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July 25, 2005
Implant could restore hearing to the deaf
A new implant is being developed by scientists that could restore the hearing of millions of deaf people. The revolutionary technology called SMARTFIT aims to mimic physiological hearing functions for the first time by producing replicas of the tiny bones in the middle ear.
The artificial bone implants are still being created but doctors hope they will restore hearing for people affected by conductive hearing loss.
Professor Eric Abel, a biomedical engineer at Dundee University, said: "Hearing loss affects a large number of people and we are very optimistic our new concept in prosthesis design will prove to be a technical and clinical success.
"Most importantly we hope it will lead to an significant improvement in hearing for the large numbers of people who have conductive hearing loss."
The technology is still being further developed and the research is being part-funded by the Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept programme.
Said Prof Abel: "I and my colleague Dr Robert Mills are delighted to have received this Proof of Concept award from Scottish Enterprise."
SMARTFIT could greatly increase the number of restorative operations carried out for a condition which currently affects around eight million people in the western world.
The development of SMARTFIT could lead to the creation of new jobs in Dundee and investment in a developing platform of advanced medical devices and smart materials technology.
The University has established a strong track record in commercial spin-outs of academic research.
Recently four companies which have emerged from the University's research base - Whole Life Consultants Ltd, Aktina Ltd, Lumenus Ltd and Calico Jack Ltd - were all honoured at the Scottish Executive's SMART 2004 Awards.
The Proof of Concept Programme supports leading-edge technologies in Scotland's academic institutions and aims to help export innovation from the lab into the global marketplace.
The £49million programme launched in 1999 now supports 172 ground-breaking projects worth £28.1 million and has created 400 new jobs.
It concentrates on early-stage ideas which have typically reached patent level and could lead to the creation of new businesses or licensing innovative technologies.
Successful bidders must demonstrate that their ideas have originality and true commercial potential. The projects supported via the programme are high risk and will generally take several years to become commercially viable investments.
From Life Style Extra
Posted by 4HL on July 25, 2005 12:32 PM
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