A student invention using a banana and data imaging is helping to revolutionise healthcare education.

Suture Score, which claimed first place at TELHack in November, aims to improve the suture technique of surgical trainees.

The tool was created by a cross-institutional team from UCL School of Management, Oxford University and Imperial College.

MSc Technology Entrepreneurship student and Fulbright scholar, Tai Wei Lin said: “It’s a humbling experience to have so many talented people, passionate about improving healthcare education working together. Through the Masters programme, I’ve learned the importance of understanding customer needs before developing a product, and how to identify and embrace team dynamics from the outset.”

The online image recognition tool encourages surgical trainees to practice their suture skills on a banana, before uploading a photo of their work to the app which then provides instant feedback via image recognition software. While students receive tips on how to improve their performance, educators are able to objectively assess the quality of the suture.

The Suture Score team are now focusing on uptake and implementation, with the app soon to be piloted across the Manchester Healthcare System and the Royal College of Surgeons.

TELHack is an NHS Health Education England initiative aimed at innovating healthcare education and bringing together the UK’s leading developers, designers and industry experts.