Partnership with Canon Medical means faster translation of imaging research from bench to bedside

Building on established excellence in medical imaging, Western University and London’s academic teaching hospitals, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), and St. Joseph’s Health Care London announced today a unique partnership with Canon Medical Systems Canada in advanced Computed Tomography (CT) that will advance patient care, research and teaching in Southwestern Ontario.

New partnership means investment of $4.5 million

This new partnership includes the investment of a $4.5 million dedicated research CT, Angio Suite and portable ultrasound machine to be used for medical imaging research. London will also become home to the world’s largest installation of the most advanced CT platform from Canon Medical.

“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, Chair/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.”

Essential imaging for most medical, surgical emergencies

CT is used to provide critical diagnostic information through combination of thousands of ultralow dose, high resolution X-ray images to create cross-sectional images of the brain, the heart, lungs, abdominal and pelvic organs, and of the blood vessels. CT provides essential imaging for most medical and surgical emergencies and is the standard of care for routine assessment and evaluation of patients with a wide range of conditions including many cancers. CT is also used to guide interventions for diagnosis through obtaining tissue biopsies, and is used to guide minimally invasive treatment.

Because the research CT will exactly mirror the equipment used clinically, it will allow researchers to more quickly and readily apply their research findings to patient care. The research in London will focus on improving patient safety by finding ways to lower radiation dose, developing faster and more detailed imaging techniques, and personalizing the patient experience.

“Having the Canon equipment installed at Robarts Research Institute will allow our scientists to use innovative approaches to take the technology to a new level. We are very excited to be part of this initiative that will ultimately translate into improved patient care,” said Marlys Koschinsky, PhD, Scientific and Executive Director of Robarts Research Institute at Western.

Opportunity to establish training academy

 The partnership with Canon Medical also provides the opportunity to establish a training academy and a Canon Medical National Centre of Excellence in London. As new advanced CT protocols are developed and validated here, hands-on training will be provided for medical imaging teams from across the province, the country and the world.

“As Southwestern Ontario’s only medical school, we are very pleased that the partnership also provides for the establishment of a training academy,” said Dr. Davy Cheng, Acting Dean, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University. “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.”

In addition, LHSC and St. Joseph’s are acquiring six clinical CTs to be used for patient care, which will standardize all of the CT equipment at London’s hospitals. Two will be installed at University Hospital, three at Victoria Hospital and one at St. Joseph’s.

Standardization of all CT equipment at London hospitals

“The investment in these six new machines means a standardization of all CT equipment at London’s hospitals, and more importantly, ensures we will have the best available technology for patients – offering lower radiation doses with each scan, and producing higher resolution images enabling more precise detection and diagnosis,” said Dr. Paul Woods, President and CEO, London Health Sciences Centre.

“London is renowned for its excellence in imaging and has been at the forefront of significant advancements in technology, clinical translation and training over many years. We have been a city of numerous national firsts in imaging dating back decades. Today we take that excellence to a new level with an exciting and innovative partnership that will advance health care, teaching and research in our city,” said Dr. Gillian Kernaghan, President and CEO, St. Joseph’s Health Care London.

Following installation, further research to validate use and drive innovations can be done effectively and efficiently within the clinical setting, done by hospital-based researchers through Lawson Health Research Institute, the research institute of LHSC and St. Joseph’s. “London’s integrated health care and research community is well-positioned to make the most of this opportunity, which ultimately means we can continually improve care for the patients and families that we serve,” said Dr. David Hill, Lawson Scientific Director and Integrated Vice President, Research for London’s hospitals.

Media contact

Crystal Mackay, Media Relations Officer, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, t. 519.661.2111 ext. 80387, c. 519.933.5944, @email @CrystalMackay

About Western University

Western University delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.

About The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University is one of Canada’s preeminent medical and dental schools. Established in 1881, it was one of the founding schools of Western University and is known for being the birthplace of family medicine in Canada. For more than 130 years, the School has demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and a passion for scientific discovery.

About London Health Sciences Centre

London Health Sciences Centre has been at the forefront of medicine in Canada for 142 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, the Kidney Care Centre, two family medical centres, and two research institutes – Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute.

As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 70 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital’s nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit http://www.lhsc.on.ca

About St. Joseph's Health Care London 

Renowned for compassionate care, St. Joseph’s Health Care London is a leading academic health care centre in Canada dedicated to helping people live to their fullest by minimizing the effects of injury, disease and disability through excellence in care, teaching and research.

Through partnership with Lawson Health Research Institute and our collaborative engagement with other health care and academic partners, St. Joseph’s has become an international leader in the areas of: chronic disease management; medical imaging; specialized mental health care; rehabilitation and specialized geriatrics; and surgery. St. Joseph’s operates through a wide range of hospital, clinic and long-term and community-based settings, including St. Joseph’s Hospital; Parkwood Institute; Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care; and the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care. 

About Canon Medical Systems Corporation

Canon Medical offers a full range of diagnostic medical imaging solutions including CT, X-Ray, Ultrasound and MR, across the globe. In line with our continued Made for Life philosophy, patients are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to provide medical professionals with solutions that support their efforts in contributing to the health and well-being of patients worldwide. Our goal is to deliver optimum health opportunities for patients through uncompromised performance, comfort and safety features.

At Canon Medical, we work hand in hand with our partners - our medical, academic and research community. We build relationships based on transparency, trust and respect. Together as one, we strive to create industry-leading solutions that deliver an enriched quality of life. For more information, visit the Canon Medical website: https://global.medical.com

About Canon Medical Systems Canada

Canon Medical Systems Canada, a Canon Group company headquartered in Markham, Ontario, provides patient-focused imaging technologies with specialties in CT, X-Ray, Angiography, Ultrasound and MRI for the Canadian market. Advanced service solutions range from single-room coverage to complete asset management programs. Our team-centric Canadian organization is committed to our Made for Life philosophy. For more information, visit the Canon Medical website: ca.medical.canon

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