Output details

Skin Marker

Magee was the principal investigator (85%) in this design-led research. He invented the concept, developed ideas, models, prototypes and study design, with expertise from the Faculties of Arts (Magee), Art, Design and the Built Environment (McClelland), and the schools of Health Sciences (Winder) and Biomedical Sciences (McCarron). The patent for the “Skin Marker” was published internationally (WO2010EP02814 20100507; GB20090007874 20090508; GB20090016099 20090914; WO2010127870 (A1); US2012059244 (A1)) recognised in its novelty and a materials transfer agreement (MTA) is on-going with one of the world’s leading manufacturers and market leaders of body markers, IZI Medical, USA, through the Office of Innovation. This is the pioneering marker visible in Moíre fringe 3D scanning. In addition it is visible in multiple settings of MRI, CT and CRT imaging as well as inhibiting photographic algorithmic identification. The project originated from Magee’s PhD thesis (2004-2009) which included a novel proposal for visualising and measuring human spine posture without the need of imaging modalities. In the RAE 2008 success of a spinal measurement method identifying the markers using photographic imagery was published (Arthur, K et al 2007). Initial funding supporting the development of this invention was secured in 2006 from Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) X-Faculty awards (£4K) and the Health Professionals Social Sciences (HPSS) Recognised Research. Post PhD, the multimodal developments occurred. In 2008, Proof of Principle award (£7.5K) and self-generated consultancy income developed the markers through a testing phase on MRI, CT and X-ray to a point of dialogue with external organisations. From 2009 to 2013 a series of tests were conducted, incorporating Biomedical Sciences expertise using these imaging modalities (at the University of Ulster, the Ulster spine centre and the Ulster Independent Clinic) towards refining the marker. A marketing assessment report was commissioned in 2009 (additional £2.5K). The Patent application was legally defended internationally since 2010 and has been designated Patent Granted (2013).