FIT supports 2 new life sciences projects

Gynecare+ and its innovative outfit to transform the experience of gynaecological examinations, TOCx and its digital platform for the care of patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorders, have received a FIT Impact Grant worth CHF 10,000.

GYNECARE+, an innovative garment to transform the experience of gynaecological consultations

Going to a gynaecological appointment is not always easy for women. According to an Ifop study, 6 out of 10 women have already given up going, for a variety of reasons: stress, embarrassment, shame, anxiety at the idea of being naked, cultural barriers, bad experience, and so on. Women ask themselves what is the best outfit to wear to the gynaecologist, with clothes that are easy to remove or that they can lift up so that they don’t end up completely naked. But this usually doesn’t work.

By developing GYNECARE+, an innovative garment for gynaecological examinations, Lirjeta Maxhuni is giving women the choice of covering themselves with the garment, thereby eliminating most barriers to a better consultation, guaranteeing comfort and privacy. With its strategic openings, the garment makes it easy to perform breast, pelvic and ultrasound examinations without the patient being completely undressed. The garment ensures warmth, discretion and optimum access for the doctor, redefining the standards of medical consultations.

Already supported by the H4, GYNECARE+ will use the CHF 10,000 FIT Impact Grant to carry out various tests in real-life conditions with gynaecologists and hospitals in order to develop the prototype garment before going into production.

TOCx: a digital platform for people with OCD

In the absence of an adequate mental health care system, many patients suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) face numerous obstacles, such as limited medical coverage, a shortage of specialist doctors and high therapy costs. As a result, patients do not receive appropriate treatment, which leads to a worsening of their symptoms and an increase in their anxiety. To date, only 20% of OCD sufferers are cured.

Led by Alexander and Ryan Chapuis, TOCx tackles the problem underlying these pitfalls, namely the lack of mental health services for chronic disorders such as OCD. Supported by the UCreate programme at Unil’s Entrepreneurship HUB, the solution they have developed takes the form of a mobile application, specially designed to provide accessible, personalised and ongoing support for people suffering from these disorders. Patients will have access to a genuine digital platform containing personalised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) exercises, symptom monitoring and virtual consultations with healthcare professionals. A way of reducing dependence on face-to-face therapies and overcoming obstacles such as long waiting times and high costs.

With the CHF 10,000 FIT Impact Grant, TOCx will be able to develop its application further by integrating new modules on psycho-education and mindfulness, while also adding video content and gamification functions.

Source: FIT
📸 TOCx, GYNECARE+