The rapid integration of AI into healthcare services raises ‘new ethical questions’, says Eoin O’Cearbhaill.
Dr Eoin O’Cearbhaill is the latest recipient of the NovaUCD Innovation Award, an honor given to those with successful stories in the commercialization of research from University College Dublin (UCD).
O’Cearbhaill is an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, where his research focuses on developing minimally invasive medical technologies to diagnose and treat disease.
He is also director of the Center for Biomedical Engineering, and leads the UCD Medical Device Design Group within the centre, which aims to address clinical needs by developing novel medical devices with real-world applications.
The research group helped create spin-off companies LaNua Medical, Latch Medical and Lia Eyecare, and has filed more than a dozen patents.
O’Cearbhaill has also been a member of a number of Enterprise Ireland Commercialization Fund projects. He is a Research Ireland Centers Cúram and I-Form funded investigator, and has consulted for a number of businesses including Boston Scientific, NeoGraft Technologies, Johnson & Johnson and CroíValve.
“A major focus of my career has been translating research from the lab to technology that can ultimately improve patient care, including going out of university and collaborating with clinicians, researchers and industry partners,” O’Cearbhaill told SiliconRepublic.com.
What inspired you to become a researcher?
I was fortunate to grow up with parents who always supported education and curiosity. Instead of one defining moment, it was a gradual realization that research offers an opportunity to contribute something new.
Some time spent working in the medical device industry was also influential, as it gave me a practical understanding of how engineering can directly improve patient care. It showed me the importance of developing technology that is not only innovative, but practical, reliable and capable of making a real clinical impact.
Can you tell us about the research you are currently working on?
Our research focuses on minimally invasive technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Ideally, we first identify an unmet clinical need, often in collaboration with clinicians, and then develop functional device concepts to address it.
My expertise is in mechanics, but coming up with the best solution depends on teamwork. We work closely with experts in electronic engineering, materials science, pharmaceuticals and clinical medicine, both inside and outside our team, to bring the right combination of skills to each challenge.
Research rarely follows a straight line. Sometimes a technology developed for one purpose presents an unexpected opportunity elsewhere. Being able to adapt and pivot is often essential if we want to increase the likelihood of clinical translation and real patient impact.
Why is your research important?
Biomedical engineering research can directly improve lives through better diagnostics, smarter treatments and less invasive procedures. It also plays an important role in the economy. Research attracts talented people from around the world, helps build high-value industries, and creates an environment where the next generation of Irish startups can emerge.
Ireland has the ingredients to become a world leader in next-generation medtech if we continue to invest in talent, translational research and entrepreneurship.
What commercial applications do you foresee for your research?
My team and I have been fortunate to work with talented researchers and entrepreneurs who have already adapted UCD technology with the support of NovaUCD, into companies.
This innovation includes areas such as microneedle-based drug delivery, tumor therapy technology and device-based treatment for dry eye disease and includes spin-offs such as Latch Medical, LaNua Medical and Lia Eyecare.
Medical devices require strict regulation, quality systems and clinical validation, so the road to commercialization can be challenging. But if successful, it turns research findings into real products that can benefit patients to a greater extent.
UCD Medical Device Design Group. Photo: University College Dublin
What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a researcher in your field?
One of the biggest challenges is attracting and retaining top talent. PhD researchers and postdoctoral fellows are part of scientific progress, so it is important that grants and salaries remain competitive with industry, especially during a cost-of-living crisis.
Another challenge is the rapid integration of AI and smart technologies into healthcare devices. This creates exciting new opportunities, but also raises new technical, regulatory and ethical questions.
Are there any common misconceptions about this area of research?
Sometimes people think that creating a medical device is all about designing the hardware and now, especially the software for the next generation smart devices. In fact, one of the most important challenges is understanding how that device interacts with the body over time.
We are particularly interested in the interaction between implantable or wearable devices and the surrounding tissue. Understanding that relationship is important if we want devices to work reliably and safely in the long term.
What are some of the research areas you would like to see addressed in the coming years?
There is a huge opportunity in remote patient monitoring, technology that allows for more outpatient procedures, and devices that shorten recovery times.
These innovations can improve the patient experience while helping healthcare systems manage growing demand more effectively.
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