Development of flexible optical occluder

DHC Innovations Ltd has developed a hands-free alternative to currently available occlusion devices.

As a long-term sufferer of uveitis, the creator of the Optishield had been left with troublesome diplopia (double vision). Needing to occlude one eye while reading, there were no products available to suit her needs. The subsequent creation of a soft silicone slip-on occluder has been the result of four years of development.

The device was offered an initial investment boost of £10,000 awarded by the Beacon Visionary Challenge, a sight charity based in the West Midlands. This investment was built on with both practical and financial guidance from the University of Wolverhampton and Keele University.

With a clinical background, the developer was aware of the patient and healthcare provider requirements of a new medical device, but the Optishield needed strong business acumen to succeed. The design went through a number of stages, including computer aided design and 3D printed prototypes. Optishield received a huge surge in interest when Medilink West Midlands introduced the team to the Medical Devices Technical Evaluation Centre, based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. They arranged for a formative usability study to be carried out at the Aston School of Optometry. The highly experienced optometrists perceived the device as a valuable aid for visual acuity testing. Current occlusion is provided by handheld paddles, but it became clear that a hands-free option was desirable.

The study identified a 100 per cent completion success rate, with the participants considering the device to be a helpful aid, resulting in a direct positive impact on their usual clinical practice. Knowing that the Optishield is sitting securely in the right place gives the optometrist the confidence to concentrate on the test taking place, instead of having to think about the positioning of the occluder. Therefore the examination is more comfortable for both the clinician and the patient.

“Innovation in healthcare relies on more than just a great idea. You need a lot of help to navigate an increasingly complex health innovation environment. But happily, the help is available, and there are some excellent medical business advisors that offer great support for small enterprises. Their knowledge, connections and energy have been a tremendous boost for us in achieving what we have done this year. We have moved from proof of concept to actual sales, with a growing number of enquiries from around the world.”

Rebecca Harrison DHC Innovations Ltd

For creating the Optishield, DHC Innovations Ltd recently won the Outstanding Achievement award at the 2019 Medilink West Midlands Medical and Healthcare Business Awards.