11th August 2009

The creators of technology which could save the lives of thousands of unborn babies have been nominated for a top innovation award.

Dr Carl Barratt and his team have spent more than 15 years developing the Monica AN24 fetal heart monitor, which uses highly sensitive monitoring.

Monica Healthcare, which created the technology and is based at Nottingham's BioCity, has now sold hundreds of the devices in 21 countries.

And it could be line to win a Lord Stafford Award after making it through to the final four of the 'Innovation in Achievement' category.

The awards are designed to celebrate and recognise innovative collaborations between business and universities.

The winners will be announced on September 10 at the Epic Centre in Lincolnshire.

Monica – a spin-off company from the University of Nottingham – is now looking to secure long-term contracts with the NHS and complete trials in the USA.

Dr Barratt said the device could help five million at risk babies a year.

He said: "Getting through to the finals of the Lord Stafford Awards is a massive achievement for our business and will help add credibility to what we are trying to achieve."