Sydney, July 23: EMVision (ASX: EMV), an innovative Australian medtech company, has just unveiled its First Responder Proof of Concept device—a backpack-sized brain scanner specifically designed for paramedics in road and air ambulances.
This lightweight device, under 10 kilograms, aims to dramatically speed up stroke diagnosis and treatment, especially in situations where traditional imaging tools like CT and MRI aren’t available.
Scott Kirkland, CEO and Co-Founder of EMVision, emphasized the importance of rapid stroke diagnosis. “We know that the fastest possible diagnosis and treatment lead to better outcomes and less disability for stroke patients. There’s a critical need for a portable, cost-effective, and easy-to-use device that can distinguish between ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes. We’re excited to revolutionize prehospital stroke care and make a substantial positive impact on this major cause of global disability.”
The First Responder device is an evolution of EMVision’s emu™ brain scanner, a trolley-mounted unit already in use in hospitals and rural emergency departments.
The emu™ combines ultra-high frequency radio signals with powerful AI to provide quick brain scans and stroke assessments. The new First Responder device is a more compact and lightweight version, with improved antenna coverage for comprehensive brain scans in a single go.
Professor Geoffrey Donnan, co-Chair of the Australian Stroke Alliance, highlighted the device’s potential. “Early results are promising, and the lightweight nature of the EMVision device makes it a strong candidate for use in prehospital stroke environments.”
Professor Stephen Davis, also co-Chair of the Australian Stroke Alliance, pointed out the significant weight advantage. “Validating this device’s ability to detect blood in stroke patients compared to the current gold standard, CT scans, is crucial. The new device, weighing about 10 kilograms, is a far cry from the 500 kilograms of a conventional mobile CT scanner.”
Dr. Lisa Murphy, CEO of the Stroke Foundation, noted the device’s potential to close the gap between regional and metropolitan stroke care.
“Quick diagnosis and treatment can mean the difference between life and death, or recovery and severe disability. This technology is critical in improving outcomes for stroke survivors, no matter where they live.”
Currently, the emu™ and the First Responder devices are under clinical investigation and are not yet available for sale or evaluated by global regulators like the FDA. EMVision plans to market the emu™ device next year, with the First Responder device to follow.
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