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8TH AUG 2008
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 A ground-breaking new device which could revolutionise the way babies learn has been created by a health psychologist from the University of Wolverhampton.
The University has signed an official agreement with Wolverhampton-based Medical Devices Technology International Ltd (MDTi) to take the invention forward and offer it to the NHS and other healthcare organisations. Dr Elvidina Nabuco Adamson-Macedo, a Reader in Mental Health, is behind the ground-breaking ‘Baby Learning Aid’.
Her work is the culmination of years of extensive research and testing, which was in part funded by the sciart programme at the Wellcome Trust, and is set to enable both pre-term and full-term babies to start learning soon after they are born.
Full details of the device cannot be revealed yet due to patent regulations but a launch is planned for early next year.
Dr Adamson-Macedo, who is the former President of the Forum on Maternity and the Newborn at the Royal Society of Medicine (2004-2006), said: “There is nothing on the market that helps babies develop their cognitive, motor and communication abilities, which is how they can interact and learn about people and the environment at an early age.
“The results of my testing were very exciting and showed that babies up to the age of three months are able to do something that was not thought possible.”
She has been working closely with Dr Iain Alexander, Commercial Business Development Manager for the University’s Competitiveness Centre, who has helped to gain financial support through Mercia Spinner, advised on the patenting process and through manufacturing contacts helped Dr Adamson-Macedo turn the concept into a commercially ready product.
Dr Alexander linked the University with MDTi. He said the product would be launched with nurse practitioners, Primary Care Trusts and NHS organisations which would enable it to be given professional endorsement and allow experts to train parents to use it.
Martin Levermore, Chief Executive of MDTi, said: “We believe the product is fantastic for pre-term and full-term babies. We are very pleased to be working with the University. This is an example of how research can lead to healthcare innovation and we are very excited to be taking this ground-breaking product forward.”
The official agreement between the University and MDTi was signed on Friday October 12 - which was fitting for Brazilian born Dr Adamson-Macedo as it was Brazil’s ‘Dia das Crianças’, Children’s Day.
Related Links
University of Wolverhampton News
Student News
University News
Provided by The Student Zone (United Kingdom) |
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