Australia’s Smartz Intelligent Diaper Wins 2022 Kerrin Rennie Australian Medical Technology Innovation Award
An Australian-developed intelligent diaper that enables aged care staff to manage incontinence and pressure injuries using electronic sensors has won the 2022 Kerrin Rennie Medical Technology Association Award (MTAA), which acknowledges the most exciting medical technology developments improving the quality of life.
The award was proudly accepted by Peta Jurd, Chief Commercial Officer. "The Smartz AG team are proud that their Australian technology is leading the world in providing a less intrusive and much more dignified way to manage incontinence with real time evidence based data".
The Smartz intelligent diaper is a low cost, cloud-based wearable technology that uses advanced sensors and analytics to deliver personalised and precise treatment for people with incontinence. The technology incorporates sensors to measure movement, temperature and additional data to provide detailed health data as well as warnings of pressure injuries and falls.
The sensor and software monitor diaper capacity in real time and send alerts when the product needs changing. This optimises the use of diapers and leads to significant savings in time and costs for carers, less product changes, reduced disposal and laundry costs.
Multiple clinical studies have confirmed it leads to an improvement in health outcomes, dignity and peace of mind for the wearer.
The Kerrin Rennie Award for Excellence In Medical Technology was established to recognise the innovative and extraordinary contribution of medical technology to improving health outcomes of Australians.
Smartz AG CEO Michael Spooner said, “It’s invigorating to have the medical technology community share in our excitement about Smartz and its positive impact on aged care. This award recognizes the profound significance of the platform in enhancing care where it is needed the most. It reinforces our confidence in our mission to improve the quality of life of millions.”
Mr Spooner said Smartz was created to address the major difficulties facing the Australian Federal Government and aged care providers in delivering quality service to the sector.
“Australia faces a mounting challenge to fill enormous care giver and nursing gaps and this new technology will help drive major efficiency and work satisfaction improvements. Importantly it is driving improvements in the quality of life and health for aged care recipients.”
Smartz is at the forefront of aged care automation and personalised patient care technologies. It gives carers a unique and personalized overview of each wearer’s condition, to improve the management of incontinence and maximize health outcomes.
About the Smartz™ platform
Smartz is a cloud-based technology, which transforms a traditional diaper into a connected medical device. Smartz delivers a vital step into the future of patient centred care and smart hygiene. Equipped with a lightweight, flexible printed sensor and reusable pod, a Smartz diaper enables remote monitoring of moisture, movement and temperature. Alerts are displayed through the app located on a chosen smart device with an intuitive dashboard delivering immediate, valuable and actionable information to caregivers. The complete solution has been developed in line with the highest security, safety and privacy standards.
Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated significant quantitative and qualitative benefits in improved care for patients and staff productivity benefits. The technology is approved for sale and marketing in Europe.
The company behind the technology, Smartz AG, is focused on delivering this world leading technology to global markets. The technology has been developed over the past decade and an investment of over $50 million. Smartz AG licenses its technology to the world’s leading diaper manufacturers, enabling them to rapidly and cost effectively transition traditional hygiene solutions to truly smart and connected devices. The transition of a traditional diaper into a smart device is extremely rapid, does not require capital expenditure, nor does it impact manufacturing speed or performance.
The business has a commercial partnership with Henkel AG & Co to distribute smart adult care to European and North American markets. Henkel bring global industry reach, reputation, and significant resources to the partnership.
