Aus varsity to develop portable, non-invasive brain scanner

A new portable, non-invasive brain scanner is being developed in Australia to speed-up the diagnosis of brain injuries and stroke types by creating an immediate 3D image of the brain.
The device, being developed by University of Queensland and EMvision Medical Devices Pty Ltd with technology licensed to EMvision byUniQuest, UQ's commercialisation company,is expected to save lives and minimise brain damage and associated rehabilitation costs.
According to statement released by the university, the devicehas potential for use in emergency departments, ambulances and remote locations around the world, and could have the same life-saving potential as the widespread introduction of defibrillators did 20 years ago.

EMvision CEO John Keep, a former CEO of Queensland Diagnostic Imaging, said the device had the potential to disrupt the market as it was portable, low-cost and non- ionising, which meant it was safe for repeated use.
"It's powered by an innovative algorithm that maps the brain tissue using safe, low-power microwaves to produce 3D images in minutes," he said.
"In the case of stroke, the 3D image would enable medical professionals to quickly identify if damage is a haemorrhage or clot and to treat the patient accordingly, saving precious time."

Stroke kills more people each year than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. The difference between permanent disability or death and a positive recovery is timely diagnosis and treatment, Keep said.

"Every hour appropriate treatment is delayed, the brain ages by about 3.6 years."
EMvision is developing and commercialising the technology and refining its prototype to ensure it meets safety and efficacy requirements and integrates seamlessly into clinical pathways.
Keep said the scanner the result of a decade of research and development had the potential to be one of Australia's most successful university commercialisation stories.
UniQuest CEODean Moss said stroke cost Australia about USD 5 billion annually and early intervention improved survival rates and treatment outcomes.
"The portability, cost-effectiveness and safety of this device is a very attractive proposition for the healthcare industry, with potential for use in both hospitals and ambulances throughout the world," he said.

"It is also ideal for use in rural and remote areas. In Australia, rural and remote stroke patients are 20 per cent more likely to die than their metropolitan counterparts due to delayed diagnosis."
"This device could well have the same life-saving potential as the widespread introduction of defibrillators here 20 years ago."
EMvision is building its clinical device in partnership with UQ and Tiller Design and will be running a pilot clinical trial at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in 2018.
The scanner was developed by UQ Professors Amin AbboshandStuart Crozierand researchers from UQ'sFaculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology.