30 May 2006
Innovation prizewinner takes the ouch out of epidurals
The Governor of Victoria, Prof. David de Kretser, announced on Friday 26 May that the Mediseus Epidural simulator - designed for clinicians to practice epidural needle insertion - had won INNOVIC’s 2006 Next Big Thing Award™.
Mediseus Epidural is the world’s first full procedure epidural simulator. The unique haptic (force feedback) technology not only allows clinicians to ‘feel’ the sensation of inserting a needle, but also provides the entire academic content of epidural analgesia within a computer program.
Mediseus Epidural was one of 21 finalists in the INNOVIC 2006 Next Big Thing Award™ - a national competition to find and showcase the best new Australian products and innovations with the potential to become the ‘next big thing’.
“Mediseus is a worthy winner,” INNOVIC CEO, Joss Evans said. “Simulation technology is certainly becoming the next big thing. It is particularly valuable as a training tool in the medical/surgical environment where mistakes can be debilitating or even fatal. It is frightening to know that prior to the Mediseus, the clinicians’ first experience of epidural needle insertion was on a live patient.”
Mediseus Epidural was developed in Melbourne by Medic Vision Pty Ltd to provide technological solutions for medical and surgical training. It has significant potential for export.
Mediseus won a $5,000 cash prize, a media package and trophy.
The Next Big Thing Award celebrates and promotes Australian innovation. The showcase is being held at Level 1, 257 Collins Street, Melbourne. It is open to the public from 10am – 4pm weekdays and closes on Friday 2 June. Entry is free.
PBI
premier bionics limited
