Foundations – simplified sleep diagnosis – improved access for patients
Stowood Scientific Instruments was formed in 1992 by Dr Lynford (Lyn) Davies and a team of software, hardware and bioengineers. We were formed to develop easy to use technologies that would assist in the diagnosis of sleep and breathing disorders. The goal was to enable the use of diagnostic technologies beyond dedicated specialist services as well as to support clinicians in their ongoing management of patients through the integration of a range of equipment within a single user interface.
Lyn, a bioengineering PhD, spent his early career in the NHS and in industry before becoming Research and Technical Manager at Oxford Medical in 1984. He remained at Oxford Medical until he formed Stowood. During his time at Oxford Medical the company was the UK’s primary manufacturer of ambulatory and neurophysiological monitoring equipment. It was at Oxford Medical that Lyn developed his interest in sleep. Prior to Lyn’s premature death in May 2013 he made a plan for Stowood to continue in the spirit that has always underpinned the business, and his successors are determined to maintain that spirit.
Constantly innovating
The first product from the Stowood stable was Visi-Lab for sleep apnoea/ PLMS (Periodic Limb Movement Screening) diagnosis, an easier and less intrusive alternative to polysomnography. The design of Visi-Lab was based on the latest research findings of Professors John Stradling in Oxford and Neil Douglas in Edinburgh. Their research had proved the utility of simpler equipment versus polysomnography, meaning that sleep diagnosis and resulting therapy could potentially be made available to far greater numbers of patients than ever before.
We pride itself on continual innovation and work with the clinical community and industry partners to develop solutions tailored to their needs.