Designing Science Ltd is a product design consultancy focused on med-tech innovation in the university and start-up sector. As a virtual network of seasoned design professionals we are able to take on challenging design tasks from concept to manufacturing. It is led by Patrick Hall who has over 30 years’ experience in product design and a long track record in medical innovation.

Projects

Most of our projects are not in the public domain, however the Bubble PAPR, a collaboration with Manchester Foundation Trust and Manchester University, has been licensed to a UK PPE company and will be on the market soon. The project seeks to develop a low-cost Powered Air-Purifying Respirator for use in infection control, a direct response to the Covid crisis. See the project page.


GIFT - Guided Insertion of Tracheostomy tubes, a collaboration with Manchester University Foundation Trust and Manchester University, to improve the safety of bedside tracheostomy tube insertion. DSL won CPI funding to begin work on the technical file and have initiated design work of a clinical prototype.

SEA CtV – An i4i funded collaboration between Manchester Foundation Trust and Manchester Metropolitan University to develop a device to help tracheostomy patients to speak. Designing Science is the design partner, undertaking user research, design and prototyping to develop clinical prototypes. A prototype system is currently undergoing a clinical evaluation.
NeuroCONCISE Ltd – Supporting this start-up at Ulster University to develop a design for a self-contained wearable EEG. As well as product design and prototyping, Designing Science led the creation of a technical file for CE marking. We are now supporting fund-raising for the development of a medical device.

Past projects include:

Trinity College Dublin - Business strategy and KOL research for novel material.

Trinity College Dublin - Business strategy and KOL research for novel airway product
IndigoDX - Business strategy and user research for Teeside University based start-up

Sheffield Hallum University – Commercialisation strategy for novel exercise equipment.

Dublin City University - Inclusivity system for museums and galleries.
Ancon Ltd – Multiple projects to prototype product concepts.


Services

  • Innovation - Mentoring and supporting emerging start-ups. Workshops to promote a culture of innovation.
  • Feasibility - Helping universities to assess market potential and route to market.
  • Design - Turning ideas into commercial devices.
  • Grant applications - Supporting applications for NIHR i4i, InnovateUK and Biomedical Catalyst
  • Visualisation - Creating a design concept to communicate the value of your technology to funders, partners and other stakeholders.
  • Prototyping - For proof-of-principle, design evaluation and patient trials.
  • Manufacturing specification - Drawings and 3D CAD to specify the design for manufacture.
  • Supply chain - Finding manufacturing partners.

Patrick Hall – Managing Director


Patrick has over 30 years’ experience in product development. For 8 years he was Development Director at Maddison, a med-tech product design company. He also spent 7 years working for IDEO in both London and Palo Alto.

He has worked in a broad range of industries including medical devices, life sciences, FMCG, business electronics and industrial products. He has a deep understanding of how products are transformed from ideas into reality and how to manage projects.