In an exciting announcement that highlights the spirit of innovation in healthcare, three exceptional teams connected with Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) have been awarded the 2024 DRIVE Spark funding grants. These grants aim to support groundbreaking projects designed to revolutionize healthcare delivery and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

The DRIVE initiative, which stands for Dare, Research, Innovate, VenturE, is dedicated to turning innovative research from HHS into tangible medical technologies and solutions. This initiative strives not only to support novel ideas but also to transform them into viable commercial products that effectively address healthcare challenges.

Dr. Marc Jeschke, Vice President of Research and Chief Scientific Officer at HHS, proudly presented the grant winners during the celebrations for HHS Research Awareness Month in October. The selected projects, known as SixthSense, Power of Play, and Medloaner, stood out among numerous applications for their unique approaches to addressing critical issues in health care.

Each winning team has been awarded a grant of up to $50,000 to help them reach essential milestones in their respective projects and pave the way for future commercialization. Dr. Jeschke expressed gratitude to all participants, emphasizing HHS DRIVE's commitment to supporting innovative endeavors within the organization.

Advancing Fall Prevention with SixthSense

One of the standout projects, SixthSense, targets a serious concern among older adults—fall-related injuries. Statistics reveal that falls result in an emergency room visit every 11 seconds in Canada, with one death occurring every 19 minutes. The SixthSense team developed a groundbreaking radar sensor that can measure walking speed, which they refer to as the "sixth vital sign," in under six seconds. This rapid assessment tool enables healthcare providers to identify fall risks early and intervene promptly, enhancing the safety and independence of older individuals.

The team behind SixthSense includes renowned experts such as Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou, a geriatrician and professor; Dr. George Ioannidis, a biostatistician and associate professor; and Dr. Patricia Hewston, an occupational therapist. With the support of DRIVE Spark funding, they aim to integrate SixthSense into clinical settings shortly.

Reinventing Pediatric Physical Therapy with Power of Play

The innovative project, Power of Play, emerges from the creative minds of McMaster University engineering students Deena Al-Sammak and Rooaa Shanshal. Recognizing a gap in pediatric rehabilitation, they consulted with occupational therapists and uncovered the need for engaging tools to measure grip strength in children, who are often overlooked in physical therapy evaluations.

Current grip strength measurement tools are typically designed for adults, making them less effective for young patients. Armed with DRIVE Spark funding, Al-Sammak and Shanshal are set to refine their product, create a prototype, and prepare for clinical trials in collaboration with healthcare professionals at HHS McMaster Children’s Hospital.

Streamlining Surgical Processes with Medloaner

The final recipient, Medloaner, is a Hamilton-based company established by Alex Paton, Kyrylo Pogrebenko, and Aaron Donst. Their innovative solution leverages artificial intelligence to optimize the supply chain management of surgical kits, significantly enhancing how surgical devices are processed and managed within hospital systems.

By automating inventory tracking, sterilization, and equipment processing, Medloaner seeks to alleviate the manual burdens faced by clinical staff, ultimately saving time and reducing costs associated with surgical procedures. With DRIVE Spark funding, they are poised to develop this technology further, exploring how machine learning can enhance compliance, safety, and efficiency in surgical environments.

As HHS continues to foster a culture of innovation, these three projects serve as shining examples of how creative solutions can directly influence and improve healthcare delivery. Keep an eye on these promising initiatives as they move forward, potentially reshaping the future of patient care!