Medical & Engineering Technology Gateway

MET equipment includes:

- Medical Imaging (X-ray and ultrasound)

- Simulation systems for medical device testing

- Engineering test facilties

- SEM analysis

MET technological offering to its industry partners include:

Technology Theme 1: Medical Imaging Technologies

MET has a licenced, purpose built fluoroscope facility and ultrasound equipment which support a variety of engagements with industry:

• Product testing:
  • In conjunction with anatomical models (see Technology Theme 2), 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

Technology Theme 2: Biomedical Engineering Technologies

Our Biomedical Research Centre staff are masters in translating medical data (MRI’s, ultrasounds, etc.) into engineering data and finally into customised clinically endorsed anatomical models. These best-in-class models can be customised to replicate standard or patient specific profiles. These capacities address critical R&D needs of industry for:

• Concept/Prototype Development
  • Accelerating the design process by giving quick insight into design effectiveness
• Product Development
  • Allowing companies to reiterate bench top tests in clinically relevant models 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;
  • Enhancing cost effectiveness through cheaper and quicker testing than animal studies;
  • 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.

Technology Theme 3: Data Analytics and Visualisation

MET’s medical imaging repository is a rich database already being exploited by several MedTech companies. Through continuing to build the size of the medical imaging data repository, GMIT has become known as a Centre of Excellence for usable medical data.

Developing connected health technologies for the healthcare system requires expertise in a number of different disciplines. Therefore, MET’s Data Analytics and Visualisation technology expertise companies provides expertise in:

• Translation and interpretation of medical data to engineering data;
• Data Visualisation (graphics, graphic manipulation);
• Big-data analytics (including sensors, IoT, modelling and programming);
• Data storage.

Technology Theme 4: Product Design Verification Technologies

MET offers expertise in:

• 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 (DoE) iterative studies;
• Test Method Development;
• Literature reviews and technical reports;
• Materials and product testing;
• 3D rapid prototyping using customised materials;
• Histopathology and biochemical analysis;
• Statistical analysis: equivalence testing, human factor studies (using models) & stability analysis.

Medical Device Tesing and Design