9 Examples of Hardware Startups Founded by Doctors

Montreal-based orthopedic surgeon Dr. Edward Harvey saw an urgent patient need to improve diagnosis of Acute Compartment Syndrome (ACS), a limb-threatening muscle condition that occurs within 48 hours of a trauma. MY01 is his solution: a real-time patient monitoring hardware device and companion application.

Fun Fact: My01 was selected as MedTech Top 50 Global Innovator.

Toronto-based Cardiologist Dr. Yair Feld co-founded Paragate Medical to develop his idea for an implantable device that would limit pathologic fluid overload, a major symptom of heart failure and kidney disease. The device works through continuous clearance of systemic congestion.

Fun Fact: Paragate Medical was selected as a MedTech Top 50 Global Innovator for its medical device.

Ottawa based dental surgeon Dr. Marc Lamarre saw an opportunity to improve dental charting and periodontal probing. The current methods use paper charts and a metal probe — the gold standard for over 120 years. Dr. Lamarre’s solution was a 3D voice-activated charting system and digital probe that he is bringing to market with help from Design 1st.

Fun Fact: Cumulus Dental is in the middle of clinical trials and plans to launch in 2019.

Harvard-educated, Toronto-based physician Julielynn Wong founded 3D4MD in 2011 to bring affordable medical tools to support medical care worldwide. The solution was a 3D printing system approved by Health Canada and the FDA that prints medical tools, supplies and equipment on demand, anywhere in the world - or space.

Fun Fact: 3D4MD was used on the International Space Station to 3D print a finger splint

Toronto-based cardiologist Dr. Brian Courtney saw an opportunity to use new medical image guidance systems to improve cardiovascular procedures to make common procedures faster and safer. The solution was an intravascular coronary imaging system that can visualize blood flow in 3D, giving a clear picture to the surgical physician.

Fun Fact: Conavi announced first clinical use of their technology in August 2018.

Ottawa-based pediatrician Dr. Matthew Bromwich knew the importance of endoscopy video for patient care and resident training but found getting access to video equipment difficult. The solution he invented was the Health Canada approved CLEARSCOPE Adaptor, an endoscope attachment that uses a smartphones HD camera.

Fun Fact: The CLEARSCOPE sells across the globe with distributors in every continent.

University of Ottawa educated physician Dr. Paul Lem was frustrated with the status quo of DNA analysis, a process that was slow, complex and expensive. Dr. Lem’s solution was to take DNA analysis out of the lab and into the clinic via a portable DNA analyzer device that could provide the same DNA results at a fraction of the cost.

Fun Fact: In 2018, Spartan’s CUBE provided a breakthrough in testing for Legionnaires Disease Bacteria.

Edmonton-based cardiac surgeons Dr. Darren Freed and Dr. Jayan Nagendran saw a major problem with organ transplants in Canada - wait lists were long and less than 25% of donated organs were suitable for transplant. The solution was to increase the amount of organs suitable for transplant through an innovative-thermal controlled medical device.

Fun Fact: Tevosol received $20 million  in Series A funding to bring the technology to market.