Technology Park-based VibraQ Corporation Ltd is seeking $1.5 million to fund development and commercialisation of its planetary electric motor technology.
VibraQ managing director Barry Hobson said recent clinical trials at Flinders University Medical Centre had produced an outstanding result in achieving a statistically significant outcome in the treatment of lymphoedema, or swelling in the parts of the body due to inadequate functioning of the lymphatic system.
The PEM motor produces controllable vibrations and mixing technology for the life-sciences, manufacturing, resources and domestic and personal equipment markets.
Unlike existing shaker systems, which convert electrical energy into either circular or linear motion through gears, weights, bearings and belts, the PEM system employs electro-magnetism to create an almost infinite range of digitally controlled planar patterns and vibrational frequencies.
VibraQ believes the technology has wide-ranging applications, but its initial focus is on the high-growth medical devices sector, specifically the treatment of lymphoedema and extending the shelf life of stored blood platelets.
The company’s directors include former Santos and Normandy Mining business development manager, Norm Taylor, as executive chairman and Andy van Kann, managing director of Kinetic Pty Ltd, as non-executive director.
Mr Hobson said the patented PEM technology could also reshape a substantial portion of the existing world laboratory agitator and mixer equipment markets.
He said the company was confident of its ability to assist the blood storage industry, which currently discards platelets worth about $US450 million a year due to their five-day shelf life.
VibraQ is looking to commercialise the lymphoedema technology with a 2007 target for regulatory approvals and then shift focus to soft tissue diseases and industrial applications, according to Mr Hobson.
