7th September 2012

Anaesthesia Innovation: September’s MediWales Featured Member

Anaesthesia Innovation is an integral part of the vibrant research department of Anaesthetics, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine in Cardiff University benefitting from continuing success in the development of innovative research projects some examples include the Hall Lock device  – a collaborative project with Flexicare Medical Ltd,  which has been CE marked and is currently in clinical trial and in the process of being marketed; and another is the South West and South Wales Critical Care Alliance which was formed in 2011 to address a major unmet need in the treatment of Sepsis, a major global killer with an estimated 18 million cases per annum.

The aim of the Alliance is to link clinicians with basic scientists to find innovative solutions working with industry to help faster diagnosis and better treatments.

Anaesthesia Innovation has a long and effective record of working with regulatory agencies (the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency – MHRA), purchasing agencies (the Purchasing and Supply Agency – PaSA), and directly with companies and their trade association, the British Anaesthetic and Respiratory Equipment Manufacturers Association, BAREMA, as well as standards agencies such as the European Committee for Standardisation – CEN and the British Standards Institution (BSI).

AI is split into 6 integrated sections; Medical Device Testing; Product Development; User Assessments; Applying for Charity and Government Funds; Consultancy and Simulation. The dynamics between research and AI has the added benefit for service users in that in this innovative environment they will have access to expert advice and expertise in relation to both their existing equipment and future developments. The team has extensive experience in presenting at national and international meetings and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

A recent exciting development has been the opening of the Simulation Suite in the Cochrane Building which represents a major step change in the quality of medical school teaching with the use of state-of the art teaching, library and simulation facilities. The access to the state-of-the art simulation facilities will add value to the training and education already provided by AI. A series of training courses for industry are in the process of being developed.

If you are interested in using AI or working in collaboration with the AI team please contact:

Anaesthesia Innovation (AI)

Gareth Wood
Department of Anaesthetics, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine
School of Medicine
Cardiff University
Heath Park
Cardiff CF14 4XN

Tel:          029 2074 2575
E-mail:    woodg1@cardiff.ac.uk