Halifax-based company develops new imaging goggles to increase accuracy, patient comfort in eye tests
May 16, 2019 - Halifax, NS - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Commercializing medical device innovations provides more comfortable, efficient and effective treatment options that improve the quality of life of Canadians. That is why the Government of Canada invests in companies like Eadie Technologies Inc. that work to advance Canada's healthcare offerings with new and improved technologies.
Determined to provide reliable ophthalmic diagnoses, Eadie Technologies is developing a device to analyze a patient's eye for more accurate and efficient results of vision deficiencies and diseases, like glaucoma. The device, which uses custom software, is a wearable set of goggles that can process sensitivity to light across the field of view to detect damage to the visual system and its progression early. The device is expected to lower costs to clinicians, reduce patient discomfort, ensure diagnosis is swift and treatments are effectively managed.
Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today announced $153,000 from the Government of Canada to Eadie Technologies Inc. to design and develop the device.
Economic growth and the creation of good jobs for Atlantic Canadians require innovation and diversification. Support for this project is one way the Government of Canada is working to help businesses scale-up, increase productivity and participate in the innovation economy. Projects like this also contribute to the Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.
"Canadians deserve better innovative treatment options. That is why Budget 2019 is investing significantly in projects like this one that leverage our healthcare innovations to achieve even greater impact through advances in life sciences. With commitment and action, Atlantic Canada can be a frontrunner for the country, and the world, in providing quality bio-innovations that attract investment and talent, advance our economy and provide better healthcare solutions to Canadians."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
"By reducing the margin of error in current vision tests, Dr. Eadie's game-changing technology has the potential to impact how glaucoma and other eye diseases are diagnosed and treated around the world. Not only will this device help with the accurate detection of eye disease, it will also improve the lives of thousands of Canadians suffering from existing conditions for which frequent tests are vital to properly manage their disorders."
- Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax
"We are very proud and excited to have the opportunity to develop a novel medical device in Canada with the generous support of ACOA. Our goal is to improve our ability to diagnose and monitor, and thus treat, potentially blinding eye diseases for Canadians and others around the world."
- Dr. Brennan Eadie, President & CEO, Eadie Technologies Inc.
Quick facts
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The Government of Canada invested $153,000 in this project through ACOA's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.
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Dr. Brennan Eadie, the inventor of the device, is an ophthalmologist specializing in the treatment of glaucoma.
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Glaucoma, defined by characteristic damage to the optic nerve and associated visual field damage, is the leading cause of irreversible blindness around the world.
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Visual field testing is required for both the diagnosis and the monitoring of glaucoma.
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Current visual field testing limits throughput, increases chances of false negatives, which screens out many patients for glaucoma and follow-up testing.
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The Business Scale-up and Productivity stream of the REGI program supports businesses at various stages of development, including high-growth firms, to accelerate their growth, help them scale up and enhance their productivity and competitiveness in both domestic and global markets.
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The REGI program continues to build on the objectives of the government's Innovation and Skills Plan.
