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Innovative UK company develops gaming programme to support respiratory rehabilitation for children and young people with cystic fibrosis

Summary

Profile Type
  • Technology offer
POD Reference
TOGB20241001017
Term of Validity
1 October 2024 - 1 October 2025
Company's Country
  • United Kingdom
Type of partnership
  • Investment agreement
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
This UK-based community interest company has developed a free-to-use smartphone application (app) that takes the form of a game to assist children and young people with cystic fibrosis in their respiratory rehabilitation. The app works in conjunction with a physiotherapist, who sets up the treatment routine and advises the patient on how to correctly complete each blow action using an Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) device. The app tracks the number of blows and physio sessions,
Full Description
The UK social venture is committed to harnessing the power of ‘play’ to benefit patients managing chronic long-term illnesses by increasing adherence.

According to the World Health Organization: “Increasing the effectiveness of adherence interventions may have a far greater impact on the health of the population than any improvement in specific medical treatments.”

The company is developing innovative products and software to transform respiratory (chest) physiotherapy treatment for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) through fun, engaging, and interactive games.

The exercise app has the capability to remind the player/patient when to change positions and when to perform airway clearance exercises. It is designed to be entertaining and engaging to encourage each ‘player’ to complete excellent and consistent respiratory physiotherapy. Encouraging children and young adults to complete exercise/physiotherapy sessions can be challenging. By gamifying these activities, the aim is to assist parents and family members in ensuring training sessions are completed with minimal conflict.

Gamification services for generic health and fitness are now widespread, with market data indicating that 25 million wearable fitness monitors were sold in 2017.

The company is seeking to commercialize the business through a commercial agreement with technical assistance or is open to exploring research agreements or investment agreements.
Advantages and Innovations
Advantages and Innovations:
• Engaging Experience: The gamification of exercise transforms the negative attitudes of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) toward their daily respiratory physiotherapy, making it fun and interactive.
• Improved Adherence: Enhanced engagement leads to better adherence to treatment, benefiting patients, families, and care teams.
• Wireless Connectivity: The app wirelessly connects to a bespoke Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) monitor, enabling real-time tracking of patient progress.
• Personalized Treatment: Physiotherapists can tailor treatment routines within the app to meet each patient’s specific needs.
• Motivational Tracking: Features like progress tracking and rewards motivate patients to maintain consistency in their therapy.
• Timely Reminders: Built-in reminders prompt patients to change positions and perform airway clearance exercises accurately.
• Conflict Reduction: Gamifying physiotherapy minimizes conflicts between children and caregivers, ensuring smoother therapy sessions.
• Market Readiness: With growing interest in gamified health solutions, this innovative app is well-positioned for market success.
Stage of Development
  • Available for demonstration
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
IPR description
Expertise in designing, developing, and commercializing gamified health applications for respiratory physiotherapy.

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
Expected Role of the Partner The company seeks to identify healthcare partners to assist in testing the gaming platform and supporting small-scale manufacturing. Initially, collaborative partnerships with healthcare providers are desired to further develop the platform and conduct product design and testing for pre-targeted commercialization. Additionally, the company is looking for developers to enhance the delivery and user experience of the product.
Type and Size of Partner
  • SME <=10
  • SME 11-49
  • Other
  • SME 50 - 249
Type of partnership
  • Investment agreement
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 06001020 - Physiotherapy, Orthopaedic Technology
  • 06005003 - Health information management
  • 06001013 - Medical Technology / Biomedical Engineering
  • 06001016 - Physiology
Market keywords
  • 05003001 - Therapeutic services
  • 05007007 - Other medical/health related (not elsewhere classified)
  • 05003006 - Other therapeutic (including defibrillators)
Sector Groups Involved
  • Health
Targeted countries
  • All countries