Technologies for remote monitoring, wound imaging and infection prevention in ICUs are among 11 medtech innovations from the East of England to receive up to £100,000 funding.

The investment is part of the Small Business Research Initiative East funding programme, backed by NHS East of England, the East of England Development Agency and the Technology Strategy Board.

Companies submitted ideas for products and services that can improve healthcare in the areas of long-term condition management, patient safety and keeping children active, as well as achieving a low-carbon environment.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson commented: "The level of interest is very high, with 11 SMEs awarded Phase 1 contracts. The proposed solutions were in many cases new and genuinely innovative. And all the more important in the current environment is that the potential savings to the NHS run into the hundreds of millions."

Companies awarded Phase 1 funding will be considered for further funding to evaluate their products in a second phase.

Winners of 'Managing Long-term Conditions' grants include Docobo, which has developed a telehealth system that provides decision support for home-based care, and Eykona Technologies, which has developed a 3D imaging device to characterise diabetic ulcers.

'Patient Safety' grants have been secured by ABMS to develop a drug delivery device with an integrated disposable drug container, Anaxsys Technology to improve its electrochemical sensor technology, and Cambridge Design Partnership to develop a technology to reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in ICUs.

Keith Pearson, Chairman of NHS East of England, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of entries we have received, highlighting the highly innovative work that is happening all around us.

"It has been particularly gratifying to receive so many strong entries from small businesses in the East of England; the innovation vibrancy of this region is particularly impressive in these difficult times."