PolyPhotonix recently won the prestigious IChemE Innovative Product of the Year Award for the development of the revolutionary Noctura 400® Sleep Mask.
The Noctura 400® is worn during sleep hours and treats Diabetic Retinopathy, one of the most common causes of blindness in the western world. The mask delivers a precise dose of light therapy during a patient’s normal hours of sleep. It comes in two parts – a plastic “Pod” part, which is inserted into a soft cushioned Fabric Mask. The Pod contains the light sources which, when worn, emits light into the eyes through closed eyelids. The treatment is non-invasive and the mask is programmed to administer the correct dose of light each night as part of a continuing therapy.
The Noctura 400® will revolutionise the treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy. There are currently two commonly used treatments. One involves frequent intraocular injections directly into the eye, this can be very unpleasant, and currently costs in excess of £10,000 per eye per year. The other is a laser treatment that effectively cauterises the affected and damaged blood vessels in the macula; the treatment is not permanent and only delays the inevitable progress of the disease, normally this treatment is only performed a small number of times on a patient. The Noctura 400® treatment is provided at a fraction of the cost and creates the opportunity to provide affordable treatment to the millions who are affected across the globe.
The ICHemE Awards provide a platform to recognise and reward chemical engineering innovation and excellence. The programme celebrates both team and individual achievement across every aspect of the chemical and process industries. The innovative product award recognises the best product originating from the process industries to be manufactured commercially after July 2012 demonstrating both innovation and a social, commercial, safety and/or environmental benefit.
The Institution of Chemical Engineers is the global professional membership organisation for people with relevant experience or an interest in chemical engineering. Founded in 1922 as a professional institution for chemical and process engineers, IChemE has grown to its current status of over 40,000 members across 120 countries.
Richard Kirk, CEO of PolyPhotonix added: “PolyPhotonix are proud to have won the IChemE Innovative Product of the Year Award. The past winners of the award have been outstanding entries so to have PolyPhotonix is their company provides recognition for the hard work that the team has put into creating a revolutionary therapy that will transform lives. The work undertaken by PolyPhotonix and CPI demonstrates world class innovation from the UK. It is proof that small companies can provide game changing value for the UK manufacturing sector if they are able to think outside the box and innovate. The continuing support that we have received from CPI has proved invaluable in our development. Working with CPI we have been able to take a research idea and transform it into a revolutionary healthcare product in less than five years. Working outside of a technology innovation centre would have taken us at least twelve to fifteen years.”