Stroke scanner hits the skies

The device, a portable lightweight RF scanner, will have the capability to diagnose the type of stroke a patient is having, opening the door for quicker triage, transfer and treatment decisions by health professionals, ultimately increasing the chance of a successful recovery.

RFDS team members have received preliminary training for using the proof-of-concept device and are currently conducting physical testing in remote locations via volunteer scans of healthy patients.

This device represents an opportunity to fundamentally transform stroke and traumatic brain injury outcomes for patients by delivering neurodiagnostic technology directly to the point of care, such as in RFDS air ambulances,” Australian Stroke Alliance Co-Chair Professor Geoffrey Donnan said.

“Urgent on-site brain imaging is a critical first step in the stroke treatment pathway.”