A new disruptive device designed to increase the strength of the foot muscles, including the intrinsic muscles of the foot, will be launched after a specialized support injection from Heriot-Watt University.
Gerry Farrell, inventor of Novobow. Image credit: Heriot-Watt University
Presented to coincide with the opening ceremony of the Medical Device Manufacturing Center, based at Heriot-Watt University, the Novabow device is designed to prevent and treat sports injuries and a wide range of complications and foot diseases.
Research in recent years has revealed the vital role of intrinsic foot muscles, demonstrating their role in running injuries, diabetes-related conditions, including neuropathy (numbness of the foot), and ulcers, along with more frequent but painful complaints, such as juans.
A Glasgow practicing dentist is ready to transform the health of your feet with an easy-to-use foot exercise device that increases foot muscle strength. Working with designers and consultants at the Heriot-Watt University Medical Device Manufacturing Center, Gerry Farrell will launch the device this summer.
In recent years, our understanding of the vital role of the intrinsic muscles of the foot has grown exponentially. Modern footwear weakens our feet, so most of us do not have the strength we need for proper balance and exercise. This can contribute to a number of deformities of the toes, pain and injury.
One of the main reasons why people stop playing sports or enjoying exercise is because of the pain. Many of the available foot exercises focus on the wrong muscles or do not reach the intrinsic muscles properly or easily. As an amateur athlete, I wanted to prevent sports injuries and the results of our pilot studies at Napier and Stirling universities have been very positive. We also tested the long-term device with Olympic hammer thrower Chris Bennett, who had to be operated on before resolving his knee and back problems with the Novabow device. He now uses it daily.
The support provided by MDMC has been invaluable in developing the device for the market. As a dentist trying to launch a unique exercise system with clear medical benefits, I have encountered many challenges. Heriot-Watt University’s MDMC team helped me with detailed CAD drawings and offered an introduction to the right kind of specialized plastics manufacturer, something I wouldn’t have found without your help. The facility is invaluable for SMEs working in the complex medical device market. ”
Gerry Farrell, CEO of Jomarg Innovation Ltd and inventor of the Novabow foot exercise device
Significantly, people living with diabetes have a particularly high risk of developing complicated foot conditions, including neuropathy, which causes severe numbness in the feet. A diabetic with this disease is 20 times more likely to fall than someone without diabetes. This significantly increases the risk of injury, especially as a person gets older. Foot and ankle exercise programs have significantly improved and even reversed neuropathy.[1]
A second challenge for those living with diabetes is ulceration, which in some cases can lead to infection and amputation. Research shows that ulcer recurrence is drastically reduced with foot and ankle exercise from 72% to just 16% with this type of exercise.[2]
We can see enormous potential for the Novabow device to address and prevent a wide range of health conditions, as well as to support both amateur and professional athletes in exercising safety. As we mark the official launch of MDMC at Heriot-Watt University, we expect many more companies like Novabow to have access to our free medical device manufacturing support.
The MDMC was created to help SMEs like Jomarg Innovation find the right manufacturers for their product, to make full use of our £ 2 million expertly guided laboratory equipment and to navigate the difficult path of device regulation. doctors. Our support is free for Scottish SMEs, which demonstrates our institution’s commitment to accelerating life sciences innovation in Scotland and beyond. “
Professor Marc Desmulliez, Manager, Medical Device Manufacturing Center (MDMC), Heriot-Watt University
Commenting on the opening of the Heriot-Watt University Medical Device Manufacturing Center, Business Minister Ivan McKee said:
“The Scottish Government is celebrating today the opening of the Medical Device Manufacturing Center, which we have supported through our Advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund to stimulate innovation for smaller businesses.
“The Center can help make Scotland ‘s healthcare more innovative in addressing urgent clinical needs, in line with the business ambitions of our National Strategy for Economic Transformation.
“The Center supports smaller businesses and start-ups as they overcome the challenges of prototyping and testing while meeting the strict regulatory requirements of the NHS. I look forward to seeing what innovations emerge and how they help improve quality healthcare for millions of people around the world. “
The Novabow foot exercise system holds patents for Europe and the United States. It has been supported by a number of partners, including Heriot-Watt University-based Medical Device Manufacturing Center, Scottish Enterprise, Napier and Stirling, Interface and Business Gateway (Glasgow City Council).