New Innovation launched to help those suffering from phantom limb pain.
Mirror therapy is gaining a strong reputation as an effective tool for alleviating phantom limb pain and also helping rehabilitation of patients suffering from an inability to move a limb following a stroke. Doctors in Scotland have revolutionised the way mirror therapy is used by creating the Prism Glasses.
Dr. Jonathan Bannister, a Consultant in Anaesthesia and Pain Management in Ninewells Hospital, NHS Tayside and his colleague Dr. Glyn Walsh, a Senior Lecturer and Registered Optometrist from Glasgow Caledonian University came up with the idea to produce a device that would help patients suffering from Phantom Limb pain.
Phantom Limb Pain (PLP) is a common complication following amputation of a limb. It is considered a dysfunction of the sensory-motor control system. In normal circumstances, the brain sends motor signals to move the limb and receives sensory feedback that indicates that the limb is moving as instructed. In some circumstances the brain still tries to communicate with a missing limb. The discrepancy between the motor signals that the brain sends to move the limb and the sensory feedback that the brain receives results in the sensation of pain where the limb used to be, hence the name phantom limb pain.
Phantom limb pain has proved difficult to treat. In addition to pain killers, patients are offered what is known as mirror therapy. The patient places the intact limb in front of a mirror. The patient sees a reflection of the intact limb and is 'tricked' into believing that they are seeing an intact amputated limb. For example, a right handed amputee would see a reflection of their left arm at the position of the right arm, thus creating the illusion of the presence of the right arm even though the right arm has been amputated.
Dr. Bannister and Dr. Walsh recognised the difficulties of using competing products or mirrors and set about designing a product that was fully portable and suitable for both arm and leg amputations.
The Prism Glasses, by virtue of their size, realistic optical illusion and creativity encourage more frequent therapy and a better chance of a speedy recovery to take place at home. The functions that can be performed are more natural, compared to alternative products, and the Prism Glasses have applications in other neurological conditions such as stroke, chronic regional pain syndrome, visual neglect syndrome and potentially dyslexia.
Dr. Bannister and Dr. Walsh worked with Scottish Health Innovations Ltd (SHIL) for help to turn their ideas in to reality. SHIL is the organisation set up to help NHS Scotland employees develop new products that improve patient care whilst maximising the revenue generated is returned to the NHS and inventor. SHIL had a commercial version of the glasses manufactured and has launched the product.
Inventor, Dr. Jonathan Bannister said, "Phantom limb pain can be excruciating for patients who have undergone amputations. I work to help patients manage that pain on a daily basis and i found it frustrating that 
there was no product that was easy for patients to use to help them in their own homes. This inspired the development of the Prism Glasses and I am delighted to see the final product ready to help patients cope with phantom limb pain."
Dr. Nigel McLean Senior Programme Manager at SHIL, "Working with the team behind the Prism Glasses has been a pleasure. The project is a brilliant example of how those working in the frontline of the NHS are in the very best position to help improve patient care"
Scottish Health Innovations Ltd (SHIL) works in partnership with NHS Scotland to protect and develop new innovations that come from health care professionals.
By developing these ideas, SHIL creates new products and technologies that will improve patient care and generate financial income for NHS Scotland.
SHIL services include:
Project Management
Market research
Sourcing of funding
Intellectual property protection
Sourcing of development partners
Spinout set up
Advice
The experienced business development team are handling a growing product portfolio of innovations on behalf of NHS Scotland. Ideas have come from a wide variety of health care professionals working throughout the NHS. SHIL works with the inventor, advising and guiding them through the product development process. SHIL may also assis in protecting the idea and identifying external partners for design, manufacture and distribution.
SHIL is involved in the development of both complex and simple innovations. Many ideas that will make a real difference to the NHS, its staff and patients, evolve from staff identifying better ways to provide patient care.
With many more products in the pipeline, the SHIL portfolio represents the cutting edge of the healthcare emanating from Scotland's Health Board regions.
For further information please contact Helen Corner
Tel: 0141 248 7334
This article was taken from the Blesmag, Winter 2009 (Blesma British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association)