Innovation Anthology #333:

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A bionic hybrid is what Dr. Naweed Syed calls a new microchip that communicates with brain cells.

Developed by his group of researchers at the University of Calgary, Syed’s tiny chip may one day literally connect patients to cyber world around us.

DR. NAWEED SYED: For instance, you could have a sub-cortical implant which sits really on top of your head or close to your cochlear implant, very close to your ear. And then what it could do is actually it could detect, for example, seizure like activity in patients and the device could then call in your cell phone, informing you that you are about to have seizures. And it can also actually dial the health care personnel and send an ambulance and give them the exact location through a GPS system. So the applications are really many-fold, but they will have to be merged one by one.

Dr. Syed looks forward to the next iteration of the microchip which could manipulate cell communication in the brain. This could help patients reduce pain or addictive cravings all on their own without the use of drugs.

Thanks today to Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY
I’M CHERYL CROUCHER

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Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates (formerly Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions)

As the newly formed Alberta Innovates corporation, we still fund top quality, internationally competitive health research and innovation activities to improve the health and wellbeing of Albertans. We provide leadership for Alberta’s health research and innovation enterprise by directing, coordinating, reviewing, funding and supporting research and innovation.

Working with our many partners  in the health system, we ensure that research achieves innovation in care, policy and practice, and that the needs of patients and clinicians influence research.

Our background

Alberta Innovates consolidation was launched November 1, 2016.

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions was established as part of the Alberta Innovates system by an Act of Legislation of the Government of Alberta. It is a agency  of the Government of Alberta. We receive a yearly allocation from the Ministry of Health and report through the ministry to the people of Alberta.

Our Mandate and Roles document reflects our role and responsibilities and outlines the government statues and regulations with which we comply.

Alberta’s Health Research and Innovation Strategy (AHRIS) sets out Alberta’s health research agenda for the coming decade to ensure our considerable investments in research align with our priority—to improve the health of Albertans.

Program Date: 2010-08-24