Overview

Researchers from the University of Birmingham and Imperial College London have initiated a three-year project aimed at improving the adaptability of medical devices to changes in the human body over time.

Project Goals

• Develop medical devices that account for time-based factors such as bodily movement, tissue repair, and age-related degeneration.
• Promote materials that degrade predictably to support faster healing.
• Implement new design methods and manufacturing processes tailored to patient-specific needs.

Project Insights

According to Sophie Cox, project lead at the University of Birmingham:

“Our bodies change over time as we grow, move, and regenerate, but products designed to replace or repair our bodies typically neglect the dimension of time, compromising their function and lifespan. Our vision is to change the way we engineer medical devices.”

Addressing Current Limitations

Current medical device engineering often overlooks time-dependent changes. For example:

• Paediatric implants require replacement as children grow.
• Bone implants may not degrade at the same rate as surrounding tissue regenerates.

By incorporating time as a “fourth dimension,” the project aims to enhance device functionality and longevity, ultimately improving patient outcomes and managing NHS expenditures.

Funding and Broader Context

The 4D Health Tech project is supported by £1.2 million from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). This initiative is part of a larger £10 million investment responding to the national Tomorrow’s Engineering Research Challenges (TERC) report, which highlights critical areas for engineering research to address long-term national priorities.

Expert Commentary

Jane Nicholson, executive director for research at EPSRC, stated:

“Engineering is the cornerstone to a more sustainable, successful, and thriving future for the UK. These new networks will tackle the strategic challenges outlined by the TERC report, presenting an ambitious response to the economic, environmental, and social challenges we face.”

Future Developments

In February 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence announced consultations on changes to its HealthTech program, which could facilitate the adoption of more innovative healthcare technologies by the NHS. This follows new guidance from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to assist medical device manufacturers in preparing for upcoming post-market surveillance regulations.