EMVision passes R&D milestone for portable stroke scanner, collects $600,000 funding

Brain imaging company EMVision Medical Devices has successfully passed a milestone in its five-year project in partnership with the Australian Stroke Alliance, releasing $600,000 in funding to further development of its portable scanning device.

In a statement on Monday, EMVision said the milestone activities were focussed on intelligence gathering for end-user requirements, including workshops with the Rural Flying Doctor Service, Ambulance NSW and Ambulance Victoria.

The product being developed is a second-generation version of EMVision’s brain scanner, which uses electromagnetic microwave imaging techniques to detect strokes at an early stage. 

It uses core technology from the company’s first-generation product — a hospital bedside version of the scanner — with new features including “a new hybrid antenna array, proprietary coupling cap and integrated neck, head and shoulder support” the company said.

“We have made important progress with the first responder version while working in parallel on our 1st Gen in-hospital device,” explained CEO Dr Ron Weinberger.  

“The extensive work done by our team will ensure that the device is fit for purpose and meets all the end-user needs, a critical part of the design process. We look forward to providing further updates on the achievement of our upcoming milestones for both devices in the near term.”

The five-year project has been awarded $8 million in funding from the Australian government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) program in partnership with the Australian Stroke Alliance (ASA.) Funding is released in a stage-gated approach, weighted towards earlier milestones.

Funding for the project was announced in September 2021.

EMVision listed on the ASX in 2018 and is a University of Queensland spinout, based on research by Professor Amin Abbosh and Professor Stuart Crozier.

Its technology is being developed as an alternative to CT and MRI scans for stroke detection. According to the company it can diagnose a stroke within minutes, fast-tracking intervention in the critical “golden hour” after the event.

Picture: credit EMVision

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