Augmented Reality can help in simplifying the filmmaking process by intelligently suggesting shot composition angles for amateur filmmakers to take better shots. In partnership with Rubber Match Productions, researchers will investigate how actors within an AR filmmaking environment can be dynamically tracked to provide real-time guidance to the filmmaker for shot composition. The project will utilize latest advances in artificial intelligence and computer vision to track actors in real-time through videos.

This project will focus on the design, fabrication and testing of an annular array-based histotripsy transducer that will improve the combined ultrasound imaging and therapy endoscopic device currently in development at Daxsonics. Histotripsy is a method of focusing high intensity ultrasound waves to liquify tissue and is a promising new method of accurately removing tumors with much less damage to surrounding tissue than current methods. This device will be part of a surgical suite for minimally invasive neurosurgery, enabling removal of tumors with extremely high precision.

The research project undertaken by the intern is to investigate the relationship between inflammation and temperature, use that knowledge to define thermal metrics and develop a standard operating procedure for 3D thermal body imaging. During the project the intern will build a phantom to evaluate and optimize the performance of a commercially available 3D thermal imager for the identification, characterization and localization of inflammation.

Many seniors are spending their time lying in bed or sitting in recumbent chairs because of chronic conditions that limit their mobility. It is crucial to assure that their position is changed regularly to prevent bedsores. Therefore, a monitoring system is required to not only remind the caregivers or family members to reposition the patients regularly but also to have a minimum interference with the patients’ normal lifestyles.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), is a chronic debilitating lung disorder that affects thousands of Canadians and millions of individuals worldwide. The signs and symptoms of IPF often overlap with other common respiratory illnesses making a definitive diagnosis of this disease difficult. As a result, patients are frequently misdiagnosed and treated with inappropriate therapies. As such, there is a unmet clinical need to develop blood-based biomarkers for the confirmation of IPF to minimize the incidence of misdiagnosis.

Heart failure (HF) is the third most common reason for hospitalization in Canada, where, the direct health care costs of HF are $2.8 billion. HF affects 600,000 Canadians with median survival of only 1.5 years after diagnosis. HF patients stay longer at hospital. Even after discharge, 1 out of 5 of patients returns to the hospital within a month. The major complaint of HF patients is shortness of breath due to extra water in their body and lungs. Thus, monitoring of body water is an important challenge in HF, especially at home settings.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s with cerebrovascular disease (AD-CVD) are the two most common types of dementia in elderly population. Differential diagnosis of dementia type in early stage is challenging due to overlapping symptoms and mixed etiologies. Current diagnostic techniques are invasive, expensive, or lack independent validation. An early detection of dementia type helps enabling better personalized treatments. Electrovestibulography (EVestG) showed promising preliminary results in early detection of dementia types.

Computational optics is the integration of algorithms to enhance optical imaging and exceed its physical limitations. The principles of computational optics can be used in microscopy by implementing programmable illumination to control the application of light onto tissue. MTT Innovation Inc.’s Light Steering Projection technology uses laser illumination, spatial phase modulation, and image processing algorithms to direct light from dark regions to brighter regions that require more light. This improves the dynamic range and contrast levels of resulting images.

No matter how many COVID-19 clinical tests are done, current methods suffer from serious limitations. Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic individuals, who are usually missed during routine clinical testing, prevent governments from getting accurate rates of COVID-19 infection, delaying public health responses. Global and domestic research confirms that COVID-19 can be reliably detected in the feces of affected individuals including those with mild to no symptoms – an area where clinical tests fall short.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality internationally. Current CVD diagnostics are limited to basic tools that provide a generalized number without quantitative indication of overall health, such as blood pressure, or lifestyle risk scores. More invasive diagnostic imaging can be done, but at great cost to the healthcare system. We have developed a basic optical device capable of non-invasively studying the cardiac pulse-waveform, thus potentially allowing for direct measures of cardiovascular risk and health.