New way of monitoring blood pressure wins innovation and technology award

Revolutionary device developed by University of Leicester, in collaboration with biotech SME HealthStats in Singapore and the NHS, wins Times Higher Education Award.

The University of Leicester has won the prestigious Times Higher Education award for Innovation and Technology, beating off stiff competition from universities across the country.

The University spearheaded the development of a world-first device that could revolutionise the way blood pressure is measured and monitored for the first time in more than a century.

Professor Bryan Williams, Professor of Medicine at the University of Leicester and a consultant at University Hospitals of Leicester, has worked in academic partnership with HealthStats, a biotechnology company in Singapore to develop a sophisticated wristwatch device that uses a sensor on the wrist to record the pulse wave and then, using computerised mathematical modelling of the pulse wave, scientists are able to accurately read the pressure close to the heart. Patients who have tested the new device found it easier and more comfortable. 

The University of Leicester's contribution to this discovery work was supported by funding from the Department of Health's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The NIHR has invested £3.4million with a further £2.2million Capital funding from the Department of Health to establish the Biomedical Research Unit at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, dedicated to translational research in cardiovascular research. 

University of Leicester Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Robert Burgess said: "I am delighted to congratulate Professor Bryan Williams on his award.  It is richly deserved for a development that will benefit so many people.  It is an excellent example of the results of leading edge research." 

Professor Williams said: "I am thrilled that our work and that of colleagues in Singapore has won this award for outstanding contribution to innovation and technology. This is the kind of academic/industry partnership that is essential to take forward ideas into practice changing innovation. 

"I am under no illusion about the magnitude of the change this technique will bring about.  It has been a fabulous scientific adventure to get to this point and it will change the way blood pressure has been monitored for more than a century. 

"Leicester is one of the UK's leading centres for cardiovascular research and is founded on the close working relationship between the University and the Hospitals which allows us to translate scientific research into patient care more efficiently.  Key to our contribution to this work has been the support from the NIHR without which we would not have been able to contribute to this tremendous advance. The support of the NIHR has been invaluable in backing us to take this project from an idea to the bedside. Critical to the success of this project has been the synergies of combining clinical academic work here with HealthSTATS and their outstanding medical technology platform in Singapore. This has been the game-changer and I really do think this is going to change clinical practice." 

Dr. Choon Meng Ting the Chairman and CEO of HealthSTATS said: "We are delighted with this new accolade. This further testifies to the hard work that the teams have put in to change the perception and methods behind conventional blood pressure measurement.

There is tremendous interest now in the non-invasive measurement of pressure close to the heart in clinical studies and clinical practice. We hope our efforts will culminate in improving patient care and reducing the incidences of stroke and heart attacks." 

The Award, sponsored by Elsevier, was made at a glittering ceremony at the Grovesnor House Hotel, London, where Ann Mroz, editor of the Times Higher, said the University of Leicester project was 'among the research achievements that captured the imagination of our judges.'