A portable humidicrib, designed and developed in Toowoomba, is attracting world attention.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
State Development & Innovation, Tony McGrady
deve...@cabinet.qld.gov.au
--====----====----====----====----====----==

22/09/04

The device is used to transport premature and critically ill babies and has already been sold to hospitals around Australia.

State Development and Innovation Minister Tony McGrady, who inspected the system today, said this was another example of a local innovation proving Queensland really is the Smart State.

"The State Government assisted with a $28,000 dollar grant and I'm told without this money the system may not have been developed.

"Now Toowoomba company Mansell Neonatal Transport Equipment has sold 14 of these units across Australia and they're being used to transport about 120 critically ill babies a month.

"On top of that there is interest from the USA, UK, Singapore, Norway and Germany.

"It all started when Toowoomba Professor of Biomedical Engineering John Grant-Thomson was approached about a serious problem.

"The old units used to transport babies were clumsy and weighed between 140 to 170 kilograms causing back injuries to some emergency workers. And there were seven different systems in Australia.

"Professor Grant-Thomson called a meeting of Neonatology directors from Australia's hospitals, ambulance and emergency personnel, nurses and paramedics and after finding out what they wanted the Mansell Neocot was born.

"It weighs only 90 kilograms and comes with an electric lifter to save back injuries. It locks into place in any ambulance or emergency aircraft in Australia and the lighter weight means a mother can now fly with her sick baby, particularly in helicopters" Mr McGrady said.

Member for Toowoomba North, Kerry Shine MP said the Mansell Neocot was great news for Toowoomba.

"This is a great system that has taken off with some State Government assistance. Six jobs have been created in Toowoomba including technicians, welders and engineers and many more jobs will follow if the overseas interest turns into sales," Mr Shine said.

Media Contact:3224 4600