Dr James Stone and his team - including Prothea Technologies' Dr Harry Wood - have been using the University's Fibre Fabrication Facility to develop and evaluate affordable optical fibres tailored for healthcare and medical applications. Unlike the state-of-the-art imaging fibres, which consist of numerous 'cores' bundled together, each acting as a pixel to transmit precise images externally, their goal is to create economically feasible disposable imaging devices.
These optical fibres draw inspiration from the telecommunications sector and aim to provide high-quality imaging for the healthcare industry. By doing so, they aim to overcome the challenges associated with the current fibres, such as high costs and the need for sterilisation, which can degrade their lifespan and pose cross-contamination risks.
A rewarding return to Bath
Harry is quick to highlight the tremendous support he received from the Research Infrastructure and Facilities service throughout the project - a collaboration between Prothea Technologies and the University:
‘Prior to joining Prothea Technologies, I completed my undergraduate studies in the Physics department at the University of Bath. This academic background gave me firsthand knowledge of the exceptional research facilities available at the University, which eventually led me to collaborate with them.
'Recognising the immense potential for real-world impact in the field of medical optics, I was particularly drawn to the remarkable opportunities presented by the specialised engineering techniques employed in their fibre-drawing towers. Subsequently, I had the privilege of working at the University as both a PhD student and a postdoctoral researcher.
‘Throughout the research project, we've forged significant partnerships with fellow researchers, esteemed universities, and external organisations. The Centre for Photonics and Photonic Materials (CPPM) has actively collaborated with academic and industrial institutions on a global scale. One noteworthy joint endeavour involved a collaborative study conducted alongside the University of Edinburgh, where we successfully pioneered the development of micro-endoscopes incorporating novel imaging fibres.
'This groundbreaking innovation enables enhanced disease diagnosis in the distal lung, resulting in reduced treatment time, streamlined clinical workflow through disposability, and ultimately, improved patient outcomes. Moreover, our recent work includes diverse projects, such as the exploration of quantum optics in conjunction with ORCA Computing and the University of Colorado's joint efforts in advancing UV waveguides for application in robotic space probes.’
A positive collaboration
Harry had a positive experience collaborating with a research team and benefited greatly from the expertise provided by a University research facility.
‘I thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with the research team, and the invaluable expertise offered by the university research facility significantly contributed to our research endeavours. Our focus was primarily on developing innovative imaging and spectroscopy fibres to aid in characterising tissue diseases. We successfully integrated these fibres into prototype micro-bronchoscopes, continuously refining their designs based on invaluable insights from clinicians in Edinburgh.
‘Within the ORCA project, extensive efforts were dedicated to advancing heralded single-photon sources. As for the ongoing collaboration with Colorado, Robbie Mears, a CPPM PhD student, has been diligently fabricating novel hollow core fibres. These fibres are intended to guide UV light, facilitating their incorporation into a device destined for deployment on one of Colorado's space probes. One of the key findings of the research collaboration is the methods for building improved fibres and incorporating them into biocompatible tools suitable for clinical use. This contributes to the company’s objective knowledge, which has enabled us to develop clinic-ready prototypes as well as the expertise to further develop them for market launch.’
Harry emphasised that the project's success is greatly influenced and propelled by the exceptional expertise of the University research facility.
‘The professional development and growth of the research project were significantly enhanced by the invaluable expertise provided by the University research facility. Personally engaging in the practical aspects of our work has instilled a profound sense of purpose and pride in our craftsmanship in me. Through developing these tools, I have gained extensive knowledge in engineering rigour, quality management, and establishing connections with industrial suppliers. These skills are indispensable in creating a market-ready product.
‘The University's research facility played a crucial role in the development of innovative "stack and draw" techniques, drawing inspiration from methods initially devised for photonic crystal fibres. This expertise was instrumental in constructing the enhanced imaging fibres that we currently employ in our flagship product. Undoubtedly, these fibres represent a pivotal element that significantly contributes to the ongoing success and advancement of the entire project.’
Meeting challenges and finding inspiration
Harry and Dr James Stone found inspiration and began designing specific fibres and tools. However, this was just the beginning. They needed to face the challenges and overcome them.
‘Dr Stone and I have been blessed with several moments of inspiration that sparked our journey to design specific fibres and tools. However, what followed was a demanding and arduous path, requiring relentless effort. We tirelessly iterated on the design, incorporating valuable feedback from Edinburgh, enhancing every subsequent version by rectifying any flaws that surfaced, while also incorporating new features or making subtle adjustments to better serve the end users in the clinic. Throughout this journey, we remained dedicated to our goal, continuously striving to refine and perfect our creations.’
A mutually beneficial partnership
‘The partnership between Prothea Technologies and the University has yielded remarkable benefits for both parties,' says Harry.
'The University has witnessed a notable boost in its research reputation, thanks to the publications stemming from this collaboration, while Prothea Technologies has gained a significant advantage by acquiring the patents generated during these research projects, thereby fortifying and expanding its intellectual property portfolio.
'By leveraging the exceptional capabilities of the specialised Fibre Fabrication Facility, the company has gained a competitive edge, streamlining the development of cutting-edge optics. Additionally, the joint effort has led to the creation of a med-tech start-up, which has made a valuable contribution to the University's Research Excellence Framework (REF) score.
‘Prothea Technologies has secured office and laboratory space at the University to establish a dedicated branch specialising in optical fibre technology. By using this facility, we have gained exclusive access to the optical fibre drawing towers, allowing us to rent time for fibre manufacturing that plays a pivotal role in our products.
'Currently, these products are undergoing rigorous clinical trials, with a specific emphasis on meeting the demands of the medical technology market. This strategic collaboration not only enables Prothea Technologies to achieve significant cost savings but also empowers us to leverage the invaluable resources provided by the University.’