World’s smallest camera helps surgeons act fast and save lives
When a stroke hits, every second counts. But in the race to find and eliminate the source of the problem, current x-ray techniques only go so far. Enter: a tiny camera that could transform the future of stroke treatment and prevention. Delivering a real-time view inside a patient’s blood vessels, history-making tech from Waterloo startup Vena Medical is helping doctors pinpoint and treat clots.
people worldwide have a stroke each year
(World Stroke Organization)
strokes are the leading cause of long-term disability
(American Heart Association)
of strokes result from blocked brain arteries
(Mayo Clinic)
What our camera does is allow doctors to see exactly what’s going on inside a blood vessel, providing information they’ve never had before.
Mechanical engineering graduates Michael Phillips (BASc ’17) and Phillip Cooper (BASc ’17) started Vena Medical as their fourth-year design project. This engineering project transitioned to a full-time venture through the Conrad Entrepreneurship option. Vena Medical is proud to be a Velocity startup.
Image credit: The Ottawa Hospital Foundation
World’s smallest camera
Designed to navigate veins and arteries to assist in stroke treatment, the MicroAngioscope is the world's smallest camera that lets doctors look directly inside the brain’s tiny blood vessels. This helps them see if a blockage is caused by a clot or a damaged part of the vessel. With a clearer view, doctors can choose the best treatment faster and more accurately, improving the chances of a better outcome for patients.
Technological futures
Technology continues to accelerate at an exponential pace, bringing both benefits and new challenges. The world is now demanding that innovators develop technology with greater responsibility and accountability. Building on our strengths in technology and innovation, Waterloo is advancing technology that shapes society – responsibly and sustainably.
Read on for more ways Waterloo is on it.
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