Cutting-Edge Neuro-MRI Technology to Set New Healthcare Standard

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

Novel point-of-care imaging technology from Synaptive Medical to increase patient access to MRI

January 7, 2019 – Halifax, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Developing new technology and adopting healthcare innovations to offer Canadians better access to medical treatment are key to improving lives, advancing standards of care and encouraging prosperity. Continuously looking for ways to capitalize on advances in diagnostic technology, the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) is acquiring a point-of-care magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine that will enable the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre (QEII) emergency department to get critical diagnostic information in a timely manner, resulting in better patient outcomes and increased healthcare efficiencies.

Evry™, a superconducting, dedicated head-MRI developed by Synaptive Medical, will be located in the Biomedical Translational Imaging Centre (BIOTIC) and will give the QEII emergency department direct access to the MRI, which was previously impossible. This project will enable the Evry™ and resulting treatments to be validated against the current standard-of-care and demonstrate its cost-effective impact on Nova Scotia’s health care system.

Today, Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency(ACOA), announced support to the NSHA and BIOTIC for this project.

The Research Nova Scotia Trust and Canadian-based Synaptive Medical Inc. are also providing funds to help acquire the new MRI console and its related equipment.

Today’s investment builds on the commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in Atlantic Canada through the Atlantic Growth Strategy. The Strategy supports targeted investments in initiatives that build on the region’s competitive advantages, including its growing innovation ecosystem and its skilled workforce.

Quotes

“Innovation that fuels collaboration between the federal and provincial governments and focuses on the commercialization of research to improve the quality of people’s lives is always a worthy endeavor. That is why the Government of Canada is committed to projects such as this one that will have far-reaching, positive impacts on the effectiveness of point-of-care technology in the healthcare system.”

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for ACOA

“The research team at the NSHA and the BIOTIC have a well-earned reputation of developing innovative technology that pushes the envelope on what is defined as acceptable standard of care. They embody a culture of innovation that sparks new ideas, helping organizations thrive and grow. I am proud our government has chosen to support their exceptional work.”

- Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax

“We are committed to creating a strong research and development environment in Nova Scotia – one that drives innovation and economic growth. This investment through the Research Nova Scotia Trust will put a state-of-the-art MRI in the QEII emergency department, providing healthcare teams with up-to-the-minute information about the patients they’re treating. Studying the impact of this new technology will help inform new ways of patient care. This is a great example of how targeted research investments can have a real and lasting impact in the lives of Nova Scotians.”

- The Honourable Labi Kousoulis, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, Nova Scotia

"Our collaborative partnership with Synaptive Medical will give Nova Scotian patients and clinicians early access to a completely novel MRI technology, and places the QEII Health Sciences Centre at the medical science frontier in innovating how neuroimaging is delivered in emergency care situations. Doing so represents an exciting opportunity to work with a leading Canadian medical technology company to not only drive innovation in diagnostic imaging, but to also translate that knowledge into the delivery of better healthcare for Nova Scotians.”

- Dr. Steven Beyea, Scientific Director, BIOTIC at the Nova Scotia Health Authority

“The Research Nova Scotia Trust is proud to support innovative research projects that allow us to attract and retain the very best research talent. This project is the first of its kind in Canada and will support ground-breaking work by some of the province’s leading researchers.”

- Dr. Colin Dodds, Trustee, Research Nova Scotia Trust

“Synaptive created Evry™ to address a critical need: existing MRI machines face siting requirements that severely limit their ability to reach patients at the point of care. We believe that our MRI holds the potential to help hospitals overcome the barriers that have previously prevented the routine use of MRI for patients in the Emergency Department and other areas of the hospital underserved by MRIs. We’re excited to partner with BIOTIC and NSHA on this exciting project.”

- Cameron Piron, President and Founder, Synaptive Medical

Quick facts

The Government of Canada is investing $700,000 in the point-of-care MRI through ACOA’s Business Development Program.
The Research Nova Scotia Trust has invested $1,260,160 in the project. The Trust was created by the Government of Nova Scotia to provide continuity of provincial research funding while Research Nova Scotia and the Research Opportunities Fund were established. Health research is a key priority.
Canadian-based Synaptive Medical Inc. is providing $1,368,825 of in kind support to help develop the advanced point-of-care MRI. Synaptive is a global medical device and technology company solving surgical, imaging and data challenges to improve the quality of human lives.
The combined funding will pay for renovations required to house the MRI at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, and to purchase the MRI magnet and accessories.
The NSHA provides health services to Nova Scotians and some specialized services to Maritimers and Atlantic Canadians. It operates hospitals, health centres and community-based programs across the province.
BIOTIC is a world-class imaging centre that is focused on the research, development and commercialization of new imaging products, processes and services.