Innovative Projects Realized

Social prescribing, allyship, and community engagement for the evolution of health (SPACE for Health)

Social determinants of health, including factors such as social isolation, food insecurity, and income, play a big part in our health. To account for these important social factors, some healthcare organizations have begun to adopt a strategy called social prescribing which involves regularly asking people if they need help with social determinant of health issues and connecting patients with community resources that can help. The small amount of research on social prescribing has generally found that it makes healthcare and patients better but, many healthcare organizations either don’t have or are not satisfied with their current social prescribing program. We will work with several healthcare organizations in stroke, diabetes, and family medicine to improve their current social prescribing programs and measure the impact this has on patient health. This program is expected to improve patient/community health and create a supportive community which are the goals of Compassionate Community Kingston Canada.

Portable and Handheld Near-Infrared Imaging Camera Utilizing Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies

The near-infrared imaging is a technique widely used in many medical applications, such as tissue imaging and non-invasive imaging of lymphatic systems. The market was estimated to be USD 950 million in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.1% to 2028. The conventional near-infrared system commonly employed is bulky and costly. To this end, we aim to develop a compact and cost-effective near-infrared imaging camera that everyone can have at home for regular screening of health conditions, which could potentially help early-stage cancer diagnosis. To keep the product cost low, we combine and leverage the mature semiconductor technology and advanced nanomaterials.

A computer vision system for the evaluation of swine welfare based on analysis of lesions on carcases

Human-caused bruises, tail lesions caused by tail biting, ear lesions, among other things, in slaughter pigs are detrimental to animal welfare, a violation of the Animal Welfare Act, and a source of public concern. Animal-based indicators of welfare are quantifiable characteristics on the animal that are reflective of what the animal has experienced. The evaluation of animal welfare indicators on swine carcasses could offer a cost-effective method to welfare analysis and quality assurance. In this project, we propose a system which will perform welfare assessing images from carcasses, obtained by camera installed in a slaughter. The purpose of this project is to develop a computer vision system that uses deep learning and indicators of welfare on swine carcasses to accurately inform about the welfare of swine on-farm, and the relationship between welfare indicators and total or partial condemnations.

Development of a culture process to expand and differentiate satellite cells, a first step en route to prototyping a cultivated bovine meat

This project consists of the first steps toward the development of a prototype of cultivated bovine meat and to produce at pilot scale. Starting from proprietary (Meatleo Inc.) bovine satellite cells, five (5) key objectives have been set: (1) To develop and validate a protocol, including a serum-free culture medium, to expand bovine satellite cells and to differentiate them into muscle fibers; (2) To develop and validate a protocol, including a serum-free culture medium, to expand bovine progenitor cells and to differentiate them into adipocytes.

AI-based interpretation of lung ultrasound

Lung ultrasound is an efficient and widespread method used in bedside diagnostic examinations. The interpretation of ultrasound in emergency care is an extremely difficult task, especially for less experienced physicians. The objective of the project is to implement and validate comprehensive AI-based approach using deep learning to assist in identifying diagnostically relevant imaging features and making diagnosis.

Datalink Processing System (DLPS) – Research and Development – Naval to Air Force Replatforming

The IBM DLPS software is used to provide an intelligent interface system that enables a ship’s Command System to interface to Tactical Data Links for the exchange of information with other friendly units. The DLPS software integrates the ship’s Command System data with the tactical networks of data links. IBM would like to expand and modernize the DLPS solution through the use of new technologies and improved software programming techniques. Our proposed research will develop a framework consisting of reverse engineering tools and methods to assist in the evolution of the DLPS software. IBM Canada sees potential benefits of this research work as improving maintainability, adaptability and contributing to a more robust architectural framework for DLPS and positioning the DLPS for renewed application within a new Force environment. An improved Canadian DLPS product increases commercialization opportunities for DLPS globally.

Development of a medical training mannequin for ultrasound-guided needle interventions

Achievement of competence in medical interventions requires practice, and early stages of practice are best done in simulation, typically using some combination of digital (computer generated) and physical (mannequin) models. The overall objective of the pro;osed MITACS Globalink project is to design, implement and evaluate a practical embodiment of the novel low-cost ultrasound-guided kidney intervention training mannequin applicable in computer-assisted medical intervention training systems.

Innovation tarifaire pour la diffusion du livre Notre ville permaculturelle

Fertiles est une jeune entreprise spécialisée en permaculture, un méthodologie visant à prendre comme modèle la nature pour créer un monde plus équitable et durable. Pour cela, Fertiles accompagne des organismes dans leurs projets socioécologiques via l’acquisition de connaissances en lien avec l’agriculture ainsi que des outils de gouvernance partagée, l’application du principe de tarifs équitables, la cocréation des designs écologiques dans des forêts nourricière, des communautés nourricières…

Fertiles est continuellement à la recherche de nouveaux moyens de se faire connaître. Aussi, Christelle Fournier, la fondatrice, offre des conférences dont un TedX sur les accords de réciprocité en avril 2022 et produit le balado les Permacultur’Elles. Elle a édité et coécrit le livre «Notre ville permaculturelle» sociofinancé en mai 2022, et sa promotion sera au cœur du projet. La version numérique du livre sera vendue via un tarif équitable. Cependant, ce genre de tarif novateur comporte quelques défis. Le projet aurait donc pour but de promouvoir cette initiative et le livre à sa juste valeur afin d’obtenir plus de ventes grâce à des actions promotionnelles (marketing digital, évènements…).

Flow-through uroflow for the assessment and management of lower urinary tract symptoms

Uroflow is an important tool in the urology clinic for assessing and managing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). These include things like urinating very frequently or difficulty with your stream. Uroflow typically involves urinating into weight-sensing collection vessel that records urine flowrate. Although non-invasive, these systems have limitations. Patients typically undergo testing in uncomfortable and unfamiliar environments, which can decrease accuracy of the test. Also, it requires cleaning between each use, which can lead to long wait times for patients. A toilet-attached, “flow-through” uroflow was designed to overcome these limitations and can be used by patients in any standard washroom. Urine flows through it and into a toilet, so there’s no clean-up necessary. The current study will assess the role of the “flow-through” uroflow device compared to the “traditional” uroflow device in the outpatient urology clinic, as well as survey patients and health care providers regarding their experience. Once complete, the “flow-through” uroflow device has the potential to reduce disruptions to clinician workflow, improve diagnostic accuracy through more representative voiding and enhance the patient experience through improved comfort, reduced test anxiety, and shorter wait times.

SSE-SABA-HECTOR-Poclid – : Diagnostic et recommandations afin d’améliorer l’efficience du personnel du Mouvement Desjardins dans le contexte de pénurie de main d’œuvre

L’entreprise où le stage professionnel sera effectué pour la direction principale du recouvrement de la Vice-présidence des Centres de services partagés (CSP). Le CSP fait partie de la Fédération des caisses Desjardins, une filiale du Mouvement Desjardins, à Montréal. En début 2020, une restructuration à l’interne a eu lieu où la Direction Recouvrement, Prêts, Caisses, étant auparavant sous une direction différente depuis plusieurs années, a intégré la Direction principale Recouvrement, Financement des membres et clients. Par conséquent, des priorités ont été établies pour le CSP pour en arriver à cette harmonisation, par rapport au développement des personnes, à la culture organisationnelle, à la productivité, à la libération des travailleurs de première ligne, à la rigueur ainsi qu’à la sécurité des membres, des clients et des employés. En fin, l’intégration de la Direction Recouvrement, Prêts, Caisses a engendré de nombreuses problématiques organisationnelles où plusieurs changements doivent être effectués concernant les processus opérationnels et les ressources humaines.

Voiture téléguidé via téléphone mobile sur réseau fermé 5G

Wallrus Creative Technologies s’associe avec le département réseau de Bell Canada, le bureau de la 5G de Bell, et le département des commandites, afin de développer un projet d’innovation technologique permettant l’optimisation de latence de toutes les composantes sur le réseau de Bell. L’objectif est d’obtenir un “stack” réplicable ayant une latence très basse et pouvant être répliqué ensuite pour plusieurs utilisations commerciales.

Un des défis majeurs dans l’obtention de latence basse est de s’assurer que chaque composante logicielle et d’infrastructure sur le réseau est optimisée. C’est un défi de taille dû aux différents manufacturiers et différents niveaux de dette technologique à travers l’infrastructure réseau.

Notre projet consiste à bâtir une réplique miniature du circuit Gilles Villeneuve et de permettre aux participants de contrôler des répliques 1:24 de voitures de Formules 1 avec leurs appareils mobiles via un réseau privé 5G à proximité, ou à distance. Nous visons à mettre en place un mode de contrôle hybride avec une station à proximité qui communique avec la voiture via 5G, et que cette station soit connecté via un Multi Access EDGE (MEC) 5G optimisé.

Evaluation of amendments for enhanced, in-situ bioremediation of hydrocarbon-impacted soil and groundwater

The overall goal of the project is to contribute to the advancement of safe and sustainable environmental remediation through increasing knowledge of catabolic processes occurring during bioremediation and how engineered amendments may enhance these processes. To achieve the overall goal, research activities will investigate catabolic processes involved in the bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon- (PHC) and organohalide- (OHC) contaminated soil, aquifer solids and groundwater enhanced by the application of amendments designed to stimulate or augment indigenous microbial communities. This research is specific to two contaminated urban sites, however, it is anticipated that the results of this research will be applicable to other industrial, commercial, residential, and brownfield sites across Canada.
For this collaborative research project, two Masters of Science (MSc) students at the University of Alberta (UofA) will investigate the above-mentioned bioremediation processes under the combined supervision of Dr. Miles Dyck (applicant) and Dr. Ania Ulrich (co-applicant). The students will receive hands-on training and gain experience developing and running both benchtop and field experiments, including making and implementing modifications to the experimental design as needed.