This innovation is a novel patch sampling approach to grading and mapping cervical cancer. The Cervical Patch device aims to ensures more accurate screening for HPV (Human Papillomavirus) which can cause cervical cancer. The new device will improve detection results by enabling non-invasive evaluation of all the cells at the cervical surface while preserving their spatial information.
The project award will support design and development costs, delivering a working prototype of the patch sampling device. The project will be separated into four phases of work, with the first phase ensuring prototype plans are suitable for testing on mannequins and other models in the next two phases. The fourth stage of the project will see health economic and regulatory assessments, ready for the next phase of commercialisation.
Dr Robin Crawford, Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, says “The cervical patch sampler provides a significant possibility to improve cervical screening by introducing a pain free test, using our better understanding of the science underlying the evolution of cervical cancer and incorporating a biomarker and machine learning process to provide rapid reliable results. Following impressive news about the efficacy of the HPV vaccine in reducing cervical cancer we need a leap forward in the screening technology in cervical cancer management such as the cervical patch sampler.”
Inventors
Dr Robin Crawford, Dr Mohamed Aslam Shiraz and Prof. John Doorbar
NHS Organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust & University of Cambridge
Award Amount
£125,000