23 May, 2014

In close consultation with world leading experts in otolaryngology, CIT researchers and AventaMed founders, Olive O Driscoll and John Vaughan, have pioneered a novel disposable device, (called the V-tube) which can now allow a pre-loaded grommet to be inserted into the eardrum in less than 2 seconds.

 

The device had been developed in CIT’s Medical Engineering Design and Innovation Centre (MEDIC) through an Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund project.

The placement of grommets for drainage and ventilation of the middle ear is a large, worldwide, problem, with approximately 1 in every 15 children undergoing the procedure by the time they are 7 years old. The time consuming procedure is currently carried out in an operating theatre setting, under general anaesthetic and requires high levels of manual dexterity, multiple surgical instruments and a team of 4. The use of general anaesthetic in such young patients also carries inherent risks.

This V-tube will allow the procedure to be carried out in a clinical setting without the need for the use of the traditional general anaesthetic in an operating theatre. Its intuitive design, safety features, and cost-saving benefits, have been met with great enthusiasm in the medical field.

The device recently won the MedTech Idol Competition at the Invest in Innovation (IN3) Medical Device 360° conference, which brought together key thought leaders, corporate business development execs, venture capital and angel investors in the industry. As winners, AventaMed will now represent CIT at the IN³ Medical Device 360° Summit from 5th - 7th November in San Francisco. If you or your company would like to explore opportunities in the biomedical engineering field, feel free to get in touch. extendedcampus@cit.ie 021 4335302 More information on MEDIC here