An innovative device to help women check for breast abnormalities is one of a number of projects receiving Scottish Government funding as part of the Scottish Government's SMART: SCOTLAND awards scheme.

The hand-held device, designed to be used by women at home as part of their breast awareness routine, works by shining a bright red light through the breast tissue which gives women an 'internal' view of their breasts and enables them to spot any changes over time.

Over six months to 31 March 2008, £4m of SMART: SCOTLAND grants have been given to small and medium-sized businesses to undertake innovative, high risk projects which may otherwise have been delayed, reduced in scope or not taken forward at all.

Speaking on a visit to PWB, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said: “SMART: SCOTLAND awards have an important role to play in making Scotland a more innovative and attractive place to do business.

“PWBs pioneering product is just one example of an excellent idea that has been boosted by help for research and development to bring it to market. And it will have potential health benefits for millions of women as an aid for breast awareness.

“Supporting projects such as these will stimulate innovation and technological advances, making Scotland a more attractive place to locate and invest and creating increased economic growth.”

Jim Hall of PWB Health Ltd added: “PWB Health Ltd were delighted to receive the offer of the SMART: SCOTLAND last year. It gave the company an additional boost at a crucial stage in the development of the Breastlight. We now have a prototype that delivers a high level of performance.

“We firmly believe that Breastlight will make a huge difference in providing women with an extra level of confidence and reassurance when they carry out their breast awareness routines. The review process and ultimately the SMART: SCOTLAND offer provided PWB Health Ltd with the IP rigour, marketing assistance and breadth of technical focus required to successfully develop our product to the prototype stage."

Other SMART: SCOTLAND awards announced today include the development of an integrated 360 degree camera capable of taking, processing and streaming a series of 360 degree panoramic photographs to a computer or mobile phone; new technology to allow digital content to be distributed using existing wires rather than new cables or wireless technology, and the development of a range of flexible body protection material.

Full details of recipients and projects can be found here. Since April 2007, the new SMART: SCOTLAND programme has brought together the previous SMART, SPUR and SPUR PLUS schemes.

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