New medical cooling technology from Warwick proving a hit with the NHS

The technology can be used to keep hospital patients’ injuries cool by lowering the temperature of damaged tissue.

Hilotherm works by sending cool water from a standalone device to a ‘cuff’, which is placed on the affected area of the body.

As the temperature of the cuff remains constant, it is more effective than simply placing ice on a patient.

Hilotherm has also been proven to cut recovery times from both elective and urgent surgery, and reduces the level of painkilling drugs, such as morphine.

Tony Ley, of Hilotherapy UK, said: “The concept is simple but is very, very effective. A cuff is placed over the affected area of the body – that can be anything from someone arriving at A&E with a cheek fracture to someone who has just had a knee replacement.”

University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire is among the first NHS hospitals to buy the technology along with Chelsea & Westminster, Gloucester, Sheffield, York, Leeds and Bradford.

Many private hospitals have also invested in the product and it is attracting interest from sports clubs around the country.

Hilotherapy UK is the UK distributor for a German company, which developed the technology and is the only company licensed to sell the product in the UK and Ireland.

The firm moved to the University of Warwick Science Park to make use of its flexible space and also to work more closely with the University itself on developing further products.

Tony Ley added: “We are delighted to be here at the University of Warwick Science Park. The facilities are excellent and we do see several potential new avenues for the product, which we would like to work on with the University.”