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Birth device firm seeks funding | Birth device firm seeks funding |
(1 day later) | |
A company that has developed a device for predicting the onset of labour weeks in advance of childbirth hopes to attract international investment. | A company that has developed a device for predicting the onset of labour weeks in advance of childbirth hopes to attract international investment. |
Inverness-based IVMD also aims to draw the interest of large biotech companies to its products at an BioEquity Europe conference being hosted in Glasgow. | Inverness-based IVMD also aims to draw the interest of large biotech companies to its products at an BioEquity Europe conference being hosted in Glasgow. |
The Prediction of Labour Onset (Polo) tool uses electrical signals in the womb to determine the date of birth. | |
IVMD said it could predict childbirth up to two weeks in advance. | |
Developers hope it will prevent mothers who wrongly believe they are in labour being admitted to hospital. | |
So far the device has been trialled on 60 women at Leeds University but medical chiefs say further research is needed if it is to be rolled out. | |
Electrical signals | |
IVMD research and development manager John Gilmour said: "This device could potentially save the NHS millions of pounds. | |
"It would help reduce the number of women going into hospital only to be told they are not in labour. | |
"All we need now is some more investment so we can bring this to the marketplace." | |
The device works through electrodes which are attached to the woman's abdomen to measure the intensity and frequency of electrical signals in her womb wall. | |
Computer equipment then analyses the data, allowing scientists to predict a birth date. | |
More funding would help them develop a hand-held device for women to use and investigate whether the device is commercially viable. |
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