Enabling self-administered healthcare technology

Case study: Enabling self-administered healthcare technology through Multiple Perspective Problem Framing 

Staff: Stuart English, Rafiq Elmansy, Sarah Morehead

Diabetic retinopathy, a degenerative eye-condition affecting all type 1 diabetics and 60% of type 2, is the leading cause of blindness among working age adults. To support those affected by this condition, Northumbria University’s development of a Multiple Perspective Problem Framing (MPPF) approach provides a design-led innovation process to help deliver economically sustainable, self-administered healthcare. Application of the MPPF approach was integral to industrial partner PolyPhotonix Ltd.’s production of the Noctura 400 sleep mask, a new treatment for diabetic retinopathy. This non-invasive home-based treatment has produced substantial improvements in patient sight and wellbeing.

The Noctura 400’s success has also increased PolyPhotonix’s annual turnover by GBP450,000 and enabled the manufacturer to significantly expand operations, creating 13 new jobs, and attracting external investment totalling GBP18,000,000. Noctura 400 has been patented around the world including Europe, China, USA, Mexico, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Canada. MMPF also shaped the practices of the sustainable healthcare technology sector at the UK’s National Centre for Healthcare Photonics and contributed to GBP8,300,000 being secured from the Local Growth Fund to establish the Centre.