Scottish Health Innovations Ltd
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New innovation launched to help those suffering from phantom limb pain6th November 2009Mirror 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 Ninewells Hospital, Dundee have revolutionised the way mirror therapy is used by creating the Prism Glasses.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 idea 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 launched the product this month. The glasses are available on-line at www.prismglasses.co.uk. 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.” 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” For further information please contact Head of Central Marketing, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Tel: 0141 248 7334 Mobile: 07919046555 This story has also appeared on the STV website, click here to view it. |
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