Project Lead(s): Karim Karim
Issue
Much of the developing world has no access to x-ray technology for confirmatory diagnosis of tuberculosis, a disease that affects one third of the world’s population and was responsible for 1.7 million deaths in 2009.
Lack of case detection leads to the spread of this highly infectious disease.
Solution
Using new technology developed at the University of Waterloo and off-the-shelf components, the project team assembled a low-cost, digital x-ray detector system for the purpose of tuberculosis screening.
Outcome
A prototype of the device was developed that demonstrated a sensor that is more efficient than current medical x-ray technology.
This sensor can be built using the same facility and process as an LCD display, so it is ultra low-cost and ultra reliable.
This high-efficiency sensor is especially suited for pediatric imaging, where lowering the x-ray dose is critical.
The project team submitted a follow-on proposal to Grand Challenges Canada.
Product development is ongoing.
The project has received $45,000 from the Ontario Centres for Excellence, Medical Sciences Proof-of-Principle (MSc POP).