Background

In Ireland in 2016 there were 2.5 million radiographs recorded on the national database.
There is approximately one radiograph taken per three members of the population in the EU & US.
Globally there are more than 2.4 billion radiographs taken annually.

When taking a clinical x-ray image (radiograph) it is necessary to mark the right or left side of a patient with a physical marker. Radiographic makers are overwhelmingly non-disposable and are used for successive patients, leaving patients at risk of hospital-acquired infections (HAI’s). HAI’s can result in very serious healthcare problems for the patient and are extremely financially costly for hospitals.

Technology Overview

80% of users rarely or never clean reusable markers
92% of reusable markers are contaminated
The annual cost of fighting HAIs in the UK is estimated at >£1bn

CombiMark is an innovative single-use disposable marker that is highly cost-effective, significantly reducing the risk HAIs spreading via radiographic marker ().

Stage of Development

CE marked. Meets the requirements of the EU Medical Device Regulations 2020.

Benefits

A one-year supply of CombiMark markers in a medium-sized hospital (~100,000 units) will cost less than managing a single case of a HAI such as MRSA.
Manufactured from safe and low-cost materials.
Innovative & patent-pending technology that is sustainable, utilises low-impact manufacturing techniques and ethically disposable.

Applications

The first iteration of this product is being designed specifically for use in clinical healthcare settings.

Extended applications are possible within zoology, food production, art conservation and other fields that generate radiographs.

Opportunity

Funding
Available to License

CombiMark: Reducing Preventable Harm to Patients

Patents

IP Status

Seeking