Government innovation award winners represent both the new economy and Oxfordshire's long-established industries, writes Maggie Hartford

The new economy is rubbing shoulders with traditional industries in Oxfordshire, judging by the line-up of companies which have won awards in a Government competition to reward innovative technology. The cyberworld is represented by Mindweavers, which could benefit children with speech difficulties, and the material world by Resonance Instruments, which could improve the diagnosis of heart patients using a new medical instrument.

The Department of Trade and Industry Smart awards are designed to support small companies which want to develop a new product or conduct a feasibility study to decide whether an idea is commercially viable.

Mindweavers, Oxford University's 21st spin-out company, received 45,000 to develop its "learning experience" software.

Based at the Oxford Centre for Innovation in Mill Street, Osney, it was set up by psychologist Dr David Moore, who has linked up with computer games developers, neuroscientists and teachers to develop a pioneering computer program to help children with hearing problems. He said: "We have developed a novel way to enhance people's sensory and motor skills. These skills are used both in everyday life, such as when you listen to someone speaking, and in more specialised tasks, such as learning a second language or improving sports performance."

Using computer games software, they are creating a rich learning experience which speeds up learning by settting new tasks according to the performance of the player.

Dr Moore, a Reader in Oxford University's Department of Physiology, added: "We are delighted to be selected for a Smart award. We can now focus on the development of optimum training techniques for the enhancement of language learning in children.

"The results should lead to improved and entertaining training that could benefit all children."

Resonance Instruments, of Thorney Leys Business Park, Witney, received 45,000 for its feasibility study into the design of a new magnet.

Research manager Dr David Simkin said: "Our existing instruments target specific applications such as measuring the fat content of chocolate, or the amount of oil in seeds. This new development will enable us to supply instruments to a wider range of applications." Dr Simkin added: "The company has been in the forefront of next-generation instruments since its inception, and this project will further enhance its abilities."

The company was set up in a garage eight years ago by four former Oxford Instruments employees, who set out to compete directly with their old company. It now employs 22 people, half of them ex-Oxford Instruments staff.

It has 2m annual turnover and exports 90 per cent of its products, having opened up a new market in China.

Bicester-based automotive electronics manufacturer Stack won 140,000 to develop a data-logging system for the motorsport industry.

Managing director Mr Alan Rock said: "This award allows us to develop a new innovative technology in a much shorter time scale than we would otherwise achieve.

"Stack operates in a highly competitive global market and I believe that this development will redefine the market requirement, as well as giving Stack a significant advantage over our international competitors."

Biotechnology company Ludger, based at the Biobusiness Centre for start-up firms at Littlemore Park, Oxford, won 45,000 for a glycotechnology feasibility study of a new way of analysing the complex glycans or sugars found on the surfaces on cells. Glycans play important roles in immunity, inflammation, reproduction, and diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.

Director Dr Daryl Fernandes said: "Our aim is to produce tools that allow analyses that were previously not possible. This would open the gateway to a new understanding of the roles that glycans play in the maintenance of health and the development of cellular diseases."

Bartington Instruments, of Witney, won 45,000 for a feasibility study into a magnetometer to diagnose patients with heart disease, to replace the superconducting quantum interference device (squid) magnetometer currently used in hospitals.

Technical sales director Mr Cyril Chapman said: "The current magnetometer is very expensive, requires liquid gas coolant for its operation and is prone to electrical interference. We aim to replace this with a smaller lower-cost version, MCG units would become less expensive and the technique could be more widely applied for medical research, non-contact patient monitoring and the diagnosis of heart disease."

Oxford Medical Image Analysis, based at the Oxford Centre for Innovation, won 58,000 to develop a new way to analyse heart patients' ultrasound scans. The money will be used to create software which promises to revolutionise medical imaging in cardiology, neurology and oncology. It provides objective information from images generated by ultrasound or MRI scanners, giving doctors a set of figures against which to assess their patients. Clinicians at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, are testing the software to ensure that it is "user-friendly".

Chief executive Dr Max Wilson said: "Doctors worldwide are under substantial cost and performance pressure. The Quamus system will help cardiologists get better information from ultrasound heart pictures and make more accurate diagnoses. Our tools mean that clinicians can make better use of the substantial investment in imaging equipment and achieve a better end result for their patients."

The award will cover design of an interactive viewing system which is quick and easy for cardiologists to use, demonstrations and some marketing.

The company's Ridgex software system, already available, can be used by neurosurgeons for brain tumours, where a CT scan and MRI image are both needed to provide information on the skull and the position of the tumour.

RIDGEX puts these two images together in 3D form so the tumour can be precisely located. It has already been used in clinical settings to plot the most accurate route for surgical access, reducing the risk of additional trauma and complications for patients. Dr Alison Noble, director of strategy, who runs the research at the John Radcliffe Hospital, said: "We are developing a completely novel and cost effective way to automatically analyse cardiac ultrasound images. The technology is aimed at equipping cardiologists with a user-friendly tool which will help them to make more accurate and better quantified decisions, and to improve diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and overall patient care.

She added: "We are delighted to be selected for the Smart award scheme. Our development project can now focus on developing the graphical user interface (GUI) and visualisation aspects of the prototype, which are fundamental to the successful acceptance of our technology in clinical practice."