Gut monitoring device secures £1.6m for clinical studies
A Midlands medical technology company has secured £1.6m to evaluate a device designed to monitor gut health by analysing bowel sounds, with the aim of providing clinicians with objective data to support diagnosis and post-operative care.
Ademen Ltd has received funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to assess the safety and effectiveness of its acoustic gut monitoring technology in clinical settings.
The company says the device captures and analyses bowel activity patterns, offering a more consistent assessment of gut function than relying solely on patients' descriptions of symptoms such as pain, bloating or discomfort.
If successful, the technology could improve monitoring following surgery and, in the future, support earlier detection of abdominal conditions.
The NIHR-funded studies will run until November 2028 and will evaluate both patient safety and the reliability of the acoustic data generated by the system.
Ademen's technology originated as a digital stethoscope for the veterinary sector before the company adapted its acoustic analysis platform for human healthcare.
The move was supported through the Ignite incubation programme and alumni network at the University of Warwick Science Park, which provided mentoring and helped the company explore new commercial applications for the technology.
Alistair Foster, co-founder of Ademen, said the funding marks an important milestone for the company.
“For too long clinicians have had to rely on subjective descriptions and overcoming language barriers to assess gut health. Our device could change all that,” he said.
“To see our technology move from helping vets to potentially supporting doctors and patients in hospitals is incredibly exciting.”
The technology is intended to provide clinicians with measurable information on bowel activity, potentially reducing uncertainty during patient assessment and supporting more informed clinical decisions.
Dirk Schaefer, incubator manager at the University of Warwick Science Park, said the company demonstrated the value of adapting technology to address new markets.
“Ademen is a brilliant example of what can happen when start-ups adapt and listen to the market,” he said.
“The team came to us with really exciting technology and a lot of ambition. It is listening to advice from our business support team and fellow members of the Ignite Alumni Network that has helped them reach this position.”
Pic: Ademan director Vicky Yardley with Dirk Schaefer
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