Waterloo spinoff company KA Imaging is helping to improve health care diagnoses in remote areas with its advanced X-ray imaging technology.
Founded in 2015 by three Waterloo alumni from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering — Amol Karnick (BASc ’95), Sina Ghanbarzadeh (MASc ’14, in memoriam) and Dr. Karim Karim (BASc ’99, PhD ’03) — KA Imaging is built on one shared goal: to deliver significant social impact by advancing X-ray imaging technology.
The Reveal 35C, a dual-energy X-ray detector, is the company’s portable, cost-effective and high-quality alternative to traditional X-rays. It’s also the world’s first portable detector using spectral X-ray technology which draws information from the X-ray beam.
In partnership with Kenya Kids Foundation Canada and Hope International, KA Imaging has introduced the Reveal 35C at the Village of Hope Hospital in Kenya, seven hours away from Nairobi. In just one week, the Reveal 35C helped doctors diagnose six cases of tuberculosis and, because of its portability, was shared with other clinics and rural hospitals.
“This technology is particularly useful because, in some cases, it has potential to eliminate the need for CT scans,” said Karim, a professor in electrical and computer engineering. “Traditionally, if something isn’t visible on an X-ray, a CT scan is required. However, with the Reveal 35C’s spectral technology, lesions can become more visible and patients can potentially avoid CT scans, which is crucial in areas where access is limited.”
KA Imaging is based in Waterloo, employs over 50 employees and has products in use in 10 countries across three continents, offering innovative solutions for medical, industry and veterinary applications.
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