One of the speakers was Alex Beattie, a UK Chartered Patent Attorney from Forresters. Forresters is a leading firm of intellectual property specialists. Tom spoke with him after the Section meeting and asked his advice in helping him take an idea forward. The Attorney was pleased to offer his help, and this led to a successful application for a patent.
You too can use opportunities like this which come about through the Technology in Medicine Section: it's easy.
You too can use opportunities like this which come about through the Technology in Medicine Section: it's easy.
For Tom, the issue was ‘how to get recovering patients to train the upper body whilst taking care of the head’ There is a growing recognition that after stroke, patients in the community should start to strength train as soon as possible. However, paretic upper limb via spasticity or flaccidity can render certain essential exercises impossible. Furthermore, there is the possibility of knocking scar tissue if craniotomy had taken place, possibly leading to a fit etc.
As a strength trainer, designer and stroke survivor himself, Tom was uniquely placed to tackle tackled the issue of ‘head protection’ whilst training. Often, real innovations for mainstream requirements grow out of problem-solving requirements in specialised fields. From the first designs it became clear that here was a major step forward in bar design not only for recverting patients with hemiplegia but for strength athletes worldwide. Tom also has another medical device, the 'Neurogripper', under application for patent.
DR TOM’S COMBO BAR (Patent No. 1203631.5 applied for).
Designed by Dr Tom Balchin, Built by Watsons Custom Equipment.
10% on each bar given directly to Charity.
