Novosound – a start up from the University of the West of Scotland

Novosound is an award winning Scottish sensors company utilising thin-film processes to mass produce printable ultrasound monitors thereby eliminating the limitations in conventional ultrasound sensors. Novosound has created various products with a unique printed ultrasound sensor that is truly flexible, high-resolution, adaptable and scalable. The patented technology was developed at the Institute of Thin Films, Imaging and Sensors at the University of the West of Scotland by current CEO Dr Dave Hughes.  

Dr Hughes holds a degree in physics from the University of Glasgow, a Doctorate in engineering from the University of Strathclyde, and has many years’ experience researching ultrasound for medical, dental, and industrial applications. In 2020 he was named as the Institute of Directors’ Scotland Director of the Year in the Start-Up category.

Traditional sensors have rigid faces with poor connection to curved surfaces and are temperature sensitive resulting in reduced acoustic performance at high temperatures. This results in low quality images, limiting performance and potential. Furthermore, thin walls, small defects and human tissue/veins/bone require high-resolution sensors which are difficult to manufacture using reductive machining processes. novosound’s thin-film deposition technologies eliminate these issues and can be used for a range of solutions and products for your industry.  

Novosound recently completed a $2.6 million funding round, led by Par Equity with participation from Kelvin Capital, University of the West of Scotland, and Scottish Enterprise. The funding will accelerate the commercialisation of novosound’s innovative ultrasound technology.

Paul Munn, Managing Partner, Par Equity, said:

“With innovation at its core, we are pleased to continue our support for Dave and the team as the company accelerates internationalisation and global sales. We can see the traction the company is gaining with some of the world’s largest corporate brands, with considerable commercial opportunities ahead in digital health and industrial monitoring markets.”

VP of surgery at Baylor College Todd K. Rosengart said;

“I have been very impressed with the Novosound technology and how we are applying it to a global clinical need, which we believe will save lives and could indeed become the next vital sign monitor.”