London's hospitals and area researchers are getting seven new CT scanners thanks in part to a new partnership with Canon Medical Systems Canada.
The deal between the imaging giant, Western University, London Health Sciences Centre, and St. Joseph’s Health Care London was announced Tuesday. Through the partnership, Canon will give area scientists a $4.5 million dedicated research CT, Angio Suite, and a portable ultrasound machine to be used for medical imaging research.
Six new clinical CTs will be installed at London's hospitals - two at University Hospital, three at Victoria Hospital, and one at St. Joseph's Health Care.
“London has an international reputation as a leader in medical imaging, and today we are celebrating a partnership that will build on that foundation of imaging excellence,” said Dr. Narinder Paul, chief of the Department of Medical Imaging at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, LHSC and St. Joseph’s. “Thanks to Canon’s investment, we will, for the first time, have the same CT equipment being used for patient care as we are using for research.”
Being able to mirror the equipment that is used clinically means research findings can more quickly and readily be applied to patient care, according to Western officials. Researchers will use the new CT to find ways to improve patient safety through lower radiation doses and developing faster and more detailed imaging techniques.
A training academy and a Canon Medical National Centre of Excellence in London will also be established centering around the research CT. As new protocols are developed and validated at the London site, hands-on training will be provided for medical imaging teams from across Ontario, Canada, and the world.
“We expect this training to attract interest from medical learners and professionals internationally, and we will welcome them to London to learn from our clinical and research leaders," Acting Dean of Western's medical school Dr. Davy Cheng said in a statement.
CT scanners provide essential imaging for most medical and surgical emergencies and are the standard of care for routine assessment and evaluation of patients with a wide range of conditions including many cancers.