According to the International Diabetes Federation, there are more than 240 million people worldwide with diabetes, a number expected to grow to close to 400 million by 2025. The lifetime risk of someone with diabetes developing a foot ulcer is thought to be as high as 25 percent, and it is believed that every 30 seconds someone in the world loses a lower limb due to diabetes.
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of infection in diabetic foot ulcers has a significant impact on amputation rates. However, diagnosis of foot ulcers currently relies on expert clinical judgment and use of decades-old microbiological techniques.
In 2008, ITI Scotland announced it would invest £7.9m over three and a half years in the development of an advanced wound care technology platform. The ultimate goal was to develop a point-of-care diagnostic platform that could be readily applied to aid the diagnosis and monitoring of chronic wound infection, both in clinical and community environments. Specifically, diabetes-related wounds were recognized as a primary target for application.
To assess the market opportunity for a point of care diabetic foot ulcer diagnostic platform, ITI Scotland commissioned Strategyn UK to apply its Outcome-Driven Innovation methodology.
Read or download this case-study to discover how my team helped ITI to drive ahead confidently with its research and development program. It is now on target to deliver a revolutionary new approach to chronic wound care management.
Download Strategyn UK Chronic Wound Care Case Study June 2010
