Bringing MRI closer to the patient to support faster and earlier detection of neurological deficits
Advanced MR neuroimaging acquisition and reconstruction at 0.5 T: Product development and clinical validation for use in image-guided therapy.
PROJECT METRICS
The Challenge
Canada continues to face some of the longest medical wait times in the world, with MRI access being a key bottleneck. In Ontario, only 36% of patients receive MRI scans within the recommended timeframe, with urgent cases waiting an average of 77 days—nearly triple the target. These delays can result in missed or late diagnoses, particularly in time-sensitive neurological conditions like stroke. Compounding the issue is the prohibitive cost and complexity of conventional MRI systems. Traditional high-field scanners (1.5T and 3.0T) cost millions of dollars and require specialized facilities to house and operate, limiting their availability to large, centralized hospitals and making them inaccessible for many smaller or rural healthcare settings.
The Solution – INOVAIT Project
Synaptive Medical is addressing this access and cost crisis with the development of Evry(™), a 0.5T point-of-care neuro MRI scanner that is compact, affordable, and easier to deploy. Supported by INOVAIT’s Focus Fund, the Synaptive MRI integrates artificial intelligence to accelerate image acquisition and enhance quality—making it ideal for acute imaging, neurologic scans, routine brain exams, and surgical planning. Clinical studies have shown the scanner produces images that are diagnostically equivalent to those from traditional 1.5T MRI machines, while outperforming CT scans in detecting critical pathologies such as stroke. With its ease of installation and diagnostic precision, it has the potential to decentralize MRI access, reduce wait times, and deliver faster, life-saving care closer to the patient.
Funding Type: Focus Fund
Year of Funding: 2022
INOVAIT Funding Amount: $1,420,692.49
Total Project Funding Amount: $4,262,077.47
Synaptive Medical
Synaptive Medical is a Toronto-based medical technology company spearheading integrated solutions for surgical imaging, navigation, and diagnostics. Synaptive designs advanced tools that span the entire continuum of care—from high-performance MRI systems to robotic visualization, surgical planning, and AI-powered analytics. Their innovations, including the compact and cost-effective Evry MRI system, are making cutting-edge imaging more accessible, reducing diagnostic delays, and improving clinical outcomes. Trusted by leading health systems worldwide, Synaptive is redefining what’s possible in image-guided therapy and personalized medicine.
"Working with the INOVAIT Network has had considerable impact on aiding us to further our research and development activities and opened up opportunities to develop new innovative approaches to image-guided therapy."
Cameron Piron
CEO
Synaptive Medical