EMVision (ASX:EMV) has today shared that its First Responder Proof-of-Concept (PoC) device has taken to the skies in successful aeromedical environment testing. 

A series of volunteer scans with EMVision’s First Responder PoC device have been carried out in remote settings in collaboration with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and the Australian Stroke Alliance. RFDS staff received preliminary training in the operation of the device and the scans were successfully completed with the device demonstrating an ability to withstand the physical stress, environmental conditions and operational constraints unique to aeromedical retrieval.

The First Responder device represents an opportunity to fundamentally transform stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes for all patients, regardless of their location, by delivering sophisticated neurodiagnostic technology directly to the point of care. “Time is brain” in both stroke and TBI care, meaning that the longer a stroke or bleeding goes untreated, the more brain cells die. Rapid triage, transfer and treatment decisions are critical to minimise brain damage, disability, and death.

An ethics application has been submitted and is under review, under which RFDS staff will enrol and scan patients in a usability and workflow implementation study in the coming weeks. The study involves a collaboration of RFDS, South Australia Ambulance Service’s (SAAS) emergency retrieval service MedStar, South Australia Health’s Rural Support Services, the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the Australian Stroke Alliance. The study will evaluate the device’s usability, reliability, functionality, workflow metrics and other tests as necessary to meet user and international regulatory requirements.

Zoe Schofield, National Stroke Project Manager for Aeromedical Retrieval, Royal Flying Doctor Service, commented “It’s incredibly exciting to see this project come to life with the first successful test of the scanner’s array in a remote setting, a major step toward bringing rapid stroke assessment to aeromedical retrieval and rural and remote communities.”

Co-chair of the Australian Stroke Alliance, neurologist Professor Geoffrey Donnan AO, commented “The Australian Stroke Alliance is pleased to see these trials of the First Responder after years of design and development of this world-first brain imaging device. Patients in rural and remote locations experience 17 per cent more strokes than urban dwellers and receive less specialist stroke care due to the challenges of transport and distances to be travelled. Urgent onsite brain imaging is a critical first step in the stroke treatment pathway. The RFDS and EMVision have an essential role to play as we prepare to take urgent stroke care to rural patients.”

EMVision CEO, Scott Kirkland, commented “We are thrilled to have successfully taken the EMVision First Responder PoC device into the field for the first time. We are grateful for the support of our collaborators, including valuable expertise and guidance from RFDS and ASA. These studies are a key step in the development program of the EMVision First Responder device and learnings generated will inform progress from our current advanced prototypes to production equivalent commercial units. We are excited by the opportunity to have a substantial positive impact in the reduction of the global burden of stroke.”