Imperial innovator in healthcare technology wins global award

Professor Chris Toumazou talks about using semiconductors to improve healthcare <em>- News</em>

Monday 10 August 2009
By Colin Smith

An academic who played a key role in developing the first cochlear implant, which can improve hearing in people who are profoundly deaf or very hard of hearing, has been recognised for his work at an international awards ceremony.

Professor Christofer Toumazou, founder of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London, was honoured at the World Technology Summit and Awards 2009 gala event, held in New York, on Tuesday 23 July, 2009.

Professor Toumazou received the 2009 World Technology Award in the Health and Medicine category. He was recognised for his work in adapting semiconductor technology, which is used in electronic devices such as computers, to improve people’s health. Past winners of the award include Craig Venter for his work in understanding the genetic make-up of humans in the Human Genome Project and Sir Tim Berners-Lee who invented the world-wide web.

Recently, Professor Toumazou has been demonstrating how silicon chip technology can be used to mimic or replace biological functions. His group is currently developing an implantable silicon chip for patients with Type 1 diabetes, which mimics the role of beta cells inside the pancreas in order to help patients to regulate their insulin.

He and his team have also developed a digital plaster that enables doctors to carry out round-the-clock observations of their patients. This means that patients can have vital signs such as ECG, body temperature and respiration monitored remotely, while they recuperate in the comfort of their own home, instead of in hospital.

Professor Toumazou’s group have also created a new silicon chip device that should enable doctors to test their patient’s DNA from a saliva swab. They could then determine whether their patient's have a high or low tolerance to a particular prescription medication, and ensure that they are  given the most effective treatment.

In the video, Professor Toumazou talks about some of the inventions that he and his team are working on, and what it means for him to win a World Technology Award.