharmacological agents and rehabilitation training to enable animals with severe spinal injuries to walk again. This work was the necessary foundation for translation to humans with severe spinal injuries. The publicity surrounding these landmark clinical studies stimulated charitable donations and commercial investment in this new field.
Manchester Metropolitan University's (MMU's) novel research on the musculoskeletal adaptations to resistance training has directly informed what has been called the "gold-standard" for exercise, physical activity and rehabilitation guidelines for older adults published in the USA, as well as the UK Department of Health's guidelines on physical activity and exercise for older adults. MMU's musculo-skeletal research has led to commercial impacts as it has directly informed the design, and modifications to the design of `Technogym' (an international exercise equipment manufacturer) and vibration training devices. Clinical impacts have been realised through the contribution of musculoskeletal research into rehabilitation programmes for children with muscle weakness across Europe. And finally, MMU's research has also raised awareness of, and informed local Government decision-making and policy on, ageing and musculoskeletal deterioration.
An international patent emanating from research from Professor Paul Greenhaff's laboratory and owned by the University of Nottingham (UoN) was purchased by MuscleTech Inc. in 2001 (along with provision of £750k research funding), and used to underpin their highly successful creatine based sports supplement, CellTech. The patent has since been used in [text removed for publication] products creating sales worth $[text removed for publication] million (US) since 2010. A further international patent from the same laboratory based on research on carnitine as a sports supplement has to date been accepted in Australia and Canada and used by the Olympic Team GB in 2012. Negotiations between the UoN and a global company regarding the licencing of this technology are at an advanced stage.
This case study relates to Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) research on musculoskeletal responses to microgravity conditions in spaceflight and the resulting applications and impacts. MMU's research and influence within the UK Space Biomedicine Consortium underpinned a shift in UK Government policy towards full participation in European Space Agency (ESA) programmes. Impacts have also resulted from the development of gravity-independent devices and exercise systems that have been tested by ESA and NASA within various "live" missions on board the International Space Station. MMU's research has also had a big influence on the organisational practices of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) particularly around space physiology.
The University of Glasgow's Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering (CRE) has developed strategies and products that have influenced clinical practice in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) worldwide. The CRE refined the concept of using Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for cycling and abdominal stimulation and defined its benefits to patients by establishing the nature of the medical benefits of the technology.
Working with clinical partners in the Southern General Hospital and Hasomed GmbH, the CRE co-developed FES products that are now used routinely in clinical rehabilitation. Hasomed sell ~500 units p.a. across the world, for use at home, in fitness centres and in SCI clinics to maintain health and wellbeing, thereby reducing patient morbidity and increasing their life expectancy.
Neuro-feedback, utilising a Brain Computer Interface for the treatment of pain associated with SCI, has also been developed into a clinical reality and a limited clinical trial has now shown its efficacy.
Research by Alison McConnell and colleagues has underpinned the creation of a new category of exercise training and rehabilitation; "breathing training" improves exercise tolerance and reduces perceived exertion. McConnell invented the market-leading POWERbreathe® breathing trainer, and since joining Brunel (2000), has led further new product developments via Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) and consultancy. Research by McConnell and her team underpins marketing by POWERbreathe® and several "copycat" products serving UK and overseas markets. Impacts include: 1. physiological benefits to individual users globally, from elite athletes to patients; and 2. commercial benefits to POWERbreathe International Ltd., its supply chain, and to new international businesses serving the breathing training market created by POWERbreathe®.
University of Salford researchers have transferred knowledge from research in the foot health devices sector into products and services in commercial and clinical settings, supporting a £100 billion global healthcare equipment and supplies industry, contributing to economies and to quality of life on a daily basis for those with foot and lower limb health problems, world-wide. The benefiting partners are part of global businesses and public and private sector clinical services and researchers have pioneered the connection of research to commercial foot health contexts on a unique scale:
The Orthotic Research & Locomotor Assessment Unit (ORLAU) (http://www.rjah.nhs.uk/ORLAU) has run multidisciplinary services to improve the function and lifestyle of severely disabled patients since 1975. New specialist clinical services have been established, based on research and development activity. The effectiveness of these services has been the subject of further investigations. Work has focused on the development of novel technology (in gait analysis and orthotics) and increasing understanding of human movement. Conditions treated include cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, neuromuscular disorders, arthritis and stroke. Technological developments have led to licencing within the commercial sector. ORLAU has also contributed to the development of national and international clinical education and guidelines.
Professor Norman Williams and colleagues, based at Queen Mary, developed innovative surgical procedures for patients with anorectal diseases to preserve function, reduce morbidity, eliminate the need for a permanent stoma and reduce its complications. They tested these in clinical trials and showed them to be effective and improve quality of life. The APPEAR procedure (designed to preserve continence in patients who would otherwise require a permanent stoma) is now used internationally and electrically stimulated gracilis muscle (ESGN) is well established as a treatment for end-stage faecal incontinence (FI). The team has harnessed the science of neuromodulation to provide minimally invasive methods of treating FI and developed robust processes for technological development, training and dissemination. Two patents have been filed for innovative surgical instruments and these have been developed commercially.