Photonics

Optimised design

From the outset, we optimise your product design for manufacture by ensuring it can be realised in a cost-effective manner at a scale appropriate for your market application. Our quality management system allows us to develop high-grade products with our clients, while ensuring we demonstrate compliance to all relevant legislation. With our experience in the latest optical techniques and modelling software, we are able to design and produce advanced optical systems and integrate these into custom medical devices. 

Manufacture and scale-up assistance

We are able to provide additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping of your products. This allows the fast realisation of a concept, as well as low volume production for prototyping. Our facilities include a dedicated space for assembly and manufacture, allowing us to develop the manufacturing process and take you from prototype to finished product. By running a pilot manufacturing line, we can resolve any issues, produce products for clinical trials and market testing, and eventually help you transfer the process for mass manufacture.

Access to pre-clinical validation

Demonstration of compliance with relevant standards is an essential part of product development. We offer pre-compliance testing to meet medical device regulations and are also able to assist with the development and validation of your technology. We are also able to offer optical characterisation techniques, such as laser scanning confocal microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, multi-photon microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging. As well as UV, visible and IR spectroscopy. Our custom ionising radiation suite offers a flexible space for X‑ray testing and development, and our facilities are also set up for safe liquid radioisotope validation.

Commercialisation support

We understand that running a business is more than just developing a product. Our support guides you through to commercialisation by locating investment funds for business growth, co-writing bid proposals for research and development grants and assessing your business with our Innovation Integrator^®. We have strong links with regional and national healthcare networks, allowing us to clinically asses novel technology, assist in clinical trial planning and delivery, and find a clinical champion for your device. Our connections also allow us to study the health economic impact of your device and ensure it is compliant with all legislation, as well as guide you through the NICE evaluation process.

Capabilities for development and scale-up

With a combination of world-class facilities and industry relevant expertise, we work with partners to bring their innovative ideas to market sooner, with reduced risk. The National Healthcare Photonics Centre is the cornerstone of our photonics capability. Companies can work alongside CPI staff in state-of-the-art laboratories for optics, imaging, design, validation, prototyping, manufacture and sampling. From this flexible facility, clients can take up a number of services, including office space within the centre to co-develop products with our staff using our facilities.

CPI’s established complementary capabilities in formulation, flexible hybrid electronics, printable electronics, biotherapeutics and digital technology, provide a unique development environment.