Airglove innovative healthcare products disrupting the Peripheral Arterial Disease treatment market, improving patient care and leading to clinical efficiency.
Background
Airglove Medical Ltd is a Scottish medical innovations company based in East Kilbride, Scotland. The company was started in July 2016 formerly known as Green Cross Medico Ltd, with Chairman Giovanni (Gio) Benedetti, a serial entrepreneur, the driving force behind the company. They operate with a lean structure, focusing on innovation and collaboration with healthcare institutions.
The company specialises in developing and commercialising healthcare products aimed at improving patient care and clinical efficiency. Their flagship product, Airglove, is a patient warming system designed to facilitate intravenous access by gently warming the patient’s lower arm through an inflatable double walled glove which is thermally regulated, thus making veins more accessible for cannulation.
They developed Airglove Arm (first generation), a thermal vasodilatory, CE certified device designed to facilitate cannulation of the peripheral veins in difficult intravenous access patients (DIVA). Airglove technology provides a safe, convenient and effective way of vasodilation treatment for DIVA patients, but Airglove Medical also recognised that their unique technology could be revolutionary for people who suffer from Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).
200M people globally suffer from Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) with 716,817 over 55’s in the UK with symptomatic PAD costing on average £23,502 per patient, per year (NICE). This is a common condition where a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries restricts blood supply to the leg muscles and is treated by diet, reducing weight, reducing alcohol and exercise. However, in the UK every year there are 72,000 angioplasties, 18,000 lower limb bypasses and 3,500 amputations.
Current self-care therapy for PAD is walking therapy, which is difficult for people with moderate-to-severe PAD. Independent exploratory research indicates that gentle heat therapy delivers significant PAD benefits.
The Challenge
Airglove Medical required academic expertise to help develop a second generation Airglove, delivering two distinct units: Airglove LEG for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) treatment and Airglove ARM for Difficult Intravenous Access (DIVA) treatment to be used in both the UK and globally.
The Solution
Expertise was required in the areas of product design, electronics, electrical engineering and biomedical devices, due to the company’s lack of knowledge in these areas. Jackie Sanderson of Interface connected Airglove Medical with Edinburgh Napier University as they had the necessary expertise and background IP in product, biomedical devices, electronics, electrical and power electronics designs.
Working in partnership with Professor Chan Hwang See and the specialist academic team at Edinburgh Napier University the aim was to develop the first PAD prototype of Airglove LEG (with cradle resting unit).
Two new improved versions of the practical prototype of Airglove LEG resting unit (“Cradle”) were designed, built and tested at Edinburgh Napier’s in-house facility.
Several heat transfer measurements of the Airglove LEG unit were setup and carried out with good indication of thermal distribution on the human leg and by testing the power handling performance of the Airglove ARM unit, the results suggested that the existing 300W motor would suffice for the new Airglove LEG unit, leading to the development of a simulated electronic prototype for the Airglove unit.
Four students, three final year undergraduate students and one MSc student were involved in the product design including Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawing and prototyping, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design and testing, electrical engineering as well as contributing to the medical device and signal processing of the product.
The students proposed new electronics features, i.e. remote control, battery power, new sensors, smart control unit and wireless connectivity of the device, for the future advanced model of the Airglove unit.
The project was funded through a Standard Innovation Voucher and Advanced Innovation Voucher.
The Benefits
- Redesigning Airglove for the PAD market will be a disrupter, improving PAD treatment outcomes, increasing patient mobility, minimising leg amputations, and delivering cost savings for the NHS.
- Development of Airglove technology for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) opens up a significantly larger market for Airglove Medical Ltd both in the UK and internationally.
- Airglove LEG supports the UK Government’s Healthy Ageing Grand Challenge and the NHS backlog reduction focussed on “New treatments and diagnostic and streamlined surgical methods believed to result in more patients being seen to quickly and safely”.
- Airglove technology has earned Airglove Medical Ltd several awards including the Seal of Excellence from the European Commission (2019), Runner-Up in the Medilink West Midlands Medical & Healthcare Business Awards for Partnership with the NHS (2018), shortlisted in the Medilink North Medical & Healthcare Business Awards for Partnership with the NHS (2025) and a finalist for Innovation of the Year at the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards (2024).
Academic Benefits
- Four students, three final year undergraduate students and one MSc student, involved in this project, have gained good industrial experience. They will be able to use the transferable skills and knowledge gained in product design, electronics circuit design, presentation, and communication skills from this project for their future career.
- Applying the academic knowledge to new products designed for commercially established markets will deliver impact on accelerated timescales raising the profile and demonstrating the strengths of the university and its scope for further industrial collaboration.
- The knowledge generated through this project will support future funding applications, inform several final-year and MSc student projects, and contribute to teaching materials—helping to equip the next generation of engineers with up-to-date, industry-relevant expertise.
The Next Steps
- The Airglove LEG working prototype is to be used in the Human Factors Research and 1st Phase patient service evaluation trials in conjunction with Professor Philip Stather, Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon, Norfolk & Norwich University hospital.
- An Innovate UK Fast Start Grant of £50K was secured to help further develop a new product, Airglove mobile. Airglove Medical Ltd are looking at other funding resources such as innovate UK, KTP etc. to continue to develop the advanced features of the Airglove unit.
- Airglove Medical Ltd aim to apply for a Scottish Enterprise SMART Grant to continue the Airglove project and develop the Airglove unit for both the arm and the leg with AI technology.
- Several BEng and MSc projects to be set up.
Be part of the conversation at the Art of Possible session on 19th June at the Glasgow Science Centre.
As part of the #Glasgow 850 celebrations, this Art of Possible session will highlight Glasgow’s remarkable health and life sciences journey—a story that blends centuries of scientific discovery with today’s cutting-edge medical technologies. The Glasgow’s Innovation Journey campaign is a year-long initiative showcasing how Glasgow’s industrial past has laid the foundation for the high-tech advancements of today. This month, the focus is on the city’s thriving health and life sciences sector, from breakthroughs in biotechnology and medical research to pioneering technologies that enhance patient care. Glasgow continues to lead the way in global health innovation.
This Art of Possible session will explore how technology is transforming and democratising healthcare — making it more accessible, personalised, and efficient for all.
Join the panel of experts to examine how emerging technologies are transforming areas such as early disease detection, patient wellbeing, and precision medicine. From robot-assisted surgery and ultrasonic imaging to AI-powered diagnostics, the session will explore how Glasgow’s health tech innovators are tackling global health challenges while breaking down barriers to more personalised care.
Whether it’s through data-led approaches or immersive AR/VR tools for patient and clinician support, the region’s ecosystem is shaping a future where location and circumstance no longer determine access to high-quality healthcare.
Who is Speaking?
- Dr Stephen Breslin – Chief Executive, Glasgow Science Centre
- Janette Hughes – Director of Planning & Performance, The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) (Chair)Nico Fenu – CEO & Founder, Nami Surgical
- Dr Paul Chapman – Director of Emerging Technology, The Glasgow School of Art
- More speakers to be confirmed soon
This will be a valuable session for business leaders, researchers, technologists, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
TecTonic Night Summit is an immersive, collaborative celebration of innovation and community, bringing people together through evening gatherings alongside business conferences and fringe events across Scotland.
Blending the energy of a live community gathering with the insight and business showcase elements of a conference, TecTonic events are an inclusive, dynamic showcase of connectivity and creativity within Scotland’s digital business landscape and startup ecosystem.
The name reflects the movement, intersection, and constant evolution of ideas, innovation, relationships, and collaboration across sectors, industries, and enterprise.
For each event, we draw together a new team of established and emerging Community Leaders to ensure fresh ideas and opportunities each year.
Key to the vision of the project is promoting a positive, united front of business support organisations and community groups, not just to showcase the incredible ecosystem we have, but also to create real opportunities for collaboration and cross-pollination between networks.
Jackie Sanderson and Elaine Sneddon of Interface will be attending this event.
‘Scotland: Creating the Jobs of Tomorrow’ aims to help shape Scotland’s economic future by showcasing how innovation can drive growth and create high-quality jobs.
The conference will feature distinguished speakers, including:
- The Rt Hon Gordon Brown
- David Sainsbury, Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Former Science and Innovation Minister
- The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security
- Anas Sarwar MSP, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party
- Professor Michael Spence, Nobel prize-winning economist
- Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of University of Glasgow
- Jim Rowan, Former CEO Volvo Cars
- Chris van der Kuyl, Tech entrepreneur
- Dame Kate Bingham, Former Chair of the UK’s Vaccines Task Force
- Kasim Kutay, CEO of Novo Holdings
- Saul Klein, Leading venture capital investor
- Dan Turner, Political scientist
- Dr Poonam Malik, Convener of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Economy and Enterprise Committee and Scottish Enterprise board member
- Dr Susie Mitchell, Programme Manager of Glasgow Riverside Innovation District, University of Glasgow
- Professor Andrew Morris, Vice-Principal of Data Science at the University of Edinburgh, Director of Health Data Research UK and President of the Academy of Medical Sciences
- Professor Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde
- These leaders will share their insights on leveraging Scotland’s industrial and research strengths to build a more prosperous and productive future.
Discussions will focus on how local, Scottish, and UK governments can support these efforts, drawing on a wide range of insights from Scotland and around the world.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with business, professional, political, and academic leaders who are committed to driving economic growth and reducing poverty.
This event is organised by Our Scottish Future, in association with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and the University of Glasgow, and is a not-to-be-missed event for anyone interested in the future of Scotland’s economy.
Taking place at the Technology and Innovation Centre, this event will bring together experts from academia, industry and government to address scientific and technical opportunities and challenges in Scotland.
The day will feature workshops and roundtable discussions on diverse topics including policy, innovation and education. This event will also feature a lunchtime address and a networking break which will bring together delegates from across the conference.
These sessions are aimed at SMEs who wish to hear more about what resources are available to them locally. It will feature presentations from organisations that have been set up to provide specialist knowledge and capabilities, funding providers and regional support networks.
Amelia Whitelaw, Director, Interface will be part of panel session on funding.
This Royal Society event is part of a wider event, Creating Connections in Scotland 2025, which is part of a meeting series organised by the Society and aims to address the scientific and technical opportunities and challenges faced by different regions across the UK.
This event is free to attend by invitation. To request an invitation, please contact industry@royalsociety.org.
For more information on the day visit https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2025/06/creating-connections-scotland/
Glasgow Tech Week is back 26–31 May.
Glasgow City Innovation District (GCID) is bringing together founders, tech leaders, ecosystem builders, and the wider community to celebrate the innovative work taking place within Glasgow’s tech, digital and creative ecosystem. Glasgow City Innovation District has partnered with global businesses and SMEs across the city for a week of breakfast seminars, educational workshops, networking evenings and more.
Join GCID for a week of fun, unique events covering everything from investment and business support to pitching, health tech and AI.
Glasgow City Innovation District (GCID) is excited to bring you Fusion Fest, formerly known as Glasgow Tech Fest.
During this award-winning event you have the opportunity to connect with your peers, learn from others and network to make valuable connections
Attendees of Fusion Fest will have the opportunity to network with colleagues and peers in a conference designed for actionable learnings at the same time showcasing talent and expertise in Glasgow.
Fusion Fest will be the headline event of Glasgow Tech Week, Scotland’s only tech week, which will take place between the 26th and 31st of May and brings together founders, tech leaders, ecosystem builders, and the community, to celebrate the innovative work taking place within Glasgow’s tech, digital, creative and innovation ecosystem.
If you are a student, use code STUDENT to get a free ticket.
Overview
This conference is a free, interactive, facilitated event promoting dialogue between academics and voluntary sector practitioners, policy makers and other stakeholders from a broad range of third sector organisations.
Key note speaker: Professor Sarah Skerratt, RSE
The conference will let you:
- Hear from some of the latest third sector research projects
- Discuss findings and share learning around impact
- Meet and network with other third sector researchers and academics involved in voluntary sector-related research
Following the wide-ranging events that take place during Volunteer Week in Scotland in the first week of June, this full-day event will cast a critical eye over the many facets of impact that relate to the third sector in Scotland.
This research symposium is jointly hosted by The Voluntary Sector Studies Network (VSSN) and the Third Sector Research Forum (hosted by Evaluation Support Scotland), the University of Glasgow, Youth Link Scotland, Volunteer Scotland and Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).
Themes for the day include:
- The impact of volunteering and the third sector in different settings, including health, wellbeing and the wellbeing economy
- The impact of small community organisations and place-based volunteering
- How does the sector navigate working with the local grassroots communities?
- How to measure the value of the sector and to understand the place of evaluations and measuring impact in the third sector
- The impact of doing research in collaboration with volunteering organisations and the impact of community led research on research values and ethics
This in-person event is aimed at anyone who does, uses or commissions research about volunteering or community and third sector organisations, in particular:
- Members of the Third Sector Research Forum
- VSSN members
- Third sector researchers
- Academics involved in third sector-related/community-led research
Glasgow’s rich industrial heritage, rooted in the ingenuity of pioneers like James Watt, set the city on a path of global prominence during the Industrial Revolution. From steam engines to textiles and shipbuilding, Glasgow’s contributions to manufacturing have shaped the world. Today, the city continues to lead on the world stage – but now as a centre of excellence in advanced manufacturing, precision engineering, and cutting-edge aerospace technology.
Join #Glasgow850 edition of the award-winning Art of Possible to explore how Glasgow’s history of invention fuels its ambitions for the future. The panel will delve into how groundbreaking innovations in advanced manufacturing are transforming production processes across industries and shaping technological progress from terrestrial applications to outer space and will examine how these breakthroughs drive sustainability, competitive advantage, and economic growth.
From the development of flexible ultrasound sensors for aerospace inspection to revolutionary jet engine components and innovative small satellite technologies, hear from industry pioneers and researchers pushing technological boundaries. Together, we’ll envision a future where Glasgow’s industrial legacy continues to inspire global innovation.
This event will connect past, present, and future as Glasgow celebrates 850 years of innovation, offering insights into how manufacturing can deliver lasting impact for generations to come.
What to Expect?
🎤 Lightning Talks – Industry pioneers share insights on Glasgow’s manufacturing future.
💬 Panel Discussion & Q&A – Expert discussion on industry trends, challenges & opportunities — ask your questions during registration or live!
✨ FREE Planetarium Show – Experience a visual journey from Earth to the stars, exploring the future of technology beyond our planet.
Why Attend?
🤝 Network with top innovators, industry leaders, and researchers.
👍 Meet Glasgow’s thriving innovation ecosystem.
🎙️ Gain insights from experts shaping advanced manufacturing.
🚀 Discover cutting-edge technologies.
🎉 Celebrate #Glasgow850 and the city’s pioneering legacy.
Speakers include:
🎤 Dr Stephen Breslin – Chief Executive, Glasgow Science Centre
🎤 Dr Lynne O’Hare – Chief Portfolio Officer, High Value Manufacturing Catapult (Chair)
🎤 Dr Dave Hughes – Founder & CEO, Novosound
🎤 Pamela Smith – Vice President of Future Programmes, AAC Clyde Space
🎤 Coreen McCubbin – Chief Technology Officer, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS)
About Art of Possible
Now in its 8th year, this award-winning series connects innovators, creatives, and industry leaders to explore how unexpected tech collaborations drive new ideas and solutions. It’s also an official primer for Scotland’s CAN DO Innovation Summit.