Enterprise Ireland Medical and Engineering Technology (MET) Gateway

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The Enterprise Ireland Medical and Engineering Technology

(MET) Gateway is an interdisciplinary Technology Gateway

providing accredited cutting-edge, industry focussed solutions

for SMEs and larger organisations across the MedTech,

Engineering and Lifesciences sectors.

Based at GMIT’s Galway campus, the MET Technology Gateway

offers a range of applied innovative supports relevant to

companies in the product design application phase.

By actively engaging with clinical and industry partners, the

MET Technology Gateway produces both knowledge and

technology outputs across a range of streams.

Case Study:Cook Medical designed a new delivery system which comprised of a new rotating thumbwheel system for the company’s Zilver®PTX drug eluting peripheral stent. The company had completed the testing of the device in-house and sought medical imaging technologies to verify the accuracy and ease of deployment prior to a first in man trial.

Using the company’s simulation system, MET engineers set up the medical imaging suite to allow the company’s engineers to conduct a series of deployment tests on its new device. MET provided the company all the data collated, accompanied by a copy of the equipment service and calibration records for the company’s technical file.

Case Study:Cook Medical designed a new delivery system which comprised of a new rotating thumbwheel system for the company’s Zilver®PTX drug eluting peripheral stent. The company had completed the testing of the device in-house and sought medical imaging technologies to verify the accuracy and ease of deployment prior to a first in man trial.

Using the company’s simulation system, MET engineers set up the medical imaging suite to allow the company’s engineers to conduct a series of deployment tests on its new device. MET provided the company all the data collated, accompanied by a copy of the equipment service and calibration records for the company’s technical file.

Medical Imaging Technologies

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MET’s suite of Medical Imaging Technologies includes purpose built fluoroscope facility (X-ray) and ultrasound equipment which support:

Product testing:

} In conjunction with anatomical model’s prototype products can be tested under simulated conditions under the fluoroscope

} Ultrasound equipment is used in conjunction with the fluoroscope to conduct visualisation studies of next generation prototypes

} Under simulated conditions, provides companies an opportunity to provide feedback on the design features of their prototypes.

Training:

} Companies demonstrating new technologies to clinicians

} Companies training internal engineers.

Case study:Capsos Medical medical device company based in Galway who design and develop medical devices to penetrate chronic total occlusion of blood vessels. No clinically relevant chronic total occlusion was commercially available that replicates the specific anatomical challenges relevant to test the company’s device. MET Technology Gateway and Capsos Medical collaborated on an Enterprise Ireland innovation partnership funded project to address the technology gap by developing an in vitro simulation system for testing the performance of their product.

MET researchers gathered the relevant clinical data and designed and developed various CTO’s plaque configurations, which were incorporated into clinically relevant coronary vessels. Following the vascular replication, MET designed a state-of-the-art customised in vitro simulation system with interchangeable vascular sections which was fluoroscope compatible.

By providing a highly realistic CTO model and a simulated use environment, the company could carry out design verification studies to evaluate and optimise their prototypes.

Biomedical Engineering Technologies

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MET offers a unique nexus between medical product engineering and an in-depth knowledge of internal anatomy. Our staff are masters in translating medical data (MRI’s, ultrasounds, etc.) into engineering data and finally into customised clinically relevant anatomical models. These best-in-class models address critical R&D needs for:

Concept/Prototype Development

} Accelerating the design process by giving quick insight into design effectiveness.

Product Development

} Allowing companies to reiterate bench top tests to evaluate performance features (e.g.: pushability, trackability, accuracy of deployment, etc.);

} Generating relevant data to demonstrate compliance for regulatory submissions;

} Improving clinical relevance over animal models as specific human abnormalities can be tested;

} Assuring design efficacy prior to animal/ human trials through early design stage testing;

} Allowing companies to carry out on site customer demonstrations and training of their products.

Case study:Capsos Medical is a medical device company based in Galway who design and develop medical devices to penetrate chronic total occlusion of blood vessels. No clinically relevant chronic total occlusion was commercially available that replicates the specific anatomical challenges relevant to test the company’s device. MET Technology Gateway and Capsos Medical collaborated on an Enterprise Ireland innovation partnership funded project to address the technology gap by developing an in vitro simulation system for testing the performance of their product.

MET researchers gathered the relevant clinical data and designed and developed various CTO’s plaque configurations, which were incorporated into clinically relevant coronary vessels. Following the vascular replication, MET designed a state-of-the-art customised in vitro simulation system with interchangeable vascular sections which was fluoroscope compatible.

By providing a highly realistic CTO model and a simulated use environment, the company could carry out design verification studies to evaluate and optimise their prototypes.

Case study:Neuravi is a medical device company based in Galway that design & develop medical devices technologies for the treatment of stroke.

MET Technology Gateway and Neuravi collaborated on an Enterprise Ireland innovation partnership funded project to develop an in vitro simulation system for testing the performance of their product.

Working with the company MET researchers identified a set of performance criteria through medical image analysis of patient specific cerebral vasculature.

Following the vascular replication, MET designed a state-of-the-art customised in vitro simulation system with interchangeable vascular sections which allowed the company carry out evaluation of their prototypes.

Data Analytics and Visualisation Technologies

MET’s clinical data repository is available to companies to inform initial iterations of device prototypes. MET has become known as a Centre of Excellence for usable medical data and provides companies with expertise in:

} Translation and interpretation of medical data to engineering data

} Data Visualisation (graphics, graphic manipulation)

} Big-data analytics (modelling and programming)

} Data storage.

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Case study:Invention Services is a medical device company developing a device for the treatment of Dupuytrens disease. The company sought design expertise to develop a prototype for both clinical and patient feedback on the design of future prototypes.

MET gathered the relevant clinical and engineering data needed for the project by investigating the Dupuytren contracture condition anatomy from medical publications. Using this information, MET engineers designed computer 3D prototype and printed the devices. Following the fabrication of prototypes, characterisation of the products specification in terms of design and functionality was carried out together with the company. On completion of the project the relevant 3D CAD files and the 3D printed final prototypes were provided to the company.

MET offers companies access to skills and experience in the area of biomedical engineering and science, design and prototyping, that can assist companies through the iterative process of early stage product design. These capabilites include:

} Design of prototypes

} Forensic analysis of company products using SEM and high-speed camera

} Access to hardware (rapid prototyping in 3D printing and 4 axis machining)

} Design of Experiments

} Test Method Development

} Literature reviews and technical reports

} Materials and product testing

} 3D rapid prototyping using customised materials

} Histopathology and biochemical analysis

} Statistical analysis

Product Design Verification Technologies

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Case studyMarinova is a biotechnology company dedicated to the development and production of high purity seaweed extracts for the betterment of human health. The company is currently focussing on the development of food components that are able to modulate some of the negative metabolic responses associated with obesity.

The potential of phenolic phytochemicals (polyphenols) to modify some of the negative metabolic effects associated with obesity is an exciting and emerging area of nutritional science research. Marine polyphenols are particularly relevant as functional food ingredients given the current trend of consumer preferences for natural health products and functional foods. 

Through an industrial – sponsored PhD programme with Marnova MET are currently investigating how marine polyphenols may modify the glycaemic, lipaemic and satiety response to carbohydrate-rich foods which will have important implications for control of blood glucose and weight management.

Medicinal Nutrition

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The ability to test and modify the impact of foods on physiological parameters enables food companies to develop niche foods that can target particular groups in the population. MET has leading expertise in nutritional science for medical purposes and can assist companies in product design and innovation through the following supports:

} Food Analysis and Testing:

} Metabolic testing

} Antioxidant assays

} Other food assays

} Food intake studies

} Sensory testing

} Randomised controlled trials

Human Interventional Trials:} Strictly controlled experiments

on human volunteers for one day to several weeks;

} Long-term studies of up to 6 months or longer on human volunteers, with measures taken either in-house or amongst free-living populations.

Product development and Optimisation:} Nutritional labelling, formulation,

replacing synthetic additives, shelf life, evaluating functional and sensory properties;

} Compliance assessment with compositional, labeling, packaging and advertising regulations in the EU.

Enterprise Ireland supports to engage with MET Technology Gateway

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Innovation Voucher The Innovation Voucher initiative was developed to build links between Ireland’s public knowledge providers (i.e. higher education institutes, public research bodies) and small businesses. Innovation Vouchers worth €5,000 are available to assist a company or companies to explore a business opportunity or problem with a registered knowledge provider. 

Am I eligible? The Innovation Vouchers initiative is open to all small and medium-sized limited companies registered in Ireland. Applications are not restricted to clients of Enterprise Ireland. 

For further information about the programme and how to apply, please visit www.innovationvouchers.ie 

Agile Innovation Fund This fund supports clients to quickly develop innovations and respond to opportunities and threats in new and existing markets. It is a great fit for companies that need to rapidly develop solutions or are planning a first R&D project. Eligible companies submit a short online application form to get quicker approval for projects with a maximum expenditure of €300,000. 

For more information, go to www.ambition.enterprise-ireland.com 

Innovation Partnership Programme The Innovation Partnership Programme encourages Irish-based companies to work with Irish research institutes resulting in mutually beneficial co-operation and interaction. Companies can access expertise and resources to develop new and improved products, processes, services, and generate new knowledge and know-how. The participating company benefits in terms of its growth, the evolution of its strategic research and development and the creation of new knowledge that it can use to generate commercial advantage. The research institute benefits in terms of developing skill sets, intellectual property and publications. 

Company Contribution All Innovation Partnership projects require the company partner to provide minimum cash contribution of 20% of the total project cost. In all cases, the company partner must have the resources to contribute its share of the funding for the research and to fund the commercialisation of the research, when completed. 

Eligibility A manufacturing or internationally traded services company with an operating base in the Republic of Ireland that wishes to collaborate with one or more research institutes, also based in the Republic of Ireland, is eligible to participate. 

The company must be a registered client of one of the following state development agencies: Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta, a Local Enterprise Office. 

Funding - Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership Programme provides grants of up to 80% towards eligible costs of the research project. Funding from Enterprise Ireland will normally not exceed €200,000. 

For more information visit www.enterpriseireland.ie

Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Network

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The Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway network is run by Enterprise Ireland in partnership with 11 Institutes of Technologies nationwide. The Gateways provides close-to-market technology solutions that allow companies to develop new products, processes and services by leveraging the research expertise available within each Institute of Technology.

Each Gateway offers specialised expertise and provides innovative technology solutions aligned to individual industry needs.

To optimise the power of the Network 3 clusters were established to deliver market lead innovation solutions for Irish companies, in the areas of Applied Internet of Things, Engineering, materials and design and Food and Beverages Technologies. 

WiSARWireless Solutions

PEMPrecision Engineering &Manufacturing

METMedical & EngineeringTechnologies

Shannon ABCApplied Biotechnology

iMaRIntelligent Mechatronics& RFID CAPPA

Innovation through Light

TECEmbedded Systems

SEAMEngineered Materials

PMBRCPharmaceutical & Healthcare

TSSGMobile Services

DESIGN+Applied Design

CRESTCoatings Innovation

APTPolymer Technologies

ComandConnected Media

LETTERKENNY IT

IT SLIGO

GMIT GALWAY

ATHLONE IT

LIMERICK IT

IT TRALEECORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

WATERFORD INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

IT CARLOW

IT TALLAGHT

DIT

MICRABio Diagnostics

EMD Ireland

EMD Ireland (Engineering, Materials & Design) is a cluster of six Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateways operating within the engineering, materials and design sector. The cluster provides a range of expertise for companies who are looking to access research and development within these areas. The cluster can connect with industry researchers in areas such as Precision Engineering, Biotechnology, Polymers, Protective Coatings, Prototype Design, Medical Imaging Technologies and 3D Medal Additive Manufacturing. 

The EMD Ireland Technology Gateway Cluster consists of:

APT: Applied Polymers (Athlone Institute of Technology) 

CREST: Innovative Coatings (DIT) 

Design +: Applied Design (Institute of Technology Carlow) 

MET: Medical & Engineering (Galway Mayo Institute of Technology) 

PEM: Precision Engineering and Manufacturing: (Institute of Technology Sligo) 

SEAM: Materials & Engineering (Waterford Institute of Technology) 

Irish Food Tech

Irish Food Tech is a cluster of seven Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateways operating within the broad Food and Beverage Technology sector. The cluster provides a range of expertise for companies who are looking to access research and development within these areas. 

The cluster can connect industry with researchers in a wide selection of areas that include bioprocessing, food for health, process control and packaging amongst many others. 

The Irish Food Tech Technology Gateway cluster consists of:

APT: (Athlone Institute of Technology) 

CAPPA: (Cork Institute of technology) 

Design: (Institute of Technology Carlow) 

MET: (Galway Mayo Institute of Technology) 

MiCRA: (Institute of technology Tallaght) 

PMBRC: (Waterford Institute of Technology) 

Shannon ABC: (Institute of Technology Tralee and Limerick Institute of Technology)