Pressure laboratory

More Information

About the Pressure laboratory

We are a purpose-built laboratory designed for evaluating medical and consumer products. We are based at Southampton General Hospital.

We evaluate products using computation modelling, physical models and volunteer testing.

Our specialist facilities include bespoke testing laboratories and access to clinical research facilities at the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility (WTCRF). These let us carry out patient testing in a controlled environment under clinical governance. 

We have 3 main laboratories:

  • biomechanical laboratory
  • biochemistry laboratory
  • environmental chamber 

We use the biomechanical lab for physical models and human testing. The biochemistry lab allows us to use biomarker and tissue models to explore changes in skin and soft tissue properties.

Highlights include

Facilities available to researchers include:

  • testing space for evaluating medical and consumer products 
  • CE marked dermatology tools and bespoke equipment to monitor skin health
  • imaging facilities for optical coherence tomography, near infrared lymphatic imaging and thermal imaging
  • cell models and biomarker analysis
  • physical sensors to measure force, pressure, temperature and humidity

Technical specification

We have a wide range of high-precision equipment and sensors.

Physical and biophysical sensors

These include sensors for:

  • pressure
  • microclimate temperature and humidity
  • transcutaneous monitoring of O2 and CO2
  • trans-epidermal water loss
  • skin pH
  • hydration
  • erythema, etc.

Imaging

Our imaging facilities include:

  • infra-red thermal cameras
  • laser doppler imaging (Moor Instruments)
  • Optical Coherence Tomography (VivoSight) system

Biomarkers evaluation in sweat and sebum

We assess these using:

  • protein assays
  • cell culture and microscopy

White-light scanning

We also have 3D white light scanners for on-contact metrology. These leverage white light to produce highly accurate measurements of skin-device interactions for FI modelling.

Pressure Lab

Contact us

Get in touch to find out more about our facility and how we might be able to work with you.
Level A, Room AA97, South Academic Block (MP11), Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD
We’re open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 UK time.