Ambicare News

Ambulight PDT Reaches Finals of International Design Awards

Ambicare Health has been shortlisted for the Index Design Awards, the world's largest monetary prize for design.

The Scottish developer of ambulatory light sources for medical and consumer healthcare applications has reached the finals of the Body category with its Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT) skin cancer treatment, Ambulight PDT. The ground-breaking technology is similar in appearance to a sticking plaster, but delivers light therapy 'on the move' to treat non-melanoma skin cancer.

The device has been selected by New Scientist as one of its leading contenders for the award.

Only 60 finalists were shortlisted from more than 1,000 entries, split across five categories: Body, Home, Work, Play and Community. Recognising designs that target and solve the challenges and problems of human life, the winners of each category will be announced on 2 September 2011 and awarded 100,000 Euros.

PDT treatment is less invasive than surgery and avoids the scarring associated with surgical removal of lesions, which can often require an in-patient hospital stay. Ambulight PDT enables a shift of treatment from hospitals to primary care, such as GP surgeries or local community based dermatologists.

Dr Ian Muirhead, CEO of Ambicare, said: "The design of the Ambulight PDT is critical to its success, as the innovative sticking plaster format is the first of its kind. The product offers a flexible means of delivering PDT for patients with small non-melanoma skin cancers, and our findings suggest its use may be associated with less pain than conventional photodynamic therapy.

"To be recognised by one of the most prestigious international design award schemes is testament to the years of research and planning which were invested in this pioneering treatment."

The INDEX Award finalists were selected by an international panel of designers, design scholars and thinkers, business people, and curators. All finalists will be displayed in the world touring INDEX: Award 2011 Exhibition premiering in Copenhagen, Denmark, in September 2011 before the five winning designs are awarded a 100,000 Euro prize in the Copenhagen opera house, Operaen, on 2 September 2011.

http://www.indexaward.dk/



27th June 2011