University designers boost AN

Mar 10 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A MEDICAL device company has been given a helping hand by one of the region’s universities to build a £400,000 ground breaking optometry tool.

Cramlington-based Applied Neuro- diagnostics (AN) has collaborated with Northumbria University’s Centre for Design and Research to create a fully functioning prototype of its eye tracking and pupil measuring machine, which it hopes to be used in stores including Dollond & Aitchison and Vision Express.

The firm, which was formed in 2003, is hoping to hit a turnover of £1.5m this year and believes it has potential to grow this to £4.5m in 2009.

The Pupilmetrix PLR60 has been designed to improve the ability and speed of optometrists in determining the presence or absence of damage to the retina as part of a routine eye test. Keith Morris, general manager of AN, said: “We are committed to using local expertise and suppliers in building the business. We were impressed by the quality of the Centre for Design Research’s expertise in the medical field. Its capacity to apply intellect and technical expertise to a tough brief has created a great prototype that we can use for the product demonstrations and marketing purposes.”

AN was set up by the late Bob Sinclair, who left to find his fortune in America 40 years ago after studying engineering at Durham University. He returned to launch the UK offshoot of his Boston-based Applied Science Group.

AN secured funding from North East healthcare & life science support group Cels, which went towards the £400,000 needed to develop the prototype. Cels was able to lend its support through the InSTeP programme, which is an agreement with Northumbria University to utilise its expertise in design, engineering and technology through targeted funding.

Mark Jarvis, InSTeP programme manager at Cels, said: “I am confident this new, state-of-the-art product will show the region at the leading edge of medical device development and contribute towards the growth of the North East’s healthcare economy.”