Pictured above: Barrie Hayles-Gill, Chief Researcher at
Monica, with the Monica AN24
New technology developed by a Nottingham Doctor could help save
the lives of thousands of unborn babies across the world.
Dr Carl Barratt and his team have spent more than fifteen years
developing the Monica AN24, a new fetal heart monitoring device
that uses highly sensitive electronics to provide constant
monitoring of the heartbeat.
The innovation, which has been supported by the University of
Nottingham, is a major advancement on the traditional Doppler
Ultrasound technique, as it moves on from 'snap shot monitoring',
is completely passive on the foetus and its light weight and
compact design means the 'mums to be' can carry on with their
everyday activities.
It marks what has been a breakthrough year for Monica
Healthcare, with hundreds of devices sold across 21 countries and
the potential to win a Lord Stafford Award after the Bio City-based
company made it through to the final four of the 'Innovation in
Achievement' category.
"Any product that can help save lives of unborn babies is going
to have worldwide appeal and this is what we are finding with new
distribution agreements in place across Europe, Australia, New
Zealand and the gulf," explained Carl.
"All previous attempts by research centres throughout the world
have failed to isolate the extremely small fetal heartbeat from the
maternal heartbeat and this is where our product comes into its
own."
He continued: "Monica uses three channel electrode placement and
unique signature technology to cut out all the other electrical
noise, leaving it free to correctly identify the heartbeat of the
baby no matter where it moves.
"This, combined with the compact design, basically allows
hospitals, midwives and doctors to constantly monitor the heartbeat
no matter where the mum is through the latest bluetooth
technology.
"In terms of global impact, we could be looking at a device that
offers enormous benefits to 'at risk' pregnancies - expected to be
more than 5 million across the world each year."
Monica Healthcare was formed after spinning out of a research
project at the University of Nottingham and currently employs 10
full-time staff.
The action plan for the next year is three fold; to secure more
long-term contracts with the NHS, to complete stringent FDA trials
in the US and to look at other development opportunities whereby
the device could be sold in a consumer arena.
"Getting through to the finals of the Lord Stafford Awards is a
massive achievement for our business and will help add credibility
to what we are trying to achieve," explained Carl.
"The University has benefited by being able to see a company
take a piece of its research and apply it to one of the most
demanding commercial fields imaginable. This has provided excellent
publicity and generated commercial knowledge that will be
channelled back into teaching future students."
He concluded: "We have a pipeline agreement on future products
and a licensing arrangement on new intellectual property, which
could combine to provide a valuable finance stream for the
University."
Backed by the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA), MAS East
Midlands, the East Midlands Universities Association and
Lincolnshire County Council, the Lord Stafford Awards are designed
to celebrate and recognise innovative collaborations between
business and universities.
The winners of the awards, which cover 'Innovation Achieved',
'Innovation in Development' and 'Innovation in Sustainability',
will be announced at a high-profile finale on September 10th at the
Epic Centre in Lincolnshire.
Other sponsors for the event include CFE Ltd, Clever Cherry,
Ceramic Decals, Enterprise Europe Network and Swindell and
Pearson.