Past Projects
Sentinel – ICU Respiratory Monitoring System (CDHB)
A dedicated patient‑monitoring device developed for the Canterbury District Health Board to continuously track the breathing of ICU patients. Sentinel monitored respiratory patterns, detected abnormal or absent breathing, and provided alarm notifications to clinical staff. The embedded software, electronics, and system architecture were designed to meet the stringent safety and reliability requirements of an intensive‑care environment.
Below are some examples of past work which our Engineer has developed
GPS Trigger – Synchronous Data Acquisition System (University of Canterbury)
A GPS‑based triggering device enabling precise, synchronised data collection across multiple locations in the University of Canterbury’s Fluids Laboratory. The full development cycle was managed to deliver a reliable timing solution for complex multi‑point experiments.
Water Hammer Driver – Remote‑Operated Valve Controller (University of Canterbury)
A remotely operated valve‑control system used in water‑hammer experiments. The hardware and firmware were designed to allow safe, repeatable, remote triggering of hydraulic flow events, improving both safety and experimental consistency.
Communications Bridge – Embedded Protocol Interface (University of Canterbury)
A custom communications bridge enabling laboratory and industrial devices using incompatible protocols to communicate reliably. Experience with Modbus, Siemens protocols, and embedded C was applied to create a robust, low‑latency interface layer.
Handheld Hydraulic Controller & Data‑Collection Device (University of Canterbury)
A portable embedded system used to operate hydraulic equipment, allowing the automation of the calibration of hydraulic rams and sensors, saving the students days in set-up time. The device integrated sensor inputs, control outputs, and onboard processing, giving technicians real‑time operational feedback in a compact, rugged form factor.
Waterbath – Precision Laboratory Temperature Control System (CDHB)
Development of the hospital’s in‑house laboratory water bath, engineered to maintain water temperature within ±0.1°C. The electronics, PID control algorithms, and touchscreen interface were redesigned, resulting in a more intuitive device that was approximately 50% cheaper to manufacture in-house than to purchase an externally.
AIRS – ICU Sedation Control System (CDHB)
An automated sedation‑delivery system capable of controlling multiple syringe pumps simultaneously—one for sedative, one for analgesic. The embedded software, safety interlocks, touchscreen UI, barcode‑based patient entry, and reporting tools were developed to ensure safe, protocol‑driven sedation without manual pump overrides.
Neonatal Alarm – Apnoea Monitoring Device (CDHB)
A custom neonatal apnoea monitor designed to detect pauses in infant breathing and alert clinical staff. Developed in close collaboration with neonatologists, the embedded software, electronics, and touchscreen interface were created to replace a commercial system being withdrawn from the global market, ensuring continuity of care for vulnerable infants. This device was taken through to prototype stage.
Bed Pan Washer (CDHB)
Project to upgrade the current clockwork control of the bed pan washer to an automated system. The original proposal required the upgrade of the PLC, however the project was adapted to replace PLC with a bespoke device at 1/10th of the cost, and increase functionality.
Mass Spectrometer (Prima Pro) – Embedded Software & Systems Engineering (Thermo Fisher Scientific)
As part of a role at Thermo Fisher Scientific, contributions were made to the embedded software, diagnostics, and system integration of the Prima Pro mass spectrometer range. This work included device drivers, embedded C development, system testing, and on‑site factory acceptance testing with customers.