Belfast medical device company Heartsine Technologies Incorporated has secured a £3.2 million (€4.9 million) investment to accelerate the research and development as well as the marketing of portable cardiac defibrillators.

Cardiac defibrillators can provide immediate relief to victims of a heart attack. Northern Ireland venture capital firm Enterprise Equity led the investment round, which was supported by the Viridian Growth Fund, the University Challenge Fund and ACT.

According to its chief technical officer, Professor John Anderson, HeartSine Technologies is the first company to produce a portable version of the device.

"Many lives can be saved by quick defibrillation before professional medics can get to the scene," said Mr Anderson.

In the US, legislation requires the provision of such devices in designated public places.