Partners for Endoscopy, based in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of Endoscopy equipment and accessories, with every product they provide being suggested by, and designed to meet the needs of, qualified endoscopy clinicians.

Maintaining hygiene levels within healthcare settings is of paramount importance, with endoscopes and their constituent parts currently requiring thorough cleaning and stringent checking before they can be used again. This process is accompanied by significant time and financial costs, which is why Partners for Endoscopy is looking to develop new products which reduce these costs while maintaining high levels of hygiene.

Director Rob Hartley approached Keele University’s Business Bridge* programme to help in the development of their solution to this problem. “When using equipment such as endoscopes, clinicians needs to be 100% sure that their equipment is in perfect condition and that all avoidable risks are eliminated,” he said. “However, the devices currently available require a significant amount of cleaning and sterilisation, which comes with considerable time and cost implications.

“To solve these issues, we had the idea of creating new disposable endoscope components, but needed additional support in order to develop it further. Through a Business Bridge Innovation Voucher, we were able to secure the services of an external prototyping company who have taken the idea forward and allowed us to fine tune the design.

“Considering there are around one million endoscopic procedures carried out in the UK every year, we believe that this product has the potential to have a significant positive impact on healthcare resources and, thanks to Keele University, we are now much closer to making this a reality.”

‌Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent businesses can benefit from a range of specialist support and funding, more details of which are available through Keele University’s Business Gateway on 01782 733001 or by emailing business.gateway@keele.ac.uk.

*The Business Bridge project (ref: 32R16P00713) is part-funded from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the England 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme.