Public Lecture: Against the flow

16 October 2009

Local people will have the chance to find out about the technology for managing incontinence at a public lecture at the University of Bath on Friday 23 October.

Urinary incontinence undermines the quality of life of millions of men and women – young and old.

For them managing the risk of discovery through damp patches and tell-tale odours can be daily challenges that erode self-esteem, social confidence and workplace productivity.

In this lecture Professor Alan Cottenden, from University College London, will describe recent work to understand and define user needs, identify the shortcomings of existing products, tackle core science and engineering problems and develop improved designs.

Professor Cottenden said: “When a complete cure is not achievable, delivering the best quality of life possible through management and effective technology is a goal just as worthy of strenuous efforts as attempts at a cure.

“Developing improved continence products is not a popular choice among those seeking to make their mark in academia, industry or the clinical world. Nevertheless, a small band of scientists and engineers are tackling the problems and incontinence technology has progressed significantly in recent years.”

Professor Cottenden developed an interest in incontinence technology at Sussex University. In 1984 he moved to University College London to start a new collaboration, the multi-disciplinary Continence & Skin Technology Group.

A major focus of recent years has been to develop models to facilitate the design of more effective products based on a sound understanding of the interaction between urine and absorbent materials.

This is the 41st annual lecture given by The Bath Institute of Medical Engineering (BIME), the lecture will take place on Friday 23 October at the University of Bath, Lecture Theatre 8 West 1.1 at 7.00pm. There will be a sherry reception and exhibition in the Claverton rooms at 6.30pm.

Tickets are free and are available from: Mrs Stephanie Marshall, Events & Ceremonies Office. Tel: 01225 383659 Email: s.j.marshall@bath.ac.uk

Bookmark with:

What is this?

We are one of the UK's leading universities with an international reputation for quality research and teaching. Our Mission is to deliver world class research and teaching, educating our graduates to become future leaders and innovators, and benefiting the wider population through our research, enterprise and influence. Our courses are innovative and interdisciplinary and we have an outstanding record of graduate employment.