$60K going to two projects aimed at improving health care in Kingston

The projects were among 10 pitched to judges at UHKF's Discovery Den event.

Two innovative projects are getting funding from the University Hospital Kingston Foundation.

This was part of the foundation's Discovery Den event held on Nov. 13.

Modelled after the popular Dragon's Den and Shark Tank TV shows, the event saw 10 projects being pitched by staff at Kingston Health Sciences Centre in front of a panel of five judges. One of the judges was 102.7 WOW FM afternoon host, Sideshow.

The first project selected was the hospital's Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence program. It uses alternate light source technology to reveal subtle bruising, patterned injuries, and biological fluids in a non-invasive way. 

This will provide stronger forensic evidence that will help lawyers and police better prosecute the perpetrator. The project received $15,000.

The second project from Dr. Tracy Cupido, Dr. Glenio Mizubuti and Dr. Gregory Klar is a bone-enhanced ultrasound system that uses artificial intelligence to create real-time 3D spinal images in helping treat patients with chronic low-back pain. The technology eliminates radiation exposure from x-rays, reduce costs and allow more providers to perform spine procedures.

There is a human-trial phase involving patients that will be conducted at the Hotel Dieu Hospital site. That one got $45,000.

The ten projects being pitched all aim to  designed to transform patient care and strengthen health services across. The funding came from an innovation fund set up by KHSC physicians in 2016.

Sideshow says there were some amazing pitches that were very innovative and the work people do at the hospital is absolutely amazing.

Story by Ken Hashizume