Solution to newborn deformity wins award
A MAXILLOFACIAL graduate who developed a new treatment for deformations of the ear while at MMU has won a regional healthcare business award.
Brian Bigmore and his colleague David Thompson who run Ear Splints Ltd were awarded the Innovation award at the Business Eye Healthcare Awards for Northern Ireland.
Brian is a 1st class honours Dental Technology graduate, who worked in the health profession for a number of years before returning to MMU to gain a Diploma in Professional Studies (Maxillofacial Prosthetics & Technology). He then returned again to carry out three years of research into the new ‘product’ graduating with a Masters by Research in 2013.
Studying under Chris Maryan and Dr Rebecca Taylor, Brian’s MSc thesis on the development of a new non-surgical treatment for the treatment of new-born babies with malformations of the ear, formed the basis for the service to parents offered by his company.
Solution
Between 3 and 6% of babies are born with ear deformities, and while most cases are benign and cause no hearing problems, they can be unsightly and pose a psychological impact. Many parents opt for expensive surgery once the child is of school age, but Brian and David have dedicated themselves to finding a early-intervention solution.
Their ear splint is both painless and practical. It is worn for 23 hours a day for several weeks and the baby is unaware of it.
“What can be seen as inconsequential at first, can be the cause of genuine distress as the child gets older and due to insecurity about their appearance, and we were determined to find a better option for parents.”
20 babies have so far had a 100% success rate from the treatment which is delivered through the 3fivetwo health group.
Brian also works at the Maxillofacial Laboratory at Ulster Hospital.
