The pHill project has won the award for best innovative medical device in the framework of the subject Introduction to Medical Devices and their Design by students on the bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. The winning team consists of the students Olga Capmany, Natalia Castillo, Maria Fisa, Ona Grau, Berta Padilla, Anna Pellisé, Maria Pujol and Paula Serra.

In this subject, students identify a need in the clinical sector and propose a technical solution that may consist of both a physical device and software or a combination of the two solutions. This year, for the first time, the UPF Board of Trustees has awarded a prize of 5,000 euros to the best project, so that it can follow a development plan and come to fruition.

“For a couple of months, students devise a medical device in response to a clinical need, analyse regulatory, intellectual and commercial property, and business issues, perform concept tests, and prepare a proposal for future development to be eligible for a competitive prize”, explains Antoni Ivorra, subject coordinator and professor of the Department of Information and Communication Technologies (DTIC)

They have designed an innovative medical device that provides an alternative to current pHmetry. pHill consists of an oesophageal pH sensor that does not require the use of a probe and, therefore, contributes to patient comfort.

“We set out to develop an easy-to-use, convenient and practical technology, both for the patient and for the physicians, in order to detect and monitor gastroesophageal diseases”, the students explain. They have designed an innovative medical device that provides an alternative to current pHmetry. pHill consists of an oesophageal pH sensor that does not require the use of a probe and, therefore, contributes to patient comfort.

“We hope that the award will help the pHill team to take their project beyond the academic field for the benefit of patients and society in general”, Antoni Ivorra comments. In addition, the prize includes the support and advice of the Innovation Unit - UPF Business Shuttle (UI-UPFBS) and direct participation in UI-UPFBS training and entrepreneurship promotion programmes such as the Start-UPFlama and/or the Xplorer programme. In addition, if the students continue their research career at UPF, they will also, with their project, be able to access the programme From Science to the Market.

“The realization of this work has brought us closer to a possible professional future. It has also made us aware of everything we have learned over the years, as the project required knowledge of different areas worked on during the degree”, the students explain. In reference to what the award has meant they say: “this opportunity gives us the impetus to keep the project going and motivation for our future careers as biomedical engineers. We are very grateful that the University is committed to students’ projects and that resources are provided to continue developing them”.

“The realization of this work has brought us closer to a possible professional future. It has also made us aware of everything we have learned over the years, as the project required knowledge of different areas worked on during the degree”

The selection was made by a panel of experts on innovation and ‘bioentrepreneurs’, people who have created or are creating startup companies or spinoffs in the same sector. It was comprised of Ignasi Belda (CEO of MiWEndo Solutions), Núria Brunet i Garcia (coordinator of Knowledge Transfer programme at UPF), Ignasi Heras (co-founder and managing partner of SeedLink Ventures), Javier Jiménez (CEO and founder of NewBorn Solutions), and Antoni Riu (director and co-founder of Galgo Medical).