TPM Engineering Sdn Bhd (TPME) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) have inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to jointly collaborate in the prototyping of the latter’s development of its endoscope sterilizing apparatus known as R-Entiquefor future commercialization.

R-Entique, an endoscope sterilizing unit with built-in timer and holder, is a multipurpose portable apparatus designed for the safe usage and maintenance of rigid endoscopes. The project was headed by Prof. Madya Dr. Salina Husain, of the UKM Medical Faculty.

TPME, a subsidiary of Technology Park Malaysia Corporation Sdn Bhd (TPM) was represented by its director, Dato’ Ir. Mohd Azman Haji Shahidin, who is also the TPM President/CEO. Meanwhile, Prof. Madya Dr. Salina signed on behalf of the University.

Speaking at the MoA signing ceremony TPM Chairman, Dato’ Ahmad Fauzi Zahari, said the partnership between UKM and TPME marked yet another important milestone of the need for deeper collaboration between research institutions and the industry towards developing new innovations.

He said UKM’s initiative in developing R-Entique clearly reflected its capability as one of the five leading is one of five research universities in Malaysia with a strategic direction to be the regional leader in academic and research excellence.

“TPM and TPME are certainly proud to be associated with UKM and look forward to establishing stronger ties in assisting the commercialisation of their future researches. We are confident of playing a pivotal role in providing services and expertise in value-adding to new development of innovation towards achieving the national aspirations of our knowledge-based economy,” added Ahmad Fauzi.

On the unique features of R-Entique, it consists of a singular holder with nine silicone tubes capable of holding nine endoscopes at any one time. Its colour-coded tabs enable the differentiation between dirty, being sterilized and already sterilised endoscopes. The silicone tubes can accommodatethe sterilizing fluids for simultaneous sterilisation, while its built-intimer records the soaking duration during sterilization.

The product is applicable as a convenient and effective apparatus, not only for storing but also for cleaning /sterilizing endoscopes at the same time, thus minimizing human error, time and cost. In addition, it is user-friendly and does not require technical professional to operate it.

On the business opportunities, the demand for endoscopy over the years had increased significantly because of the growing preference for minimally invasive surgeries. The technological advancements and breakthroughs in the field of endoscopy are expected to drive the global endoscopy equipment market in the coming years.

The global endoscopy equipment market is estimated at USD28.2 billion in 2013 and is expected to reach USD 37.9 billion by 2018, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2013 to 2018. North America holds the largest share of the global endoscopy equipment market, followed by Europe and Asia. However, the growth in the endoscopy market is likely to be focused on the fast-growing Asian region owing to increased healthcare spending, the increasing number of endoscopic surgeries; the improving endoscopic infrastructure, wide support for endoscopy-related research activities, etc.

TPME provides collaborative technology programmes leveraging on the full capacity of its expertise to support technology-based companies, SMEs, research institutes and universities in developing products and inventions through its advanced engineering facilities in areas of CNC machining, sheet-metal fabrication,  prototyping and product design.

Its precision engineering design and manufacturing solutions enable the local industry, especially SMEs, to produce high value-added products that enable customers to compete efficiently and effectively in the global market.