Jon Spratley, University of Birmingham: Mechanical Design of an Injectable Microstore for Neural Connection within the Motor Cortex of the Human Brain

Jon Spratley receiving his certificate from Patrick Finlay, MediMaton Ltd


Jon Spratley – Biography
Jon Spratley studied for a MEng in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham from 1999 to 2004.  During this degree Jon was sponsored by a multinational automotive company and gained invaluable insight into the many different aspects of a large-scale engineering organisation.  This experience taught Jon that his passion for engineering was focused towards innovation and early stage development. 

Therefore Jon accepted a PhD in the Microsystems group of the University of Birmingham, researching an innovative solution to the difficulties of patients with Motor Neurone Disease and other severe communications disorders.  During this project Jon developed a mechanical platform of a micro-sensor to inject into the motor cortex that can wirelessly transmit neural signals to an external processing unit. 

In 2007 Jon joined 42 Technology, an innovative technology and product development consultancy, and has been fortunate enough to work on many diverse projects including domestic solar thermal design, medical injector device development and novel cooling systems for beer and cider.

Jon Spratley comments
"I am very honoured to be awarded the MediMaton Prize for Best Medical Engineering Recent PhD Thesis from such a prestigious institution as the IMechE." 

"I would like to thank MediMaton for their continued support of this event and the IMechE for making such an event possible, highlighting the importance of medical engineering in today’s society." 

"I also would to thank Dr Patrick Finlay from MediMaton and Professor Garth Johnson of the University of Newcastle for taking the time to judge my category and making what must have been a very difficult decision." 

"Finally I would like to thank Amy Hurlstone and her colleagues at the IMechE for their flawless organisation of this event, and my supervisors Dr Mike Ward and Prof Peter Hall from the University of Birmingham for their support and guidance throughout my PhD."