The NIHR Brain Injury MedTech Co-operative is delighted to announce the winners of the Seedcorn Competition 2021.

This competition has been established to support early development of novel technology-based solutions applicable to the brain injury pathway, from prevention of the initial acute event through to longer-term rehabilitation. The Seedcorn awards of up to £10,000 aim to support proposals that are led by Academic Institutions, NHS Trusts, Third Sector Organisations and Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SMEs). In addition, it fosters collaborative projects that have a near term clinical impact or the potential to secure further substantial funding after proof of principle has been established.

Winners of the Seedcorn Competition 2021:

  • Explainable artificial intelligence based on magnetic resonance imaging for precision treatment of glioblastoma, Mr Chao Li, University of Cambridge
  • Towards routine objective measurement of physical activity in patients hospitalised after a stroke, Mr Peter Hartley, Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • Testing the risk compensation hypothesis – does protective headgear promote aggressive play, Ms Judith McMinn, Rezon Ltd
  • Feasibility study for a coagulation tracking app, Ms Ellie Edlmann, University of Plymouth

 Our newly awarded 2021  competition winners will add to the Brain MIC portfolio of supported projects from 2018, 2019 and 2020: 

  • Delivering of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy following concussion (feasibility study), Mr Aimun Jamjoom, University of Edinburgh
  • Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for Rapid Stratification of Head Injured Patients, Dr Paul Brennan, University of Edinburgh
  • Prediction of aggressive outbursts in traumatic brain injury patients using machine learning analysis of remotely acquired physiological and environmental  data, Dr Lucia Li, Imperial College London
  • Detection of prodromal dementia symptoms in former professional footballers, Dr Michael Grey, University of East Anglia
  • Development of wearable electronic sleeve for self-management of stroke rehabilitation, Dr Kai Yang, Etexsense Ltd
  • THAT’S ITT! (Take Home Attention Training for Stroke, Integrating Technology into Treatment), Dr Polly Peers, University of Cambridge
  • Feasibility Study of a Virtual Reality Telerehabilitation Programme for Stroke patients in the community, Mrs Nicky Ellis, Hobbs Rehabilitation
  • External Cranial Plate Project, Dr Harry Mee, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • BISP (Brain Injury Sensory Prosthetic) Investigating usability of a wearable, Mr Szczepan Orlowski, Animorph Co-operative
  •  Investigating a portable-led virtual reality platform for assessment and rehabilitation of hemispatial neglect: a usability study, Dr Stephanie Rossitt, University of East Anglia 
  • Mobile app for delivery of cognitive behavioural therapy following concussion, Mr Aimun Jamjoom, University of Edinburgh
  •  Weareable Neurotechnology for EEG based Awareness Detection, Communication and Technology Interaction in Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness, Prof Damien Coyle, Ulster University
  • TOPS-Y: Adapting and piloting an online problem-solving intervention for young children with brain injury, Dr Anna Adlam, University of Exeter
  •  Selective brain temperature management after Traumatic Brain Injury – a preliminary study to support the application to i4i funding, Dr Andrea Lavinio, University of Cambridge
  •  Evaluation of stroke patient’s user acceptance and functional responsiveness to vibratory stimulation by active insoles in standing and walking, Dr Leif Johanseen, University of East Anglia
  • Novel remote follow-up technology in neurotrauma (PROMPT), Mr Brandon Smith, University of Cambridge
  • Revolutionary Assessment for concussion in sports: Investigation of the Precision finger grip to support PItchside Diagnosis of mild Concussion: RAPID-C, Dr Genevieve Williams, University of Exeter
  • Implementation of machine learning to facilitate Brain Lesion Analysis and Segmentation Tool using Computed Tomography in traumatic brain injury (Implement BLAST-CT), Dr Virginia Newcombe, University of Cambridge
  • Feasibility study of an in-situ brain-chemistry monitoring optical probe, Dr Farah Alimagham, University of Cambridge
  • Meeting the neurorehabilitation need for kinematic measures of everyday movement using novel motion tracking (Biokido): validity and test-retest reliability, Professor Valerie Pomeroy, University of East Anglia

This portfolio is to meet with the needs outlined in the Unmet Need Directory.