Technologies available for licencing

EasiSeat

EasiSeat is an innovative, multi-adjustable seating system for disabled adults developed by occupational therapy researchers at the University’s Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Institute. The unique design of the seating system can be customised allowing adjustments to be made that meet the changing needs of disabled adults as they grow or as their medical needs change, providing life-long provision. The development of the seating system stemmed from over 10 years of research related to the seating and pressure interface needs of disabled people. OpenUlster is actively seeking a partner for the manufacturing and distribution of the Easi Seating System.

VisiDose

VisiDose is a hand held monitoring device with visual cue to assist in training for the use of an asthma inhaler thereby improving the overall patient compliance and efficacy of treatment.

Open Sandbox

Open Sandbox is a platform for remote 3D Visualization of real world architectural projects using 3D virtual worlds environments and project management software. Architectural projects are modelled in a 3D virtual worlds environment allowing client presence and immediate feedback/approval at the build site and wiki-like structures for project management. Open Sandbox may be implemented using parallel development models embracing both open source and commercial technologies.

Working Voice

Working Voice is a digitally animated vocal training software programme aimed at increasing an individual’s awareness of vocal health.

Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a widespread and increasing neurodegenerative disease for which there is currently no cure. It is estimated that there are approximately 5 million people in Europe living with it. Researchers from Ulster have developed a proprietary approach that addresses the treatment of AD and other neurological disorders through a mechanism of action differentiated from current therapies. The approach employs a series of promising GIP analogues with lead compounds that cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and activate neuronal incretin receptors.

Modified Cholecystokinin (CCK-8) Analogues for Treatment of Obesity and/or Type 2 Diabetes.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a neuropeptide hormone found in the brain and secreted from gut endrocrine cells that was originally identified by its ability to stimulate gall bladder contraction. CCK is known to play a significant role in many physiological processes, including regulation of feeding and insulin secretion. Research at UU has shown that N-terminally modified CCK-8 analogues possess an enhanced ability to reduce voluntary food intake when compared with native CCK-8 with an extended duration of action and efficacy in a variety of animal models.

Trans-modal skin/body marker

This technology is a trans-modal body marker designed to assist imaging modalities in clinical practice and fields associated with anthropometrics.

Drug Dosage Monitor

This technology is a hand held monitoring device with visual cue to assist in training for the use of the inhaler, thereby improving the overall patient compliance and efficacy of treatment. Ongoing development with embedded systems technology is aimed at measuring and recording the level of asthma medication (in vapour form) being inhaled during the administration process and over a defined time period.

GIP Peptides for treatment of diabetes, obesity and related metabolic disease

Ulster’s peptide analogues have been evaluated in a variety of animal models for obesity and diabetes, demonstrating enhanced bioactivity and resistance to DPPIV. Once daily injection leads to significant decreases in non-fasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin, as well as improved glucose tolerance, insulin secretion and/or insulin sensitivity.

Insulin-releasing human pancreatic beta cell lines

By adapting a similar approach previously utilised in the generation of rodent insulin-secreting cells, Ulster has produced a series of immortal human B-cells with human ductal epithelial PAC-1 cells. The cells can provide an unlimited source of human insulin for basic biochemical studies and pharmacological screening.

Toxin independent biomarker for detection of clostridium difficile

University of Ulster has developed a unique method for C. difficile testing which can be utilised for the development of a highly sensitive diagnostic test for the rapid, low cost, routine screening of CDI in healthcare settings.

HidInImage

HidInImage enables the encryption and hiding of secret information (text or images) inside images using steganography techniques. Information is hidden imperceptibly such that it cannot be detected by the human eye. Ulster’s stenographic embedding technique provides high level data protection and is robust to image/data compression.

Integrated Evacuated Concentrating PV Glazing

The technology is a combination of evacuated glazing panel with integrated PV concentrator. A thin layer of photovoltaic cells made of thin film PV cells, mono-crystalline cells, or transparent/semi-transparent or flexible PV cells is placed between the concentrating and the third glass panes at the bottom of the lenses.

A Brain-Computer Interface-General User Interface (BCI-GUI) and Games Controller: CircleTimeTech™

BCI technology enables non-muscular communication but provides a limited communication bandwidth. CircleTimeTech™ increases the information transfer rate by providing the user with up to 3 options for a single motor imagery command, allowing up to 12 options for 4 motor imagery commands. This is achieved through a range of rotating circles and the configuration can adapt automatically to suit the user and application and has applications in rehabilitation and video games.

Glucose-responsive insulin secreting BRIN-BD11 cell line

University of Ulster has developed a clonal pancreatic cell line, known as BRIN-BD11 that is stable and glucose-responsive. BRIN-BD11 is a hybrid cell line formed by the electrofusion of a primary culture of NEDH rat pancreatic islets with RINm5F (a cell line derived from a NEDH rat insulinoma).

These cells possess a fully functional glucose-sensing mechanism and have been shown to exhibit appropriate secretory function and immortality providing for an optimized experimental model for the study of the physiology and patho-physiology of the pancreatic cell.

Augmented Reality Browser for iPhone "Rediscovery"

Rediscovery is an Augmented Reality Browser that layers digitally archived material specific to a location, to the real scene. The aim of the technology is to allow visitors to sites of historical and/or cultural importance to engage visually and perceptually with monuments and events that have long since been eroded by time. A pilot has been produced for visitors to the Titanic quayside.

Use of FKBL gene to identify a cause of infertility

University of Ulster has identified differences between patients with azoospermia. These differences are novel and lie in a specific gene called FKBPL, allowing for the identification of infertile males using DNA alone. This technology comprises a genetic marker that can form the basis of, or component of, a genetic test kit.

Middleware for games developers "Fluid"

Fluid is a graphical user interface middleware solution for the computer games industry. Fluid provides interoperability services between development tools, enabling artists to the exploit the design capability afforded by Expression Blend to create user interfaces that can then be seamlessly integrated into game prototypes.

Streaming audio over wireless enhancement "Similarity"

Similarity is a new way of improving the quality of audio being broadcast over any wireless medium based on the natural repetition of music in the genre of western tonal format. Ulster’s audio replacement system swaps audio presented to the listener between a live stream and previous sections of the same audio stored locally when dropouts occur.