Feb 20
Maximise Your Neurotechnology Development: The MiNT Academy's Clinical Consultancy Packages
The MiNT Academy was developed by clinicians at Hobbs Rehabilitation after responding to a request from neurotechnology engineers and product developers for collaboration at the initial design stages of their device.
Neurotechnology is at the heart of Hobbs Rehabilitation, who strive to embed new and cutting-edge devices into clinical practice to enhance patient outcomes. Rather than waiting for the end product, we use our Clinical Consultancy Packages to enable industry leaders, researchers, and innovators to work with clinicians and patients to trial and experience their neurotechnology in a real-world rehabilitation setting before finalising the product.
“Collaborating with clinical experts and patients at Hobbs Rehabilitation has provided unique insight that helped guide product development so that it meets patient and clinical needs from the initial development steps.” - Eve Gregoriou, NeuroVirt Founder and CEO
Achieving an outstanding NPS score of 100, our goal is to revolutionise the connection between neurotechnology and rehabilitation, offering engineers and product developers a unique platform to drive innovation and success.
Clinical Consultancy Packages to Enhance Your Neurotechnology Device
As a leader in clinical neurotherapy, our experienced multidisciplinary team has extensive knowledge of managing complex clinical needs, giving us the optimal position to support innovative companies with their latest product research and development.
Combined with insights into a wide range of neurotechnology devices, generated from numerous years working with neurotechnology in rehabilitation, our Clinical Consultancy Packages offer a unique opportunity to optimise clinical device application.
Following an email discussion, there are three stages with which we collaborate with companies interested in working with The MiNT Academy.
1. A Free 1-Hour Introductory Video Call: The neurotechnology company will discuss their device with a member of the MiNT Academy team to identify the best therapists and patients for the trial.
1. A Free 1-Hour Introductory Video Call: The neurotechnology company will discuss their device with a member of the MiNT Academy team to identify the best therapists and patients for the trial.
2. A Clinical Consultancy Day: A day will be organised to demonstrate the device and receive expert clinical feedback from our patients and specialist clinicians at one of our Hobbs Rehabilitation centres.
3. A Clinical Consultancy Package: Following the Clinical Consultancy Day, we will work together to tailor the most suitable pathway for the neurotechnology company, with options such as additional clinical trials, consultations, research support, and clinical logbook data.
“The MiNT Academy team is professional in their communication, and offers valuable insights into the subject matter of stroke rehabilitation from a variety of perspectives. The MiNT Academy shared their honest opinions and feedback on our existing prototype. Additionally, during the feedback session with stroke survivors, the MiNT team asked probing questions which helped to uncover more in-depth insights from them, which might have been otherwise missed.” - Orian Dai, Co-Founder and Design Engineer of Omnihuman
Why Choose The MiNT Academy?
“Working collaboratively with experienced therapists in neurorehabilitation is extremely useful to companies working in this space. The enthusiasm and expertise of Hobbs Rehabilitation staff is what gives this value.” - Katlin Kreamer-Tonin, Product Manager at ABLE Human Motion
The MiNT Academy offers a unique, hands-on approach to bridging the gap between neurotechnology and rehabilitation. Our Clinical Consultancy Packages provide neurotechnology companies with direct access to expert clinicians, researchers, and patients in a dynamic, collaborative environment. This invaluable opportunity allows innovators to receive bespoke insights and feedback on their neurotechnology devices, ensuring they are maximised for clinical settings.
With a focus on practical application, we ensure that the product not only meets clinical standards but truly addresses the needs of both therapists and patients, making a real, impactful difference in neurological rehabilitation.
Our expert team also has a great deal of experience commercially, enabling us to support device demonstrations, presentations, posters, and clinical opinions at conferences and events, such as our very own MiNT UK 2025. By showcasing clinical applications in these forums, we help innovators gain a better understanding of device relevance and appropriateness, while enhancing the interactive nature of these events.
“It is not just clinical but we also can help with all elements of the commercialisation process and health technology assessment; from ideation of those pre-start ups all the way through to well established manufactures selling devices internationally.” - Barry Richards, Head of Commercial Operations at the MiNT Academy
Are you an innovator and would like to continue your neurotechnology development journey with us?
Contact us today at enquires@themintacademy.co.uk or head over to our CONTACT page to register your interest.
Connect with us
Copyright© 2022 Hobbs Rehabilitation LTD
Alison Watt
Head of Clinical Operations
Alison is Head of Clinical Operations for The MiNT Academy. With over 10 years of clinical experience within specialist neurological services, Alison previously worked in the NHS specialising in stroke and neurorehabilitation.
As a previous NHS AHP Ward Manager, Alison has always worked within innovative therapy roles. This continues at The MiNT Academy, a growing neurotechnology platform combining clinical education and product development.
As a previous NHS AHP Ward Manager, Alison has always worked within innovative therapy roles. This continues at The MiNT Academy, a growing neurotechnology platform combining clinical education and product development.
Alison coordinates research, development and education activities to enable increased accessibility to clinically effective devices.
As Principle Investigator in technology trials, she has aided the development of devices from concept to market, with recent focusses on Virtual Reality and Exoskeletons. Alison has presented at and organised numerous national and international conferences, including as MiNT Chair at RehabWeek 2022. She has also completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Medical Education and lectures at multiple UK academic institutions.
Alongside this, Alison works clinically at Hobbs Rehabilitation Intensive Neurotherapy Centre in Bristol, combining the use of therapy devices with conventional hands-on treatment, for outpatients with a variety of neurological conditions. Alison uses all of her roles to passionately drive forward the use of neurotechnology in clinical practice to optimise opportunities and outcomes for patients.
As Principle Investigator in technology trials, she has aided the development of devices from concept to market, with recent focusses on Virtual Reality and Exoskeletons. Alison has presented at and organised numerous national and international conferences, including as MiNT Chair at RehabWeek 2022. She has also completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Medical Education and lectures at multiple UK academic institutions.
Alongside this, Alison works clinically at Hobbs Rehabilitation Intensive Neurotherapy Centre in Bristol, combining the use of therapy devices with conventional hands-on treatment, for outpatients with a variety of neurological conditions. Alison uses all of her roles to passionately drive forward the use of neurotechnology in clinical practice to optimise opportunities and outcomes for patients.
Helen Hobbs
The MiNT Academy Development Team
Helen is a specialist neurological physiotherapist with over 25 years of specialist clinical experience and extensive clinical skills including advanced Bobath training. She has a special interest inclinical education, training and research. Helen has held postgraduate clinical training roles at both Kings College NHS Hospital London Neuroscience Centre and Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust before establishing Hobbs Rehabilitation in 2005.
Helen's teaching and leadership skills resulted in international scholarships and fellowships taking Helen to the USA and South Africa. She has presented both nationally and internationally. Helen has close links with several academic institutions including Southampton, Imperial College, Loughborough , Portsmouth and Winchester Universities to provide clinical leadership for the design of future healthcare technologies and research projects.
Her publications have included the effects of robotic assisted gait training on vascular health in strokes and spinal cord injured patients and the European rehabilitation guidelines for MS patients post stem cell transplant.
Amy Dennis-Jones
The MiNT Academy Research Lead
Amy has over 20 years experience working within the field of Neurological rehabilitation. She has worked with a variety of settings capturing the full rehabilitation pathway from acute through to the community.
Since working for Hobbs Rehabilitation in 2015, Amy has worked with an array of neurotechnologies and is a trained Rewalk exoskeleton clinician. She has presented at varying conference and study days, and is on the local committee for ACPIN, a specialist interest group for physiotherapists working in Neurology.
Amy's position within Hobbs Rehabilitation has evolved into a split clinical and research role. She is part of the core development team working on MiNT, an innovative neurotechnology platform combining clinical education and product development as well as leading on research projects and further collaborations.
Outside of physiotherapy, Amy is a qualified yoga teacher and combines her experience with rehabilitation to teach chair/adaptive yoga classes.
Chrissy Bibby
The MiNT Academy Events Lead
Chrissy has worked in the field of adult acquired neurological speech and language therapy for over 15 years, initially in the NHS before joining Hobbs Rehabilitation, where she leads the Speech & Language therapy team. Clinically, she has a special interest in motor speech disorders and rehabilitation of the facial nerve.
Chrissy trained as a teacher before embarking on her career in neurological rehabilitation and enjoys using her teaching skills in all areas of her work with Hobbs Rehabilitation and MiNT.
As Events Lead for The MiNT Academy, Chrissy is embracing the opportunity to discuss with fellow clinicians, academics and industry partners the benefits of using neurotechnology with our communication impaired clients, while encouraging further development in this vital area.
Outside of speech and language therapy, Chrissy enjoys swimming, singing with her local rock choir, baking, sewing, and camping with her family.
Chrissy trained as a teacher before embarking on her career in neurological rehabilitation and enjoys using her teaching skills in all areas of her work with Hobbs Rehabilitation and MiNT.
As Events Lead for The MiNT Academy, Chrissy is embracing the opportunity to discuss with fellow clinicians, academics and industry partners the benefits of using neurotechnology with our communication impaired clients, while encouraging further development in this vital area.
Outside of speech and language therapy, Chrissy enjoys swimming, singing with her local rock choir, baking, sewing, and camping with her family.
Laura Marriott
The MiNT Academy Education Lead
Laura is a specialist Neurological Occupational Therapist with 15 years of experience, over 12 years of which is in the neurological sector. Laura has worked in the NHS from acute care through to community rehabilitation and outpatients and now works in the private sector where she is the lead Occupational Therapist for Hobbs Intensive outpatient rehabilitation service, coordinating intensive rehabilitation packages and treating patients with complex neurological requirements.
Her role within Hobbs has evolved and she has split clinical and research responsibilities. She is part of the MiNT Academy Development Team who have delivered an innovative neurotechnology platform combining clinical education and product development. Her role also involves leading on research projects and further collaborations. Laura has expert clinical skills used to implement neuro assistive and rehabilitation technology into functional contexts building the links between the companies and the patients. Laura presented at Virtual RehabWeek 2021 and is excited to be presenting at RehabWeek 2022 in Rotterdam, showcasing the merits and application of collaboration between skilled clinicians and engineers to create a device that has longevity with both clinicians and patients alike.
Outside of Hobbs Laura enjoys a busy family life, hiking, roller skating and painting.
Lizzie Williams
The MiNT Academy Development Team
Lizzie is a Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist working at Hobbs Rehabilitation since May 2020. She also has a background in orthopaedics, frailty and inpatient rehabilitation. Lizzie jumped at the opportunity to be involved in The MiNT Academy to combine her interest in technology and love for providing high quality rehabilitation for patients. Lizzie brings the perspective of a physiotherapist who routinely utilises neurotechnology with patients as well as teaching and supporting other clinicians in embedding it into practice.
Rachael Edwards
The MiNT Academy Development Team
Rachael Edwards developed a specialist interest in the role of technology in upper limb neurorehabilitation, whilst working as an Occupational Therapist on the upper limb program at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square.
Rachael has relocated to Bristol and is setting up an Occupational Therapy service at Hobbs Rehabilitation Intensive Neurotherapy Centre, where she continues to explore the use of technology to support delivering intensive upper limb rehabilitation.
Louis Martinelli
The MiNT Academy Development Team
With degrees in Sport & Exercise Science
(BSc) and Physiotherapy (MSc pre-registration), Louis has over ten years’ experience of working in neurological rehabilitation and 15 years in the exercise industry.
Trained in both the Ekso GT and ReWalk, Louis has been using exoskeletons on a daily basis with a variety of medical conditions at Hobbs Rehabilitation for seven years. He has also experienced many patient trials/assessments in a variety of other exoskeleton manufactures.
Louis has helped establish a research partnership between Hobbs Rehabilitation and The University of Winchester, which in 2019 published an article on the effects exoskeleton rehabilitation can have on the vascular system in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine.
(BSc) and Physiotherapy (MSc pre-registration), Louis has over ten years’ experience of working in neurological rehabilitation and 15 years in the exercise industry.
Trained in both the Ekso GT and ReWalk, Louis has been using exoskeletons on a daily basis with a variety of medical conditions at Hobbs Rehabilitation for seven years. He has also experienced many patient trials/assessments in a variety of other exoskeleton manufactures.
Louis has helped establish a research partnership between Hobbs Rehabilitation and The University of Winchester, which in 2019 published an article on the effects exoskeleton rehabilitation can have on the vascular system in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine.
Barry Richards
Head of Commercial Operations
Barry brings extensive expertise in the medical device industry and healthcare markets from across Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific. Renowned as a subject matter expert, he possesses deep knowledge of exoskeleton technology and the neurological MedTech rehabilitation sector.
With over a decade of commercial experience, Barry has worked with leading neurological rehabilitation MedTech companies in various roles, including clinical, business development, market access, and commercial operations. He has successfully assisted multiple organisations in shaping their business development, sales, marketing, and clinical strategy plans at different stages of commercialisation.
With over a decade of commercial experience, Barry has worked with leading neurological rehabilitation MedTech companies in various roles, including clinical, business development, market access, and commercial operations. He has successfully assisted multiple organisations in shaping their business development, sales, marketing, and clinical strategy plans at different stages of commercialisation.
Barry has held director-level and senior management positions at both global and European levels. He also has a strong clinical background in physiotherapy, with significant experience in the neurological rehabilitation field, and demonstrates a high level of competency in operating advanced technologies.
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