A REVOLUTIONARY piece of medical equipment designed to save lives has been developed in Bolton.

Boffins behind the device hope hospitals throughout the UK and overseas will be queueing to buy the new machine.

The invention -- more than four years in the making -- is the result of a joint partnership between Bolton Institute and Manchester firm Smart Ideas (rSi). The two have formed a joint venture company to market the machine.

The equipment continuously monitors a patient's breathing and can alert nurses should a medical emergency occur. It is claimed it will make "a radical difference" to the health profession.

Advanced prototypes of the Pippa Breathing Monitor have been shown at exhibitions in Germany and Dubai. Mr Howard Convey, head of the institute's technology centre, said: "We have a proven track record in technology innovation, of working with local companies to develop and improve potential products.

"Together with rSi, we hope to have created a piece of medical equipment that could make a radical difference to the health profession."

The Pippa's design began in 1999 when the institute's electronic engineers worked with the Department of Emergency Medicine at Manchester university. Preliminary trials of an experimental breathing monitor were carried out at Hope Hospital's A&E department.

Results were so encouraging Bolton Institute joined forces with rSi to commercially develop the discovery through their new company called c-Lect medical Ltd. Further clinical trials at Rochdale Infirmary were also successful and in January last year, the new company received a Department of Trade & Industry development grant.