25 July 2005
NEW SYSTEM TO TREAT MIDDLE EAR PROBLEMS
Researchers at the University of Dundee have developed new technology which could revolutionise
the treatment of middle ear problems.
A team led by Professor Eric Abel have created the SMARTFIT system, a radically new approach to
the design of ossicular replacement prostheses (the tiny bones in the ear), which aims to be the
first commercial product to give a genuine replication of the physiological function of the middle
ear.
"Hearing loss affects a large number of people and we are very optimistic that our new concept
in prosthesis design will prove to be a technical and clinical success," said Professor Abel,
Professor of Biomedical Engineering & Head of the Division of Mechanical Engineering and
Mechatronics at the University.
"Most importantly, we hope that it will lead to an significant improvement in hearing for the
large numbers of people who have conductive hearing loss."
The technology is still be further developed and this will be carried out through commercial
enterprise, either a new spinout company or through licensing agreement.
Commercialisation of the research has already received financial support from the Scottish
Enterprise Proof of Concept programme.
"I and my colleague Dr Robert Mills are delighted to have received this Proof of Concept award
from Scottish Enterprise," said Prof Abel.
The SMARTFIT technology has the potential to create safer and more effective artificial 'bone'
implants for the middle ear to restore hearing for people affected by Conductive Hearing Loss.
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.
Successful demonstration of the system could make a major impact on the Euro170 million market
in ossicular prostheses. It would also boost Scotland's standing in the valuable medical device
sector, which has a global worth of over Euro75 billion.
The development of SMARTFIT, together with another spinout company already being established in
Dundee to commercialise another hearing implant previously developed under an earlier Proof Of
Concept-funded project, may 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, giving Dundee an unrivalled presence in the Science sector
of the awards.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About The Proof of Concept Programme
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.
The objectives of the Programme are:
To improve the level and quality of commercialisation through the provision of funding for early stage development activity within Scotland’s universities, research institutes and NHS Boards.
To contribute to the development of Scotland’s clusters by facilitating the exploitation of enabling technologies from within the fundamental and strategic research base.
To contribute to the longer-term development of a strong, knowledge-based economy in Scotland.
Further details on the Proof of Concept Programme, the projects that are currently supported
and the application process can be found at:
www.scottish-enterprise.com/proofofconcept
About Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise is the main economic development agency for Scotland covering 93% of the
population from Grampian to the Borders. The Scottish Enterprise Network consists of Scottish
Enterprise and 12 Local Enterprise Companies. Working in partnership with the private and public
sectors the Network aims to build more and better businesses, to develop the skills and knowledge
of Scottish people, and to encourage innovation to make Scottish business internationally
competitive.
A cluster is a group of related industries and organisations. They can be each other's customers,
competitors, partners, suppliers or research and development sources. Partners in a cluster
continue to compete, but they also begin to share the benefits of innovative ideas and practices
that each contributes. This makes them more competitive. An example of a successful cluster is the
Biotechnology industry in Dundee. The cluster approach in Scotland, pioneered by Scottish
Enterprise, aims to ensure that Scotland's small, open economy thrives in an increasingly
competitive global economy.
By Roddy Isles, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, r.isles@dundee.ac.uk | 
