Dr Fergal McCaffery of Dundalk Institute of Technology and researcher with Lero
Dr Fergal McCaffery of Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and researcher with Irish software engineering research centre Lero has been awarded a total of €1m in Enterprise Ireland grants to commercialise his research and potentially reach a global market.
Under new regulations in the EU and US, medical device software must meet the IEC 62304 standard. “This has huge implications for the industry and our research came up with a tool kit which will enable medical-device companies to develop products in accordance with the latest international standards,” explained McCaffery.
“With the assistance of Enterprise Ireland, we now aim to commercialise these findings as there is a global demand from medical-device companies to comply with these regulations,” he added.
“Dr McCaffery is recognised as an international leader in this space,” commented Lero director Prof Mike Hinchey. “He recently completed the medical-device section of a €4.6m EU software research programme designed to speed and reduce the cost of certification of software and so enhance European competitiveness.”
If taken up by medical-device manufacturers worldwide, this software process framework will enhance Ireland’s reputation as a leader in medical technology.
“The research being carried out by Dr McCaffery and his team will provide indispensable technology bricks that will enable a wide range of product applications,” said Gearoid Mooney, director of ICT commercialisation at Enterprise Ireland. “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to help finance this ambitious and forward-thinking initiative.”
