Innovation Exchange challenge: Detecting Nitrous Oxide levels in maternity wards

The iX programme is supporting Hull University Teaching Hospitals to find innovators who can provide a solution to allow them to monitor and display levels of nitrous gases in their clinical suites in real time. The solution will focus on the maternity wards, where nitrous gas is commonly used. Other clinical departments being considered include emergency departments and orthopaedics.

Entrants to this competition must be established businesses, academic institutions, start-ups, SMEs, or individual entrepreneurs, who are UK based or have the intention to set up a UK base.

Background

The NHS currently uses Entonox gas (a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen) as an anaesthetic gas. The gas is used for short term pain relief on maternity wards, emergency departments and orthopaedic suites. Nitrous oxide and oxygen gas has been identified as one of the hospitals biggest sources of greenhouse emissions. The hospital trust also recognises that staff could be exposed to nitrous oxide gas, and they need to protect staff as part of identifying where there may be areas of concentrated gas.

The challenge holder is looking for cost-effective ways to being able to measure and monitor hospital rooms for these emissions, with the focus being on their maternity wards where nitrous oxide and oxygen is used by mothers during labour. The anaesthetic gas is piped from a manifold system into a bed head unit on each delivery suite. The clinicians plug breathing apparatus into these units to allow women in labour to access the gas for pain relief.

Hull University Teaching Hospital have already trialled the G200 nitrous oxide product. The product is designed to safely check breathing levels within a room, or having individuals wear a device which monitors gas usage.

The challenge

The challenge holder is looking for a sensory system which will allow them to monitor nitrous oxide in real time on these wards and help identify potential leakages.

The sensor should alert staff working in the clinical suites and the hospitals Building Management System (BMS) to any elevated levels of nitrous gas. The data collected by the sensor would need to be calibrated to factor in general usage against leakage levels. 

Nitrous Oxide is a dense gas and would most likely pool at floor level, the bed has outlets for demand valves to be plugged in near headboard height. The Hospital Trust would be looking for an innovative system that can position sensors or collect gas samples in lower locations but any electronics may be safer above head board height attached to a wall above where they are less likely to be damaged by beds being moved around. Sensors should function at heights potentially close to the floor, or as pickups that can be moved easily to potential pooling locations.

Whilst not limiting the technologies from solution providers, it is expected that solutions would come from some of the following sectors: –

• Automotive
• Electronics
• Sensors
• Building Management Systems
• Health Care

It is preferred that the proposed solution, or the key part of the solution should be at TRL6 and would be ready to be installed within 12-24 months. 

The challenge holder is happy to partner with the solution provider to develop the product.

For full functional and technical requirements, visit the Innovation Exchange site at the link below.

Rewards & Market Opportunity

Successful applicants will be given an opportunity to pitch to Hull Hospital. Selected solutions will be trialled by Hull Hospital with potential for further adoption if trials are successful.The solution has potential to be deployed across Humber NHS Trust.

The benefits package for a successful applicant may also include:

• Support from Innovate UK Business Connect
• Support in the development of a prototype or pilot
• Technical support
• Invitation to attend or present at Innovate UK Business Connect events
• A potential business collaboration
• Investor introductions (if investment is required)
• Support if any Innovate or similar competitions are relevant.

Timescales

Launch of the Competition: 28th April 2025
Deadline for applications: 6th June 2025
Selection and notification of finalists: 01st July 2025
Date of Pitch Day: week commencing 21st July 2025