Leonard O’Sullivan is Professor (personal chair) in Human Factors and Ergonomics in the School of Design, and Funded Investigator (Confirm Smart Manufacturing Centre) of the Rapid Innovation Unit with University Hospital Limerick. He is a co-director of the Design Factors Research Group. His research interests include user centred design in medical device innovation, 3D printing and additive manufacturing in medical device design, ergonomics of musculoskeletal disorders, and human factors in worker robot collaboration.

Prof. O'Sullivan is a Fellow and current Chairman of the Irish Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (UK), Member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (USA), and Member of the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (UK).

Recent projects:

Rapid Innovation Unit (RIU) – A hospital based medical technology initiative focused on rapid innovation using 3d printing.

Solopep – A novel OPEP respiratory medical device to prevent recurrent infections and improve clinical efficacy

STaghGuard – A catheter securement device to prevent cather related complications

Xosoft – A soft lower limb exoskeleton to assist mobility in older age adults

Bioprint – Development of novel antimicrobial 3D printing materials

Publications

O’Sullivan, K., Power, V., Linnane, B., McGrath, D., Fogarty, H., Ryan, M., White, R., Noonan, C., Mulloy, E., O’Sullivan, L.W., and Dunne, C., 2021, An initial evaluation of the safety of a disposable oscillating positive expiratory pressure device in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A sort-term pilot study, BMC Pulmonary Medicine, 21, 326.

Guttridge, C., O’Sullivan, A., O’Sullivan, K.J. and O’Sullivan, L.W., 2021, 3D Printed Devices for Healthcare in Response to COVID 19 – Lessons Learned To-Date, 3d Printing and Additive Manufacturing, Published online ahead of print.

Kermavnar, T., Shannon, A., O'Sullivan, K.J., McCarthy, C., Dunne, C.P., O’Sullivan, L.W., 2021, 3D printing of medical devices used directly to treat patients: a systematic review, 3D printing and Additive Manufacturing, Accepted for publication, page numbers pending.

Kermavnar, T., Vries, A., de Looze, M., and O’Sullivan, L.W., 2021, Effects of industrial back-support exoskeletons on body loading and user experience: an updated systematic review, Ergonomics, 64, 685-711.

Shannon, A., O’Sullivan, K.J., Clifford, S. and O’Sullivan, L.W., 2020, A radiopaque nanoparticle-based ink using PolyJet 3D printing for medical applications, 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing, 7, 259-267.