PhD Study : Development and evaluation of a medical device to monitor arthritis patients at home

Summary

​This project will build upon work over the last 3 years at Ulster University to develop a novel blood collection device, BloodTrackR. BloodTrackR is a smart internet of things (IoT) blood microsampling device designed for reliable home monitoring in healthcare and clinical trials. This project will build upon work over the last 3 years at Ulster University to develop a novel blood collection device, BloodTrackR. BloodTrackR is a smart internet of things (IoT) blood microsampling device designed for reliable home monitoring in healthcare and clinical trials. The aim of this project is to develop and evaluate a prototype device, which can monitor the condition of someone with arthritis at home. The proposal scope involves gathering feedback from key stakeholders as they test device and software versions over a finite development period. Toward the project end, a final version of the prototype will be assessed for conformity with medical device regulations and a plan to commercialise drafted.

The key aims and objectives of the project are:

Aim 1.Device UX and lab testing.  Device and software design ideas will be gathered from people living with arthritis, laboratory, clinical and industry partners. This will ensure the requirements of each user group are incorporated and tested over the course of the project. The stability of key analytes in the sample after transit and its ability to integrate into routine clinical lab sample processing will also be assessed. The PhD researcher will also perform a feasibility study of pharmacogenomic screening and longitudinal follow up by targeted analysis of SNPs associated with variable disease modifying (DMARD) drug metabolism.

Aim 2.Longitudinal device led data collation and analysis. Minimal electronic hardware will be designed in place of the existing printed circuit board design, which sends sample date and time data using internet of things (IoT) technology. The firmware (software used to run the device electronics) will be updated and a mobile phone app created to guide users through the sampling procedure and collect clinically meaningful data on disease activity and mental health at the time of sampling. The PhD researcher will collate and analyse longitudinal biological and clinical data as part of a pilot prospective study of home device use in a cohort of people living with arthritis.

Aim 3.Device regulatory certification. The final iteration of the device hardware and software will be evaluated to achieve CE certification or equivalent. This will allow unrestricted commercialisation and clinical trials of the device in UK and Europe.

The PhD researcher will play a key role in developing and maintaining a quality management system within required standards.

Novelty: This is the first known project in Europe to develop and evaluate a home blood sampling device for people with arthritis. The proposal is important because it develops a technology which delivers patient-centric (remote) home monitoring services that could be scaled up and/or used to manage other chronic conditions.

This research commenced 3 years ago, with a study that confirmed C-reactive protein could be reliably measured in dried blood spot samples, when compared to conventional venous blood samples2,3. Importantly this study also established that it was feasible for people with arthritis to take and send samples from home. The internal workings of the current device prototype (BloodTrackR) have been developed over the last two years.  This research is supported by funding from Versus Arthritis and has scope to develop a commercially viable product to help improve the lives of those living with musculoskeletal conditions.

The project also has full ethical approvals in place for user testing and lab based studies. Further ethical approval will be sought to perform a pilot longitudinal pharmacogenomic study (observational)

Please note: Applications for more than one PhD studentships are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living