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For people, place, prosperity and planet, we deliver impact with measurement science

Saving lives through early foot ulcer detection

NPL spin-out Thermology Health receives funding to advance its technology.

4 minute read

NPL has announced that Thermology Health, a medical technology spin-out, has secured funding from private investors to transition into an independent company, focusing on innovative solutions for diabetic foot ulcer prevention.

Thermology Health is developing a thermal imaging system capable of detecting foot ulcers in their early stages. This could be critical for preventing the worst complications to arise from foot ulcers amongst diabetics – with around 175 amputations still taking place in the UK, every week.

This could be a gamechanger for both individuals and society. As many as 25% of those with diabetes develop foot ulcers. For those who require amputations as a result of complications, 30% die within five years. Complications arising from diabetic foot ulcers cost the UK healthcare system over £1.5 billion a year, and with the global diabetes population projected to exceed 640 million by 2030, the scale of this challenge is only set to grow.

Thermology Health's cutting-edge technology offers a promising solution. By utilising AI analytics and ultra-accurate temperature readings, the company has developed a thermal imaging system capable of detecting early signs of ulceration. Collaborating with NPL, Thermology Health has achieved a remarkable reduction in measurement uncertainty from 2 degrees Celsius to just 0.2 degrees Celsius, there is no medical imaging device in clinical use today with this level of uncertainty, setting a new standard in medical thermal imaging.

In the next few months, Thermology Health is looking to begin usability trials in both the UK and the US, including with the NHS and private practices, with the long-term aim of delivering an at home monitoring solution to millions worldwide.

Yuval Yashiv, CEO Thermology Health said: “We’re delighted to have reached this exciting milestone of spinning out from NPL. NPL has developed this unique, potentially life-saving technology over many years. The time has now come to fully commercialise the technology and to deploy it in the market, which is why Thermology Health has spun out and is now an independent, private company. We’re addressing a very major complication of diabetes and are aiming to have a meaningful positive impact on patients and on the heavy healthcare costs associated with this condition.”

Dr Peter Thompson, CEO, NPL said: “At NPL we are dedicated to advancing healthcare through innovation and Thermology Health’s technology is a perfect example of this commitment. Supporting the development of techniques and technologies that aim to offer a solution to a healthcare challenge forms part of our commitment to use our science to positively impact people’s lives. I'm delighted that Thermology Health has grown to the point of transitioning to a standalone company, and I look forward to continuing to work with the team to enable and accelerate this live-changing technology.”

Dr Alison Campbell, CEO, Government Office for Tech Transfer said: “We are proud that we’ve been able to help accelerate the development of this innovative thermal imaging system through grant funding and commercialisation advice. By supporting spinouts like Thermology Health, GOTT aims to transform public sector Knowledge Assets into tangible solutions that benefit the citizen and economy. This funding news is a strong signal from the market that they see the public sector as a place to invest.”

  20 Jun 2025

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