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Research in Leeds has identified independent risk factors associated with pressure ulcer development and made a significant contribution to the evidence base for choosing the most cost- effective mattress to prevent pressure ulcers. Through publication and subsequent integration into systematic reviews/ practice guidelines, and membership of committees the research has been disseminated to policy makers and practitioners. Leeds evidence is now included in international guidelines in at least 17 languages. This has led to a change in clinical and purchasing practice with likely reduction in the number of pressure ulcers and health service cost.
Around 25% of UK adults have high blood pressure (hypertension), accounting for more than half of all strokes and heart disease. The pressure that the heart and brain senses that leads to these diseases is central aortic pressure. The Unit's research developed and evaluated methods for the non-invasive assessment of central aortic pressure, demonstrating its important relationship to clinical outcomes. The work has contributed to improvements in the way high blood pressure is treated for millions of people, nationally and worldwide, by (i) providing a rationale for one of the biggest-ever changes in treatment guidance in 2006; (ii) stimulating major growth in medical devices for the non-invasive measurement of aortic pressure with a simple, easy-to-use wristwatch invention; (iii) and developing central aortic pressure as a better biomarker for pharmaceutical companies to develop new drugs to treat hypertension.
Research undertaken at ERPE on the unsteady flow and air pressure regime in building drainage networks led to the development of the Positive Air Pressure Attenuator — PAPATM (http://www.studor.net/papa-system) and DyteqtaTM (http://www.dyteqta.com/introduction.html) devices which reduce the risk to health presented by the potential for cross-transmission of aerosolised pathogenic micro-organisms e.g. SARS. Since 2008, the PAPATM has been installed in 300 plus buildings in 15 countries, reducing the risk of infection and improving air-quality for an estimated 20,000 people. Studor, who employ 9 people to market these devices, have increased turnover [text removed for publication].
Research by the University of Huddersfield has helped shape policy and practice in the field of surgical site infection (SSI) and wound management. It has contributed to best practice guidance and helped to raise practitioner, industry and public awareness of the importance of effective clinical interventions in infection prevention, tissue viability and wound care. These efforts, recognised by numerous awards, have been supported by significant industry engagement and the successful development and use of on-line tools to share best practice, promote evidence-based care and highlight the value of an inter-disciplinary approach to the problem of SSI.
As a result of research on moisture sensing, Professor Patricia Connolly developed and successfully clinically trialled a disposable, sterile, moisture sensor which enabled real-time measurement of the moisture level in a wound without disturbing the dressing. Ohmedics Ltd was spun out in 2009 to market the disposable sensor and associated hand-held meter. The system, known as WoundSense™, gained the CE mark in 2010. The device is available commercially and is in use in hospitals in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, is starting to penetrate international markets, and had first sales to the NHS in the UK in 2012. The system is being piloted for use with remote monitoring `telehealth' technology. The British military currently (July 2013) have the system in clinical trial for monitoring of complex trauma wounds. The creation of Ohmedics has given specialist employment to 6 people in the company and helps support another 4 skilled jobs at UK contract manufacturers.
Water distribution systems (WDS) are highly complex, spatially distributed networks comprising thousands of different components which deliver drinking water to customers. The impact described here has been achieved in areas of energy management, pressure control and burst detection in WDS. Some developed solutions, such as the model reduction method, model of pump stations and pressure control algorithms, have been widely accepted by the water research community and then filter down to industrial applications or implemented in a widely available shareware. Direct economical and environmental impacts have been achieved by projects for the UK companies with measurable benefits in pounds through reducing water losses and energy consumption as described in Section 4. These include South Staffordshire Water, Aquavent and Scottish Water in the pressure control area and Affinity Water (former Veolia) in the energy management and burst detection areas.
Research at the University of Bath on highly structured materials for adsorbing and separating gases has created business and economic impact via:
[Comment: Although beyond the cut-off date for impact achievement, as at 31 October 2013 n-psl had been acquired by the FTSE 100 listed international engineering group, IMI plc.]
Adults with epidermolysis bullosa have extensive chronic wounds that seriously compromise their quality of life. Research at King's College London (KCL) has led to the development and commercialization of an innovative range of dressing retention garments, Skinnies WEB™, which radically improve patient experience and significantly reduce costs. KCL work has also generated a range of novel methodologies for research including a validated n-of-1 design for proof of concept tests, a validated model for engaging users in the design and development of medical devices and the TELER clinical notemaking system for wound care, which has been adopted internationally. This work has generated new business opportunities (product lines and roll-outs) for four UK companies.