Ulster University and Belfast medtech company Axial3D are celebrating consecutive ‘Outstanding’ ratings from Innovate UK – the UK’s national innovation agency – for back-to-back Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) that combine AI and design expertise to transform innovation in orthopaedic surgery.
The projects focused on developing artificial intelligence (AI) systems to automatically design patient-specific instrumentation – precision 3D-printed tools that fit an individual’s anatomy and help surgeons cut, drill, or position implants with greater accuracy during procedures such as knee and hip replacements.
By combining AI and user experience (UX) design expertise, the collaboration makes these bespoke surgical tools faster and more cost-effective to produce, ultimately helping to democratise the technology and improve outcomes for patients.
In a unique setup, two KTP associates from Ulster University – one in artificial intelligence and the other in user experience (UX) design – worked side by side within Axial3D. This close collaboration brought together technology, design, and commercial thinking in a way rarely seen in KTP projects, helping to speed up innovation and embed new skills across the company.
The collaboration resulted in enhanced AI technology that can accurately identify key anatomical features in bone scans with high precision. Alongside this, a new user-friendly interface was designed, embedding UX expertise within Axial3D to create a framework that now underpins the company’s product strategy for its software.
Having recently secured $18.2 million in investment to further expand Axial3D’s medtech innovations, this partnership has further enhanced Axial3D’s growth and results have contributed to supporting major commercial contracts with global orthopaedics firms.
Tim Brundle, Director of Research and Innovation at Ulster University, said:
“This double KTP with Axial3D highlights how Ulster University’s research excellence and innovation partnerships are helping to advance Northern Ireland’s position in medtech. By combining expertise in AI and design, this collaboration has accelerated technological development and strengthened one of our most exciting and fast-growing companies.”
Dr Adrian Boyd from the School of Engineering at Ulster University said:
“This partnership shows how cutting-edge research at Ulster University can be translated into practical medical applications. By embedding our engineering expertise within Axial3D,we developed AI systems that automate complex surgical design tasks and deliver tangible benefits for surgeons and patients alike.”
Daniel Crawford, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Axial3D, added:
“Through this KTP, we’ve dramatically enhanced our in-house capabilities in a way that has transformed how we develop and deliver our products. The combination of AI and UX design has allowed us to automate processes, and make it easier for surgeons globally to interact and gain benefits from the results, further strengthening Northern Ireland’s position as a leader in medtech innovation.
Professor Justin Magee from Belfast School of Art, said:
“This collaboration was unique in bringing together two KTP Associates – one in AI and one in design – to blend technology and creativity in a single programme. It’s an approach that delivered genuine breakthroughs and earned our second ‘Outstanding’ rating alongside Axial3D from Innovate UK. As we begin a third KTP, we’re continuing to push the boundaries of how design can shape the way people interact with AI in healthcare.”
Combining engineering precision with creative design, the partnership between Ulster University and Axial3D has set a new benchmark for collaborative innovation. Its success has opened doors to further initiatives – including the transformative cross-border NWCAM2 (North West Centre for Advanced Manufacturing 2) project supported by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) – that continue to strengthen Northern Ireland’s global reputation in medtech and health technology.