Summary of the impact

Research carried out by the SESRC has resulted in the development of three novel devices that improve foot and lower limb circulation. These have been commercialised by Actegy Health Ltd.

Since 2008, impact arising from this research includes,

• successful product efficacy trials satisfying Advertising Standards Authority requirements;
• filing of three patent applications;
• generation of total revenues of £53M of which in 2012 two thirds were overseas (£16.3M);
• created 22 direct jobs with significantly more indirect jobs in manufacturing, logistics and marketing;
• a Red Dot Good Design international award in 2012;
• recognition of Actegy Ltd as a Sunday Times fast track 100 company in both 2010(4^th) and 2011(17^th).

Summary of the impact

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:

• Achieved sales of over 17million pairs of FitFlop™ footwear, generating revenues of $350million;
• Increased its worldwide workforce from 17 (in 2008) to 160 (2012);
• Expanded its operations into 52 countries with sales operations in the UK, France, Italy, Spain and the USA;
• Grown from a single to a multi-product footwear manufacturing and retail brand;
• Received the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), and won business awards in 2011 and 2012.

Summary of the impact

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.

Summary of the impact

Research by Professors John Stein and Tipu Aziz at the University of Oxford has had a significant impact on advanced Parkinson's disease patients affected by freezing of gait and loss of balance. Since 2008 deep brain stimulation of the pedunculopontine nucleus has resulted in major improvements in both gait and posture in Parkinson's disease patients who have been treated with dopaminergic drugs for several years, but who had suffered the return of severely disabling movement problems. Around two hundred patients have been successfully treated worldwide through this pioneering surgery, with associated improvements in quality of life.